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Flaxbee

(13,661 posts)
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 04:14 PM Jan 2013

Nice essay from Anne Lamott: Time Lost and Found

http://www.sunset.com/travel/anne-lamott-how-to-find-time-00418000067331/

I sometimes teach classes on writing, during which I tell my students every single thing I know about the craft and habit. This takes approximately 45 minutes. I begin with my core belief—and the foundation of almost all wisdom traditions—that there is nothing you can buy, achieve, own, or rent that can fill up that hunger inside for a sense of fulfillment and wonder. But the good news is that creative expression, whether that means writing, dancing, bird-watching, or cooking, can give a person almost everything that he or she has been searching for: enlivenment, peace, meaning, and the incalculable wealth of time spent quietly in beauty.

Then I bring up the bad news: You have to make time to do this.

This means you have to grasp that your manic forms of connectivity—cell phone, email, text, Twitter—steal most chances of lasting connection or amazement. That multitasking can argue a wasted life. That a close friendship is worth more than material success.

Needless to say, this is very distressing for my writing students. They start to explain that they have two kids at home, or five, a stable of horses or a hive of bees, and 40-hour workweeks. Or, on the other hand, sometimes they are climbing the walls with boredom, own nearly nothing, and are looking for work full-time, which is why they can’t make time now to pursue their hearts’ desires. They often add that as soon as they retire, or their last child moves out, or they move to the country, or to the city, or sell the horses, they will. They are absolutely sincere, and they are delusional.

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Nice essay from Anne Lamott: Time Lost and Found (Original Post) Flaxbee Jan 2013 OP
That is nice. Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #1
and these lines made me laugh: Flaxbee Jan 2013 #2
LOL, yep, I thought that was funny too. Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #3

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
1. That is nice.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 07:12 PM
Jan 2013

It is also full of more truth than most of us want to hear. It made me feel a little ashamed too.

My favorite line: "Time is not free—that’s why it’s so precious and worth fighting for."

Ain't that the truth!

Flaxbee

(13,661 posts)
2. and these lines made me laugh:
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 08:53 PM
Jan 2013

"But how can they not care and let life slip away? Can’t they give up the gym once a week and buy two hours’ worth of fresh, delectable moments? (Here they glance at my butt.)"

lol.

I have fond memories of Sunset magazine -- growing up in SoCal we always had it; it reminds me of my dad, who died a little over 2 years ago.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
3. LOL, yep, I thought that was funny too.
Sun Jan 6, 2013, 10:07 PM
Jan 2013

And I was sure that they would do the same for me....since I DO take the time to smell the roses.

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