Almost Everything: Notes on Hope

by Anne Lamott

It’s ridiculous how hard life is. Denial and avoidance are unsuccessful strategies, but truth and awareness mend.

Perspective doesn’t reduce the gravitas; it increases reverence.

I am mortal, impermanent, imperfect, scared, often uptight and even petty, but wow, what a beautiful sunset. Yes, the Buddha was right about sickness, old age, and death, but check out that moth, that plum.

God is Love, that anytime you experience kindness and generosity, hope, patience and caring, you are in the presence of God. Anytime you express these, you are drawing something I would call God into the world.

I’m having a good time with my big messy family, I notice and savor it, and I say thank you, that this came from a place of joy and absurdity, that it turns out we have it in us to laugh. And who knows, we may again—later today, tomorrow, or in patient, patient time.