I love to read - anything and everything onto which I can get my smurf-sized hands.
In real life we tend to stay on the surface of things, but in books and lyrics I am assured that many others have the same tumultuous inner life that I do. In this way, books and songs are like friends who always have time to talk- they help me connect and feel less alone in my spastic little head.
They also make me more compassionate. I read the stories of other’s struggles and I find it a little easier to love the world after finishing each one. If only each of us had a biography we could distribute - we’d all be so much gentler with each other if everyone’s history was required reading. It’s why you are so kind to me here– because you know my story. But everyone has a story with at least as much joy and loss and love as mine. I think about it all the time – as I look around at people and imagine their stories- the state of their hearts - what they've overcome. I just want to stand up at restaurants sometimes and applaud wildly and yell - “BRAVO! TO ALL OF US! LOOK AT US, MAKING IT THROUGH THIS WILD, DIFFICULT LIFE! WE ARE STILL STANDING, DRESSING OURSELVES, BREATHING! BRAVO!”
Craig discourages this though, so whatever.
I also love discovering through reading that my spiritual journey...the one that I'm hoping is leading me towards becoming more loving, more forgiving, more whole . . . is the exact same journey that so many others are walking. We all have the same discoveries and insights and thoughts about ourselves and other people along the way. All of us who are struggling to see things and people clearly . . . we all learn the exact same things in different ways - because Truth is Truth. It’s like we seekers . . . we each walk different paths but end up in the same field . . . a big old green field with wooden signs that say -
We Belong To Each Other, We Can Do Hard Things, LOVE WINS.
I love writers who don’t bother trying to teach me anything new . . . but gently remind me of things I already know. Who show me, through their own stories, what life is teaching them. I read recently...if it's true, it ain't new. And so I love writers who tell stories that nudge me towards the same old Truths and illuminate them in brilliant new ways. These writers invite me to sink into them like a worn sofa and make heart LEAP and swell and break and mend.
Rachel Naomi Remen is one of those writers. She is more than a writer . . . she is a healer. And her latest book, “My Grandfather’s Blessings” made my heart sing and purr and skip and finally enlarge to near exploding.
Which is why My Grandfather’s Blessings is our new HERMIT CRAB BOOK CLUB pick.
Go get it friends . . . pretty please. Monkees of all spiritual faiths (or none at all) will find something in this book to love. This one’s going to fill us with hope and peace and ease us right into the crispness and coziness and insanity of fall.
As always, if you can’t find it at the library and don’t have the money for it right now – shoot me an email and I’ll have it sent to your door. Gotta have this one, ladies.
Love You,
G
So exciting! I loved Kitchen Table Wisdom and gave it out to all my friends for college graduation. I have been slowly reading this book for a while - it takes me time to digest these things. :)
ReplyDeleteexcited, very excited. I uh-huh'ed my way through... "if it's the truth it aint new." I like those reminders- and when I need it I always think of the C.s lewis:
ReplyDelete" Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it."
"I love writers who don’t bother trying to teach me anything new . . . but gently remind me of things I already know."
ReplyDeleteAMEN.
And I think you should stand up in a restaurant and give your speech. (Make sure someone video tapes it.)
P.S. You're my new favorite blogger. Thank you.
Just having come from visiting family, I'm going to need this book for Fall.Belonging is so important, thanks for the tip Niece- ( how would Craig feel if you stood up on the table with a big sign and slowly turned around)...worked for Sally.
ReplyDeleteI will get it definately. I think Tuesday's With Morrie should be required reading in schools. Matter of fact, I need to pick it up again. The lost art of just .... being. Visiting. Listening. Respecting those who have been there before you have arrived. Make sense?
ReplyDeleteI say the following in reference to you mentioning songs and lyrics being your friend. (and whilest I sip my Sweet Red wine)after a boring grounds committee meeting. LOL.
Songs heal me to and come to me at the most appropriate times. And I get lost in a book - and lost in a good movie. I LOVE to go to movies by myself. I go to another world. Anyway, one time, there was a whole CD that I "dedicated" and purchased for the fiance of my best friend (before she passed away)because every song reminded me a bit of the love they shared and eerily her impending death (terminal cancer). It was a Sarah McLauklin (sp?) CD. The whole CD was her. It was written for her and him, in my eyes. After her funeral on the way to the graveside, one of the songs came on the radio. Every time I would think of her, THAT song would come on. Coincidence? I don't know. It was the song "In the Arms of an Angel". I like to tell myself that she was letting me know she was OK. The day I was to see her in the hospital is the say she passed. I felt guilt to not going one or two days sooner. It still bothers me. But, her fiance said before she passed, she smiled, looked beyond him like she was looking at someone else, spoke to someone and said "OK". He said she saw God and was ready.
Another song that was just released on the radio (or at least the first time I heard it) was "Beautiful" by Christina A - while we drove home after having to drop our daughter off at a mental hospital. We lost it. That song became my anthem against bullies who treat others like crap because they helped put my daughter in the situation she was in. Anyway. Glennon. I have been to hell and back. And I'm back, baby! I have so many stories but I'm not ready to tell. I think we all do. But thank you for having a place to share. This is my "share" for today. Thank goodness for songs and books because sometimes that is all we have in this crazy world we call life.
I'm sitting here thinking, I hope this isn't too random! Sometimes I like to talk about these things and no one understands.
So thanks for the book suggestion. I will get it! Hope you are well.
G'Night!
Terri
Glennon, remember in an earlier post of yours I kinda gave you bunk for putting down attention that Christina A. got instead of some other folks as she sang that song? LOL. That is why. I was a new follower then. I'm fierce about that song! (wink)
ReplyDeleteTerri
i just started thinking about my fall reading line up. perfect timing!
ReplyDeleteThere is one copy in the Boston library system -- at my request they are sending it to my local library. Isn't inter-library loan amazing?
ReplyDeleteAlso, Glennon, I had a dream last night that we were getting together for a playdate! In real life I am looking for playdates for the 5 year old I nanny; in my dream we were making plans and I was like, "Wait, aren't you in Virginia or something?" And you said, "No, I live right around the corner from you, Jessica!" =) It was a good dream. If you ever move to the Boston area, let's definitely get our kids together. ;)
Jessica K
This is one of my favorite all-time books. I have dog-eared my copy to death. I find it is one of those books that you pick up, turn to a chapter and you get the one that you need right at that very moment. Thanks for picking this one! Hope the beach was magical for your family! xoxo Kent
ReplyDeleteG--
ReplyDeleteMy two year-old son has started a new habit of applauding randomly. He'll smile first, then pump his tiny fists in the air, then clap and cheer like his team just won the super bowl.
I think I figured it out today. He's cheering for humanity's continued existence. He's clapping for the speech you haven't stood up in the middle of public to give.
I guarantee, if you ever do... he'll clap for you.
Love you!
-Sharyn
I'm new to your blog, but I just wanted to let you know, I love it. And I get it. I SO get it. Thank you for your writing, for your story.
ReplyDeleteHer writing is truly musical. It touches you and takes you places just like music does. I have read both her books more than once...they speak to me like no other has. I love that you're recommending it b/c I have always said,"The whole world should read these books!" but I didn't know how to tell the whole world. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is one of my favourite books of all time - I re-read both it and 'Kitchen Table Wisdom' annually - and so wish she'd write more! xx
ReplyDeleteDear Glennon,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to have found your blog. I love your writing and positive outlook. I have laughed and cried. When you recommended this book I bought the audio version and listened to it while my husband took our kids to the pool. I couldn't stop listening it was captivating. When my husband got home I shared with him some of my favorite parts. I loved the story of the little boy with the hot wheel cars and the lady who needed breast reconstruction. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful book. I know I will listen to it over and over. I will also recommend it to my friends.