I was raised by my parents to believe that you had a moral obligation to try and help save the world.
Anne LamottI donโt know why life isnโt constructed to be seamless and safe, why we make such glaring mistakes, things fall so short of our expectations, and our hearts get broken and out kids do scary things and our parents get old and donโt always remember to put pants on before they go out for a stroll. I donโt know why itโs not more like it is in the movies, why things donโt come out neatly and lessons canโt be learned when youโre in the mood for learning them, why love and grace often come in such motley packaging.
Anne LamottI've heard people say that God is the gift of desperation, and there's a lot to be said for having really reached a bottom where you've run out of any more good ideas or plans for everybody else's behavior; or how to save and fix and rescue; or just get out of a huge mess, possibly of your own creation.
Anne LamottYou can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.
Anne LamottPerfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they're doing it.
Anne Lamott