It’s funny: I always imagined when I was a kid that adults had some kind of inner toolbox full of shiny tools: the saw of discernment, the hammer of wisdom, the sandpaper of patience. But then when I grew up I found that life handed you these rusty bent old tools – friendships, prayer, conscience, honesty – and said, Do the best you can with these, they will have to do. And mostly, against all odds, they’re enough.
-Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies
“I am troubled by my inability to live more presently, which makes me keenly sad about the passage of time. The way that my children mark the inexorable movement of time is something I find very difficult; this bittersweetness is sometimes almost unbearable.”
Anne Lamott is great, but has nothing on you.
As for rusty old tools, maybe what we really need is someone to kiss our finger after we cut it on prayer, friendship, honesty and conscience.
Namaste, Bruce
So thankful to you for introducing me to Anne Lamott. I devoured Operating Instructions and Bird by Bird while traveling and will look forward to reading more from her – and from you, of course! – in the new year.
I love love love Anne Lamott. I always feel like she’s my best friend after I spend time reading her.
Thank you for sharing this tonight. Such truth in her words.
Anne is a goddess of words & wisdom. I’ve been savoring some of her thoughts on jealousy this morning (from “Bird by bird”). I love her down to earth humor and honesty.
Great quote!!
Thank you for sharing this!!! I am putting Anne Lamont on my reading list. This quote just reaches out to me.
I adore Anne Lamott. Like you, I consider her my idol. I love her humor and insight and humility. The fact that she’s gorgeous with words doesn’t hurt, either!!
And I happen to agree with Bruce…