(this perfect tea tin was a gift from jeanetta, who always knows just what i need)
I am reading Anne Lamott’s new book Help Thanks Wow.
For the record Anne Lamott is one of the people whose words have changed my life, so I tend to be mooney over her.
Anyway, in her new book (which is way too short, even if the whole thing is amazing and profound) she talks about having a God box. A box where she stuffs her prayers or confessions or just the name of a person who happens to be driving her mad. She does this because she has found that in the tangible act of seeing herself physically put the note in the box is important. As simple as it is, it helps to let go.
“When we think we can do it all ourselves-fix, save, buy or date a nice solution-it’s hopeless. We’re going to screw things up. We’re going to get our tentacles wrapped around things and squirt our squiddy ink all over, so that there is even less visisblilty, and then we’re going to squeeze the very life out of everything.
Or we can summon a child’s courage and faith and put a note with a few words into a small box in the hope that we can get our sucking, inky squid tentacles off things.”
After which, she goes on to say, among other things, it might just get a little easier to breathe and to rest.
Which to me, sounds like a great way to start a new year.
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Oh my yes, Jerusalem, Anne Lamott is my favorite too. Just got her latest on my kindle. Waiting till to night
Awww Jerusalem…I so needed to hear this…I am struggling as this moment with confessions….thanks for sharing
I just wanted to pop by and wish you the happiest new year. May your 2013 be full of blessings, laughter, and happy surprises. Thank you for being a blog friend and a joyful part of my life.
I just bought that book yesterday and can't wait to read it!!!