Friday, June 27, 2014

It's Never Too Late

"Oh my God,

 what if you wake up some day, 
and you’re 65, or 75, 

and you never got your memoir or novel written;

 or you didn’t go swimming in warm pools and oceans all those years 

because your thighs were jiggly and you had a nice big comfortable tummy;

or you were just so strung out on perfectionism and people-pleasing 
that you forgot to have a big juicy creative life, of imagination and radical silliness 
and staring off into space like when you were a kid? 

It’s going to break your heart. 

Don’t let this happen."


Annie Lamott



Anne Lamott is an American novelist and non-fiction writer.
She is also a progressive political activist, public speaker & writing teacher.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, her nonfiction works are largely autobiographical.
Marked by their self-deprecating humor and openness.  

Lamott's writings cover such subjects as alcoholism,
single-motherhood, depression & Christianity.

I can certainly relate to the idea of not presenting one's self if not the image of perfection,
so I'm certain I'm missed some very valuable and fun things.

Laying back for awhile I am trying to learn a new way to go forward.

Like, just once, I would love to eat too much pasta, to be completely
unrestrained by my own image of myself.  

And, I really need to learn to take life seriously and be involved with
things which are more important to me.

Our work on banning trophy hunting is good,
there is already much success in areas I didn't know about.
The US Government is being petitioned over & over to make it
illegal to bring "trophies" back into the United States.
This is a very good thing, because we all know how much these "hunter's"
(killers) love to show off.

Yes, I think wading into the surf might be good for me.
Even if I make a fool of myself.





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20 comments:

  1. What a lovely post! I am so much more free of things in my old age (61). I just came back from a beach holiday and wore a bathing suit and loved it, although I don't look anymore like I looked at 38 even, but it's ok, no one will turn around and say..Oh my goodness, look at that awfully fat and wrinkled old woman in a bathing suit, lol!
    I've embrased myself, my life and all I wasn't happy with when I was Young, lol! I can't even understand why... today, that I'm so much wiser! Thanks for sharing this sweet friend.
    Happy weekend.
    Fabby

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  2. Thanks for sharing wonderful information, it is really nice information.
    Hanging Wine Bottle Rack

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  3. Lovely post I so agree. Live every day according your your highest values and never mind what other people think. Will check out Anne's books.

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  4. Marsha, My husband did the Safari thing for 8 years.
    He woke up one day and said, " NO MORE"'.
    He still went but used his camera. I still have a bear rug,
    that was life and death. I agree, go smell the roses,
    jump in the cold ocean. You only go through once.

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  5. How touching is you post for today,Marsha....
    HOW touching! Yes!
    I want to find her books in Dutch or may be in Russian,because my English not really good and sometimes you need much more than just undarstand! You must feel it and very good understand!
    How I am agree with your story here,Marsha....
    I think,we all know all these little troubles in our own life,but not always realised HOW important that is!
    .............
    Much Love,
    XXX,
    V.

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  6. Bravo!!! I don't think it's ever too late darling. Looking forward to it. xoxo

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  7. I love this quote. It is hard for some of us (me) to stop trying to please and fit into others' expectations. It's hard to lose self-consciousness and go for it. A friend just invited me to spend Saturday mornings at her pool with some other friends. Am I going to let those "jiggly thighs" get in the way of enjoying some wonderful times?? I hope not. Thanks for the post, Marcia!

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  8. I've been fortunate enough to do many of those things but I'm still strung out on perfectionism, just can't beat it as hard as I try. A long time ago, I was married to a man who thought I was never whatever enough is almost every way. When I was in my late 30's, he actually had the nerve to say I needed a facelift & a butt job...already? Mind you, I worked out every day & was pretty ripped. I replied & thought at the same time that he was nuts & yes he was nuts. So, I took my elbow & not so lightly poked him in his fat belly & said, "look who's talking." So much happened in between but he's history now thank goodness.
    Now, I'm with a wonderful, sweet & rather thin musician rock star & the perfectionism runs deep still within me but it's more of staying healthy than being gaunt & skinny. Tough to give an old horse some new tricks! Thanks for reminding me to work on this Marsha, love Anne Lamott!

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  9. Love her quote... She sounds like a wonderful writer. I would go into the surf as long as there is a lifeguard near by.
    Have a wonderful summer...

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  10. I needed this. WE just got back from vacation in the Outer Banks and there were 22 of us counting the kiddos. I KNOW I look like the wrath of God in a bathing suit and without make up but I still do it. I have to say though, I am SO much more comfortable in my clothes, with my hair done and my make up ON! I always will be, I am sure. This getting old is NOT for sissies:):):) Great post, Marsha. XO

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  11. Love this post!!

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  12. Lovely post Marsha. I heard something similar by motivational speaker Les Brown and I always try to keep it to the forefront of my mind. It reminds me so much of all the fun things my Mum wouldn't do because of this image of perfection she wanted to portray (she died at 48 never really having the chance to throw caution to the wind :-(

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    Replies
    1. Vannessa, I am so sad hearing this about your mother. So very young.
      And, yes, I completely understand her mindset. Those of us a certain age have this mantle draped around us early on, and it is impossible to escape. Sending love....

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  13. Lovely post, and thank you for your work against trophy hunting.

    There's a wonderful quote going around on social media, no one seems to know the author, but it sums up a lot:

    "In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take."

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  14. Hello there Marsha dear! Now here's an author I need to look into. Fresh, HONEST and willing to talk about what many can't say. THANK YOU for this! AND...your name and link are on my list for your share on ITALY! And you are there right now? LOVELY! My friend, enjoy yourself to come back and let us in our your dream destination/vacation! Thanks for the support sweet Marsha! Anita

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  15. Marsha,
    I'm back looking at my favorite blogs after 5 days of having my brother stay with us. I love this post and from the bottom of my heart I thank you for it. Bravo for your compassion and your hard work on banning Safari (I wish to include all trophies) in your state. Needs to be everywhere.
    XO,
    Vera

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  16. It's the only way to live your life fulfilling and never regret what you have done (or not done)...and it's never too late to
    start with it. Enjoy Italy's beauty

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  17. I've had an author crush on Annie Lamott for years. Bird by Bird is one of my all time favorite books.

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