Beauty, embodied
I just came home from hearing Anne Lamott speak and read from her new book Grace (Eventually). I am so so so moved. Now I finally know what I want to be when I grow up. I want to be like her.
Anne Lamott seems to have exactly want I want in life. Not in terms of money or fame, but of self-understanding and acceptance. She’s imperfect and a little bit nuts (aren’t we all) but instead of pretending those parts of her don’t exist, instead of painting over them and hoping no one notices the weird crackly spots on the walls, she embraces them fully with the knowledge that it takes all parts of her to make the whole human that she is. I have never heard such real and honest words before. This woman is one hundred percent authentic, and it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Even though she lets her neuroses shine through, she has this sense of calm about her that envelops anyone standing near her. You feel her power, her womanness, and you just can’t take your eyes off of her. If I could be half the woman she is, I would consider myself a true success as a human being.
I recently read her book Traveling Mercies, the first in her three book series on faith and spirituality. It’s one of those books that reaches down inside you and scrambles up your insides. When you’re done reading it you’ve been jumbled up, laid out flat, and put back together a completely different person. It’s that powerful. It was a life-changing read for me, and seeing her tonight was life-changing as well. She said of grace, that it finds you where you are, and always leaves you somewhere new. And I think the same can be said of her, and her writing. She is so real and true, and the things she writes about speak to people so profoundly, that you come away better and prettier and smarter. I wish there were more humans like her on this planet.
oh wow! i’d love to attend one of her readings. she’s such a fascinating person. i’ve read a couple of her books and adore her. but i haven’t read traveling mercies…i think i may run out and buy it sometime this weekend…
Comment by la vie en rose — March 30, 2007 @ March 30, 2007 at 9:37 am
I, too, have read her books. She is truly amazing. I am so jealous that you got to hear her speak. I have always wanted to meet her. Lucky!
Comment by Nina — March 30, 2007 @ March 30, 2007 at 10:12 am
I love grace.
Comment by Misha — March 30, 2007 @ March 30, 2007 at 4:53 pm
I haven’t read any of her work. I will see if I can reserve some of her books at the library.
Comment by Jenn — March 30, 2007 @ March 30, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Hrmmmm…. methinks I should check out her books:)
xoxo
Comment by Georgia — April 1, 2007 @ April 1, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Oh! One day I dream that she’ll come this far South, because I want to give her a big, squishy hug. I’m so glad you got to hear her read - she’s just fabulous. Please hang in there…
Comment by Samantha — April 8, 2007 @ April 8, 2007 at 5:50 pm