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- Anne Lamott On Getting To Where We Are
Only Anne Lamott can drop a sentence like this in a post about the meaning of Advent:
So I called my Jesuit friend, Tom, who is a hopeless alcoholic of the worst sort, sober now for 22 years, someone who sometimes gets fat and wants to hang himself, so I trust him.
It’s Advent as I write this.
I checked the calendar. I thought about those Advent calendars I used to have as a kid and, to be honest, I probably don’t need the chocolate, but still. That’s a roundabout way of saying, all the tell-tale Advent signs are here.
It’s super cold out. Life is extra busy. And at least there’s snow on the ground. It helps to have some white to offset all that grey. Such is life in the northeast.
But as we wait for the days to start getting longer, with or without the metaphor of a god entering the world, it’s good to anchor back on some self-evident truths.
Truths like - how life is about experiencing a range of experiences.
The broader the range you’re aware of, even though some of it hurts to recognize, and I wish none of that pain on anyone, but with respect for range comes great awareness.
It can (almost always) get worse.
It can (almost always) get better.
And the worsening and bettering exist at a larger level than our individual lives.
Which is - humbling. In a good way.
Be honest about that ever careening reality that is life, and try to find some peace in the present moment.
Respect the trust that you’ll find in people who see the range too.
I’ll spoil the end of the Lamott essay I pulled this from, but only in hopes you’ll read the whole thing. I think it’s a beautiful reminder for this time in December. No matter what you believe in, no matter if your calendar has surprise chocolates or is just nested in some app on your phone.
So I’ll tell you what the promise of Advent is: It is that God has set up a tent among us and will help us work together on our stuff. And this will only happen over time.
Before the year ends, make a moment to help others, and work together - on some stuff.
Any kind of stuff will do. Just find a moment to connect. This is the way.
h/t Bob S. for sending this essay my way