One hears wise and evolved spiritual teachers and their students say with confidence that you can’t have faith and fear at the same time, and I think that is very nice, and I wish it was true for me.
Thank you for being the person that all your life stories created.
I turned 80 this year.
Like you, I learned the hard way as I progressed through early adult times. And, stumbling blindly, I met some terrific people, saw and heard extraordinary things and eventually became the person I could assume as an acceptable Me.
But, I believe that, as for the constant underlying fear; it was really my soul's Mentor, Or Holy Spirit, or Guardian Angel. Whatever. A kernel planted early that grew into a protective armor: "Jesus loves me."
That was my gauge. "If I did this- would it be forgivable? Could I make up for that?" For intentional decisions.
Or, Take me home." for the heading over the cliff times. Basically clueless but braver.
I'm a long time disciple of yours. You "did" Life. You shared it with us. And you made us strong. Thanks.
When someone says, "I didn't want to bother you," it makes me want to scream. I am helped at least as much as the one who calls. This is my go-to when I need support. It's what keeps me sober and (somewhat) sane. May good prevail, and may evil take a hike.🙏🏼💖
I love you Anne Lamott! I remember when I read Bird by Bird. It saved me in ways only the written word can. When I read your words, I breathe easier more deeply. I come home to myself. I’m in recovery. I feel a connection to you. I’ve heard your friend Father Tom speak several times and he spoke of you so fondly. I don’t know if you will read this comment but I just wanted to say Thank you 🙏🏼
I’ve been unable to participate in life for a number of days - an excruciating sore throat, headache, etc. (NOT COVID) has kept me in my bed. And what brought that on was anxiety pure and simple and trying to push through it no matter what. I see this time as an opportunity to feel my feelings, surrender and grow closer to my God who is the only one who sees the big picture and knows how to lovingly navigate it. We live in a very challenging era and I guess I should be thankful for that? I have the tools to face whatever comes my way as long as I continue to turn to God to guide me. I have to sit down every morning and open myself up in Centering Prayer and not let my self-righteous nonsense lead me to judge and condemn (THAT IS SO HARD), but let LOVE rule. It’s the only answer that ever makes sense and that lifts us all up above the horror and hate and guilt. I finally really get the concept of being saved. Hallelujah!
Thank you for sharing that comment about your friend because that is my husband to a T---you meet the bodyguard. He's managing his fear by being militant. I'm managing my fear by means of distraction - Body cam videos when the bad guys get busted, clicking only on good political news and consuming Jane Austen books and films. And occasionally, I break out my prayer beads and pray when I'm not at church.
I recently watched The Ghost & Mr. Chicken. There’s a scene when Don Knotts’ character is giving a speech. He is standing at a podium, trembling and fighting to keep his eyes from rolling back so he won’t pass out from being freaked out. The movie is nearly 60 years old and I never recognized the brilliance of that scene until now. That is how I often navigate through life. All while having a tremendous amount of love in my heart and, somehow, recognizing the humor in it all. As always, I appreciate your words and in knowing I’m not alone.
I read this while waiting on my “life-sustaining” friends for coffee. We meet every Friday. For two decades we’ve shared joy and sorrow, but mostly big loud laughs that get us shooshed in the coffee shop.
I've been thinking a lot about fear lately, and its relationship to faith. Is fear self-propelling, or does it propel us to a larger understanding of God, and ourselves? Maybe both are true. Fear so often feels tied to shame, and when it is, that sets off warning signals for me. But maybe fear is what gets us to listen? I don't know. I've fallen down so many times in my life -- often clouded by fear -- and then I do my best to pick myself up and dust off, then try again. Love the post, Anne. Thank you.
Insightful piece. Life is filled with dialectics that only the walled-off, isolated, truly privileged or desperately disadvantaged can deny or not perceive.
Thank you for being the person that all your life stories created.
I turned 80 this year.
Like you, I learned the hard way as I progressed through early adult times. And, stumbling blindly, I met some terrific people, saw and heard extraordinary things and eventually became the person I could assume as an acceptable Me.
But, I believe that, as for the constant underlying fear; it was really my soul's Mentor, Or Holy Spirit, or Guardian Angel. Whatever. A kernel planted early that grew into a protective armor: "Jesus loves me."
That was my gauge. "If I did this- would it be forgivable? Could I make up for that?" For intentional decisions.
Or, Take me home." for the heading over the cliff times. Basically clueless but braver.
I'm a long time disciple of yours. You "did" Life. You shared it with us. And you made us strong. Thanks.
This feels so true. Faith and fear don’t cancel each other…they keep each other honest. And sometimes, they walk us home together.
Love this!
When someone says, "I didn't want to bother you," it makes me want to scream. I am helped at least as much as the one who calls. This is my go-to when I need support. It's what keeps me sober and (somewhat) sane. May good prevail, and may evil take a hike.🙏🏼💖
I love you Anne Lamott! I remember when I read Bird by Bird. It saved me in ways only the written word can. When I read your words, I breathe easier more deeply. I come home to myself. I’m in recovery. I feel a connection to you. I’ve heard your friend Father Tom speak several times and he spoke of you so fondly. I don’t know if you will read this comment but I just wanted to say Thank you 🙏🏼
Thanks for this, Anne!
I’ve been unable to participate in life for a number of days - an excruciating sore throat, headache, etc. (NOT COVID) has kept me in my bed. And what brought that on was anxiety pure and simple and trying to push through it no matter what. I see this time as an opportunity to feel my feelings, surrender and grow closer to my God who is the only one who sees the big picture and knows how to lovingly navigate it. We live in a very challenging era and I guess I should be thankful for that? I have the tools to face whatever comes my way as long as I continue to turn to God to guide me. I have to sit down every morning and open myself up in Centering Prayer and not let my self-righteous nonsense lead me to judge and condemn (THAT IS SO HARD), but let LOVE rule. It’s the only answer that ever makes sense and that lifts us all up above the horror and hate and guilt. I finally really get the concept of being saved. Hallelujah!
Thank you for this. There are not many people (in my world anyway) that are ok with the 'not ok' space.
That I live in a world where I can read an essay of Anne Lamott’s and thank her directly fills me with wonder.
WoW, you Anne, are a Woman of Wonderment! Thank you for this synopsis of the movie! Brilliant, I will watch thru my fingers! 🙃
Thank you for sharing that comment about your friend because that is my husband to a T---you meet the bodyguard. He's managing his fear by being militant. I'm managing my fear by means of distraction - Body cam videos when the bad guys get busted, clicking only on good political news and consuming Jane Austen books and films. And occasionally, I break out my prayer beads and pray when I'm not at church.
That image of meeting someone’s bodyguard first — that hit me hard. I know that version of myself too well.
I recently heard Future Events Already Ruined
I recently watched The Ghost & Mr. Chicken. There’s a scene when Don Knotts’ character is giving a speech. He is standing at a podium, trembling and fighting to keep his eyes from rolling back so he won’t pass out from being freaked out. The movie is nearly 60 years old and I never recognized the brilliance of that scene until now. That is how I often navigate through life. All while having a tremendous amount of love in my heart and, somehow, recognizing the humor in it all. As always, I appreciate your words and in knowing I’m not alone.
“Show me your guns.” I can still see those beautiful little biceps. Your words here are a match to them. Thank you. Forwarding to my grown kids
I read this while waiting on my “life-sustaining” friends for coffee. We meet every Friday. For two decades we’ve shared joy and sorrow, but mostly big loud laughs that get us shooshed in the coffee shop.
I count you among my friends. 😊
I've been thinking a lot about fear lately, and its relationship to faith. Is fear self-propelling, or does it propel us to a larger understanding of God, and ourselves? Maybe both are true. Fear so often feels tied to shame, and when it is, that sets off warning signals for me. But maybe fear is what gets us to listen? I don't know. I've fallen down so many times in my life -- often clouded by fear -- and then I do my best to pick myself up and dust off, then try again. Love the post, Anne. Thank you.
Insightful piece. Life is filled with dialectics that only the walled-off, isolated, truly privileged or desperately disadvantaged can deny or not perceive.