Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life

by Jen Hatmaker

we don’t have to burn down the house simply because we’ve moved our things out. Other good folks probably still live there, and until one minute ago, we did too.

This was talking about how once you gain new understanding of something or your viewpoints change, you don't need to (nor should you) crucify the people that still believe the things that you did too up until you didn't any longer. I really liked this passage because it is all too easy to become caught up and self-righteous.

You can care about new things and new people and new beginnings,

I recall that this passage was talking about allowing yourself to grow as you move through life. Not forcing yourself only to be the person that you were yesterday, last year, a decade ago but permitting growth and letting the things that no longer serve you drift away.

We listen sincerely; we don’t just reload while someone else’s mouth is moving.

Talking about how to have a meaningful conversation. I highlit because it's a struggle in our house right now where I find that when I'm talking to my husband, he barely waits for the last word to leave my mouth and then goes off on some other thing "oh, that reminds me" or "I forgot to tell you". I would like to enjoy that he likes talking to me but it feels lately like he enjoys talking AT me and because he is sitting there waiting until my lips stop moving before he can jump in, it means that he's not listening to me, he's working on what he's going to say next.

Also, the work required is unsexy, ordinary, boring old labor that lacks the appeal of instant gratification and the pizzazz of an unsolicited miracle. I wish I had better news about breaking free, but apparently we just have to grab a shovel and start digging.

Talking about how to move towards forgiveness and letting things go.