Life with most teenagers was like having a low-grade bladder infection. It hurts, but you had to tough it out.
Anne LamottRead
I like to read away as much of the afternoon as possible, until real life rears its ugly head.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the joy of escaping into reading, even as reality eventually intrudes.
Anne Lamott's quote reflects the comforting power of books and reading in providing an escape from the challenges and harsh realities of daily life. It suggests that immersing oneself in a good book can serve as a temporary reprieve, allowing one to postpone facing the often difficult and unpleasant aspects of life.
Themes
ReadingEscapeRealityLifeBooks
In practice
Example use cases
In a conversation about the benefits of literature, I might say, 'As Anne Lamott puts it, I like to read away as much of the afternoon as possible, until real life rears its ugly head.'
More from Anne Lamott
All quotes βOr 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.
Anne LamottRead
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.
Anne LamottRead
It is hard to remember that you are a cherished spiritual being when you're burping up apple fritters and Cheetos.
Anne LamottRead
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.
Anne LamottRead
...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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Talked my head off Worked my tail off Cried my eyes out Walked my feet off Sang my heat out So you see, There's really not much left of me.
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I realized these were all the snapshots which our children would look at someday with wonder, thinking their parents had lived smooth, well-ordered lives and got up in the morning to walk proudly on the sidewalks of life, never dreaming the raggedy madness and riot of our actual lives, our actual night, the hell of it, the senseless emptiness.
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You know you are truly alive when youβre living among lions.
Isak DinesenRead