Bookish Weapon Number Nine

The one idea from this book is reflection. I don’t recall if she even discusses it, but the impact of the book is to have you reflecting on the big and small questions in life. Here are some of the things she says that hopefully will get you thinking as well.

Death

“Death is a significant change of address.” I loved that. With everyone in our society moving here and there I think it strikes a chord.

“Somehow as we get older, death becomes as sacred as birth, and while we don’t exactly welcome it, death becomes a friend.” There are many people who recommend you think abut death every day so that yo duo not become complacent and value the present moment. One reason you you need to do this is, “There is just no way around this. Even when life sorts itself out and starts to work and we revel in what is working, the cosmic banana peel awaits.”

She quotes Ram Dass, “When all is said and done, we are all just walking each other home.”

There are other quotes in the book about death you don’t want to miss so get the book. It is worth it just for those. Is that morbid of me?

Messiness

Lamott says, “I absolutely don’t buy into the current mania for tidings and decluttering.” I say amen to that! I suppose it is because I am a messy person or at least that is be the label neat people would apply to me. It is not that I don’t clean. I just don’t see the necessity to clean every day or even more than once a week or sometimes even a few weeks. Anne, I love you for this one gem in the book!

Clutter happens. Relax and know that while some obsessive compulsive person is cleaning, you are exercising, reading, practicing and becoming better. Of course, this is just my opinion. And I do make my bed every day!

Sugar

This time she went right after my heart. Sugar! She says, “We overeat to avoid feeling fear.” I like that. Then she says she has a “serious problem with sugar. If I start eating it I often can’t stop.” Anybody else in that boat. I sure am and I think a lot of our society is right there.

Hope

Finally, the very best, in my opinion, quote from Anne Lamott is on the subject of hope, because it expresses what I often feel myself.

“Hope changes as you get a little older, from the hope that this or that happens, to hope in life, old friends, laughter, art, goodness, helpers. I hope and am amazed, some mornings, at just finding myself alive.”