Anne Lamott Quotes

planbAnne Lamott is one of the best writers I think I’ve ever read – and funny too. Anyway, this morning I started listening to her audio book (she reads herself) called “Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith.”

Anyway, I just thought I’d share a few quotes that struck me:

Peace is joy at rest. Joy is peace on it’s feet.

One of the top five most annoying things about God is that He rarely answers right away. It can take days or even weeks. Can you talk about God like this?

Maybe it was the ‘Ham of God.

She describes how seasonal showers fill up potholes in the rocks in the desert and frogs live in them. Then she says, “it seems you can go from parched to overflow in the blink of an eye.”

Here’s another quote from a talk she gave to a bunch of Pastors:

She explains that cat’s fur is highly flamable, but God has also placed an oil in their skin which puts the fire out. Then she says, “Cats ignite, but luckily there’s grace.”

Secret O’ Life

I don’t know what it was, but something about this song made me start crying in the car the other day. I was looking for songs I could learn to play and sing with Kasen and thought about “Sweet Baby James.” After listening to it, this one came on.

Anyway, God has been showing me how to live in the present lately and truly be in the moment. Maybe it has something to do with watching Kasen’s emotions jump from total contentment to crying out hysterically, and back to laughing all in a matter of about 30 seconds. I mean – how does that work? He is totally present in the moment and everything he experiences is right there on his face. Someone once told me that if I was feeling happy, I should notify my face and put on a smile. That’s not a problem for Kasen though – he’s totally transparent. Why is it that we as adults have learned to hide it all? Everything about our lives seems to be about “playing the part” or “fitting in” and so we put on these “poker faces” that hide our true feelings. How would life be different if we decided to be vulnerable? What if I lived completely in the present – truly experiencing and feeling everything completely? Did Jesus live this way or was He worried about His reputation so much that He hid His true feelings?

Anyway, this song makes me think about enjoying every moment. Experiencing everything life has for us. Enjoying the present without regard to the past or future. Of course James Taylor didn’t mean it in a spiritual way, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t hit on the truth.


Secret O’ Life by James Taylor

The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time

Any fool can do it

There ain’t nothing to it

Nobody knows how we got to

The top of the hill (except those who believe in God)

But since we’re on our way down

We might as well enjoy the ride


The secret of love is in opening up your heart

It’s okay to feel afraid

But don’t let that stand in your way no

‘Cause anyone knows that love is the only road

And since we’re only here for a while yeah

Might as well show some style


Give us a smile now

Isn’t it a lovely ride

Sliding down

And gliding down

Try not to try too hard

It’s just a lovely ride


Now the thing about time is that time

Isn’t really real

It’s all on your point of view

How does it feel for you

Einstein said that he could never understand it all

Planets spinning through space

The smile upon your face


Welcome to the human race

Isn’t that a lovely ride

Sliding down

Gliding down

Try not to try too hard

It’s just a lovely ride


Isn’t that a lovely ride

Oh mama yes

See me sliding down

And gliding down

Try not to try too hard

It’s just a lovely ride


Now the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time