I love you Anne Lamott and I was with you until you got to shopping with Target. While consumerism is the fabric of America - our dollars (along with our voices) are our power. Please stop feeding the corporate beasts - buy local, thrift and barter. Let's remember that the multi-billion dollars corps are the ones subsidizing this monster president and regime. Walks in the rain can be lovely too.
Especially Target! I joined the Black churches' protest last Lent after the Target DEI cave and extended my boycott when it continued after Easter. I miss shopping there but not sure they will ever get me back. Costco is doing the right thing! But I'm with you -- stop feeding the corporate beasts!
I do have to agree with Lisa here. Target “bent the knee “ to Trump and so I no longer do business with them - or Amazon , or Facebook, etc. it may hurt me more than them (a drop of water in the desert), but it’s not nothing!
My reply as well, Lisa. In end stage capitalism our choice is our power. Costco, Barnes & Noble, local businesses. I enjoy giving them my business - and they appreciate me.
Wow! How sad that so many seem to have chosen to expose their moral superiority gene and missed the beautiful and ever so timely lesson. Oh how I long to be as perfect as you all.
I would not mind being happy at all. For many reasons, and one of them as a sign of resistance to the powers which are trying to make us all miserable and helpless. There is a winery nearby (Bully Hill Vineyards) in New York's Finger Lakes. They lost name rights to Coca-Cola, after which they created a label featuring an orange goat with his tongue sticking out. Above him a line read, “they have my name & heritage, but they didn’t get my goat”. So, a big fat no to this nonsense and a big fat yes to joy and happiness! They took a lot, but they will not get my goat.
Thank you for being exactly who you are. Honestly I feel so lucky to live in the same time as you, Anne. To have your words live and in the moment, especially a moment such as this when everything feels flipped upside down of right, is a balm to my worried soul. Thank you. _____ New Year to you, beloved one.
Thank you lovely. As my son reminded me it’s good to take a walk in the rain every once in a while. I too miss the few things I could purchase at Target but have been boycotting. Peace
I like the humility that comes with not doing everything “right.” I’m a shopper who has boycotted Walmart since its inception; that is until I found that it’s the main place to charge our EV as we travel the US and the only place to walk during charging in Phoenix when it’s 115 degrees out. I shop at Costco and at Lowes instead of Home Depot. I boycott Hobby Lobby and Chickfillet. I still shop at Target because they used to be a good DEI hirer and i believe in some loyalty. We each make conscious choices. I trust those reading this Substack site to do that well.
Anne, you are always just what I need when I need it. Wishing you a New Year that lands gently and is full of all the promise we know is there if our better angels can extinguish the darkness.
As ever, your honesty is refreshing, relatable, dear Anne.
A Courageous, Positivity-Determined 2026, to you and your devotees.
After all, to be intimidated by the numbers on a calendar is a bit silly, no?
Also to doubt that our Real Intelligence ("God") is not able to deal with the confused (polite word for insane) toddler in the white house, is agreeing not to trust It. Mistake.
We all really do know that we see-what-we-believe-and believe-what-we see. (As Plato so wisely observed 1400 years ago.)
This flip of the Calendar, my effort will be to refer much much much more often to my Real Intelligence...our divine Intelligence... and let this One guide my conclusions.
I love you too, and I always look forward to hearing your reflections. I, also, am a very anxious
creature, as is everyone in my family. So I relate well. Yes, oxygen, letting new thoughts in.
We win the mid-terms. We impeach the beast. Or he goes to his great reward in the sky...he's not happy down here anyway. Epstein is not going anywhere. Even if he involves us in new, ridiculous conflicts. I am proud of ourselves for surviving 2025. No matter what.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is unpleasantly startled at the forced gaiety of "Happy New Year!" lobbed at me by otherwise seemingly reasonable strangers. I too have faith in the good and the real in the world, in the lovingkindness of framily and community. But I am likewise absolutely nauseated by fear of the regime, and climate change, and all manner of diseases traversing our little world. And as much as I am loath to admit it, your husband is right: I went for a walk with my dad, and I feel much better than I did half an hour ago, though not as well as I will feel when the light returns in March or April and people have finally stopped exhorting me to Have A Happy New Year And Make This A Good One, as if I am in charge of the Departments of Bad Things Happening To Good People (bad enough) and Good Things Happening To Evil Mofos (even more baffling). When, really, it is just another Thursday, and I'm pretty sure I'm still the exact same person I was yesterday, so this is going to have to be good enough for going on with. Perhaps we could convince a few people to dial it back to Have A Year! Or even just Have A Day, which is quite a gift, actually, and, to be honest, still more than I can manage all on my own. I wish us all a day today, and I hope that it is peaceful.
I started using Glimpses of Grace (L'Engle with Chase, 1996) to help my daily (not so daily) attempt at meditation. Like you, L'Engle is willing to convey her lack of understanding about many things in this life. After a few days of following this meditation journey, I find my thoughts often begin with my lack of understanding. I have read many of your publications and heard you speak in Denver many years back. Thank you for your transparency, your willingness to share your conundrums. I glean gems of wisdom that spark courage.
The Quakers have a saying, I hold you in the Light🕯️. Let's look for the light in each other.
I love you Anne Lamott and I was with you until you got to shopping with Target. While consumerism is the fabric of America - our dollars (along with our voices) are our power. Please stop feeding the corporate beasts - buy local, thrift and barter. Let's remember that the multi-billion dollars corps are the ones subsidizing this monster president and regime. Walks in the rain can be lovely too.
Especially Target! I joined the Black churches' protest last Lent after the Target DEI cave and extended my boycott when it continued after Easter. I miss shopping there but not sure they will ever get me back. Costco is doing the right thing! But I'm with you -- stop feeding the corporate beasts!
Yes - sweet Anne, maybe take your walk at Costco! ;)
Or, do what I do: join your local Buy Nothing group. When you pick up free things that people have to offer, walk to their houses and back.
I do have to agree with Lisa here. Target “bent the knee “ to Trump and so I no longer do business with them - or Amazon , or Facebook, etc. it may hurt me more than them (a drop of water in the desert), but it’s not nothing!
I love your writing Annie. ❤️
Agreed! And if enough of us do that, our collective little ripples can really start to change things.
Lisa, that Target mention upset me too.
Leave her alone. You missed the point of the piece.
My reply as well, Lisa. In end stage capitalism our choice is our power. Costco, Barnes & Noble, local businesses. I enjoy giving them my business - and they appreciate me.
Wow! How sad that so many seem to have chosen to expose their moral superiority gene and missed the beautiful and ever so timely lesson. Oh how I long to be as perfect as you all.
My thoughts exactly. Loved it all except for the reference to Target. DEI bailers.
Thank you, Anne Lamott. Yes, courage is fear that has said its prayers. May 2026 be full of courage for everyone.
I would not mind being happy at all. For many reasons, and one of them as a sign of resistance to the powers which are trying to make us all miserable and helpless. There is a winery nearby (Bully Hill Vineyards) in New York's Finger Lakes. They lost name rights to Coca-Cola, after which they created a label featuring an orange goat with his tongue sticking out. Above him a line read, “they have my name & heritage, but they didn’t get my goat”. So, a big fat no to this nonsense and a big fat yes to joy and happiness! They took a lot, but they will not get my goat.
Thank you for being exactly who you are. Honestly I feel so lucky to live in the same time as you, Anne. To have your words live and in the moment, especially a moment such as this when everything feels flipped upside down of right, is a balm to my worried soul. Thank you. _____ New Year to you, beloved one.
Thank you lovely. As my son reminded me it’s good to take a walk in the rain every once in a while. I too miss the few things I could purchase at Target but have been boycotting. Peace
Hello
Go for your walk in the rain. ♥️
“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” And so we move into 2026. I would say not only with prayers, but action.
I like the humility that comes with not doing everything “right.” I’m a shopper who has boycotted Walmart since its inception; that is until I found that it’s the main place to charge our EV as we travel the US and the only place to walk during charging in Phoenix when it’s 115 degrees out. I shop at Costco and at Lowes instead of Home Depot. I boycott Hobby Lobby and Chickfillet. I still shop at Target because they used to be a good DEI hirer and i believe in some loyalty. We each make conscious choices. I trust those reading this Substack site to do that well.
Anne, you are always just what I need when I need it. Wishing you a New Year that lands gently and is full of all the promise we know is there if our better angels can extinguish the darkness.
Seize the day and welcome 2026! ❤️💪🏻🙏🏻
As ever, your honesty is refreshing, relatable, dear Anne.
A Courageous, Positivity-Determined 2026, to you and your devotees.
After all, to be intimidated by the numbers on a calendar is a bit silly, no?
Also to doubt that our Real Intelligence ("God") is not able to deal with the confused (polite word for insane) toddler in the white house, is agreeing not to trust It. Mistake.
We all really do know that we see-what-we-believe-and believe-what-we see. (As Plato so wisely observed 1400 years ago.)
This flip of the Calendar, my effort will be to refer much much much more often to my Real Intelligence...our divine Intelligence... and let this One guide my conclusions.
Amen
☺️💖
I love you too, and I always look forward to hearing your reflections. I, also, am a very anxious
creature, as is everyone in my family. So I relate well. Yes, oxygen, letting new thoughts in.
We win the mid-terms. We impeach the beast. Or he goes to his great reward in the sky...he's not happy down here anyway. Epstein is not going anywhere. Even if he involves us in new, ridiculous conflicts. I am proud of ourselves for surviving 2025. No matter what.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is unpleasantly startled at the forced gaiety of "Happy New Year!" lobbed at me by otherwise seemingly reasonable strangers. I too have faith in the good and the real in the world, in the lovingkindness of framily and community. But I am likewise absolutely nauseated by fear of the regime, and climate change, and all manner of diseases traversing our little world. And as much as I am loath to admit it, your husband is right: I went for a walk with my dad, and I feel much better than I did half an hour ago, though not as well as I will feel when the light returns in March or April and people have finally stopped exhorting me to Have A Happy New Year And Make This A Good One, as if I am in charge of the Departments of Bad Things Happening To Good People (bad enough) and Good Things Happening To Evil Mofos (even more baffling). When, really, it is just another Thursday, and I'm pretty sure I'm still the exact same person I was yesterday, so this is going to have to be good enough for going on with. Perhaps we could convince a few people to dial it back to Have A Year! Or even just Have A Day, which is quite a gift, actually, and, to be honest, still more than I can manage all on my own. I wish us all a day today, and I hope that it is peaceful.
Thank you Anne, you really, really, are a light for us 🕯️
I started using Glimpses of Grace (L'Engle with Chase, 1996) to help my daily (not so daily) attempt at meditation. Like you, L'Engle is willing to convey her lack of understanding about many things in this life. After a few days of following this meditation journey, I find my thoughts often begin with my lack of understanding. I have read many of your publications and heard you speak in Denver many years back. Thank you for your transparency, your willingness to share your conundrums. I glean gems of wisdom that spark courage.