Life with most teenagers was like having a low-grade bladder infection. It hurts, but you had to tough it out.
Anne LamottRead
You are desperate to communicate, to edify or entertain, to preserve moments of grace or joy or transcendence, to make real or imagined events come alive. But you cannot will this to happen. It is a matter of persistence and faith and hard work. So you might as well just go ahead and get started.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of persistence and faith in the creative process rather than forcing inspiration.
Anne Lamott highlights the struggle of wanting to communicate effectively and the desire to capture beautiful moments through creativity. While it is natural to yearn for inspiration and success, she suggests that true creativity comes from a commitment to hard work and perseverance, rather than trying to force it. Hence, the key message is to start your work with faith and persistence, regardless of the immediate outcomes.
Themes
CreativityPersistenceFaithHard WorkInspiration
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a motivational speech for aspiring writers to encourage them to stay committed to their craft.
More from Anne Lamott
All quotes →Or you might shout at the top of your lungs or whisper into your sleeve, "I hate you, God." That is a prayer too, because it is real, it is truth, and maybe it is the first sincere thought you've had in months.
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Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over people and circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.
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It is hard to remember that you are a cherished spiritual being when you're burping up apple fritters and Cheetos.
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Gorgeous, amazing things come into our lives when we are paying attention: mangoes, grandnieces, Bach, ponds. This happens more often when we have as little expectation as possible. If you say, "Well, that's pretty much what I thought I'd see," you are in trouble. At that point you have to ask yourself why you are even here. [...] Astonishing material and revelation appear in our lives all the time. Let it be. Unto us, so much is given. We just have to be open for business.
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...because when people have seen you at their worst, you don't have to put on the mask as much.
Anne LamottRead
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