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| Want to sail the seven seas? Do it. Now. |
"Oh my God, what if you wake up some day, and you're 65 or 75, and you never got your memoir or novel written; or you didn't go swimming in warm pools and oceans all those years because your thighs were jiggly and you had a nice big comfortable tummy; or you were just so strung out on perfectionism and people-pleasing that you forgot to have a big juicy creative life, of imagination and radical silliness and staring off into space like when you were a kid?
It's going to break your heart. Don't let this happen."
- Anne Lamott
Hi Gregg,
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing that wonderful quote. When we're rushing and not aware, life has a way of flying by, making it impossible to do the things that are really important to us.
I am single parent to two wonderful kids, running my own business and renovating a very old cottage. Many times I've let slide the things that really bring me joy - being outside in the garden, playing the piano, walking. Now I'm trying to get the important things in first, even just for half an hour each every day. Yesterday I spent the whole day painting architraves in the bathroom and laundry. It was such a buzz to see them finally getting finished. Yes, dishes sat in the sink, yes, the carpet still needs vacuuming and there were a dozen other things I 'should' have done. But I felt completely happy :)
Madeleine
Thank you so much for printing this wonderful quote! I work for a woman who is totally hung up on perfection - everything must be PERFECT. So tiring - and she misses so much of the inherent beauty and mystery of imperfection. Yes, we should all do the best we can, but we must also remember that life can be brief and should be savored each and every minute. Just taking a breather and looking around at the beauties of nature or (my favorite) clothes hanging on the line can calm your soul and give such happiness. Joy and wonder are all around us if we only take the time to look.
ReplyDeleteSophie