
If you are a writer, you are probably familiar with Anne Lamott, as she is a hero among writers.
If you are not familiar with Anne Lamott, let me introduce her to you. She has a gift for homing in on the nuances of spirituality, anxiety, love, and other topics of great pertinence to our interior selves.
Among writers, she is renowned for authoring a beautiful nonfictional book called Bird by Bird. I read Bird by Bird years and years ago, and it helped me greatly as a young writer. In large part, the book is about seeing more clearly the inaccurate things we writers tell ourselves when we are feeling frustrated and vulnerable. It’s about the writing process, and how to think and go about the writing process in such a way that one does not destroy oneself or abandon the attempt. It’s about how to be gentle with oneself when one is trying to do something very, very hard.
But Lamott doesn’t just write about writing; if you’re not a writer, she has books to offer you, as well. She is a good author to read during hard times. She lifts the reader up; she understands what you’re going through. She doesn’t say too much. She seems to listen. She says just enough. She gives you space to think.
I know two wonderful mothers of very young children. Babies are great . . . but mothering babies is exhausting work. This past December, having noticed a new Lamott book on the bookstore shelf, I knew this was the right gift for each of them.
And then, having given away those two copies, and crossed over from December into January, I realized that it was the right gift for me, too. To me, from me. I checked it out from the library and devoured it: cozy beside her imaginary fire.
This recently published gem is called Almost Everything: Notes on Hope. In the following passage, Lamott references the title, illuminating its significance:
“Some days there seems to be little reason for hope, in our families, cities, and world. Well, except for almost everything. The seasons change, a bone mends, Santa Rosa rebuilds after the fire.”
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Hope is the thing we need upon reading the headlines.
Hope is the thing we need in January.
Where do you seek and find hope?
I, too, appreciate Anne Lamottβs works. Thanks for mentioning her latest book; Iβve just added it to my reading list!
I mostly seek hope in books and other media (e.g., TED, podcasts). On the few occasions Iβve observed children in the classrooms of excellent teachers, I often find hope for our collective future.
I agree, those are all great sources of hope. I think you will enjoy Lamott’s latest.
Friend is expecting a baby in two months – I’ll find your suggestion.
I’ve never read Anne Lamott – obviously an oversight on my part.
Thanks for the enlightenment.
You’re very welcome. Thanks for the nice comment!
I love the book and am savoring it. Whenever I have a break I read little bits. There are many things that are so hard that we do in this life. Everything is a process and we often canβt see the end. It is vital to be gentle with ourselves when we do something so hard and the result is unclear. Thank you for the book & for your friendship!!
So glad you are enjoying the book! And glad you are my friend. π
One of my favorite posts of yours! When I saw the title I thought it would be about Emily Dickinson. Then, when i saw the birds and heard you mention Bird by Bird, I still thought so. At the end, when you again included the post title, I waited for a Dickinson tie-in. Doesn’t matter. It pulled me in and now have Bird by Bird on my list. I love her writing.
Irene, I’m so happy that you got the Dickinson reference. I was wondering whether anyone would pick up on that. π So glad you enjoyed the post, and hope to see you soon!
Hope is the thing without feathers. Lovable and sometimes featherless.
LOL, yes. π