Do you believe in magic?
Friday, February 4, 2011 at 3:06 AM "Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a sh*tty first draft." -- Anne Lamott
I’ve carried around a picture of author Anne Lamott for nearly two years. It's been tucked in my image folder - waiting. I’ve also been in love with Lamott's style ever since I heard the concept of writing the “sh*tty first draft.” Her words have motivated me out of many a creative slump and encouraged me to check my perfection at the door and thus put things out into the universe I never would have dreamed possible.
But, what does this have to do with magic? Well… I’m currently enrolled in an enrichment course and in the class we’re visioning what our ideal future looks like. For me, it’s all about feeling versus fact. Things like freedom, creativity, joy, play, spirituality, connection, curiosity & spontaneity – my absolute favorite things! In creating a vision board, I intuitively gathered images to capture my feelings and placed them on the mandala. Lamott’s picture is the perfect reminder for me to Keep Writing! So, on she went. (Check out 3:00-ish on the board).
What's so magic about that you may ask? Well... less than 48 hours after completing the board, I got a phone call from Liz Ellman, the director of Spiritual Directors International, inviting me to attend Seattle U's “Search for Meaning” and subsequently author a piece covering the keynote speakers… Drum roll, please. Anne Lamott and Tarik Ramadan. I nearly fell out of my chair!!!
Of course I’m going and the visioning continues in my mind. I now see myself at the event chatting it up with Ms. Lamott (actually, she’s invited me to call her Anne.) When I introduce myself she intuitively knows I’m special and a part of her tribe. She hands me her card and says, “Call me anytime.” Or better yet, “I’m alone here in town. Could you grab a bite after this? I’d love to hear more about your work and your “Sam”. Oh yea, I’m cool, calm, collected and oh so very excited. She loves the idea of my new book, “Pondering with Presence” and hopes we’ll stay in contact. {pinch pinch}
The magic continued when yesterday on our class group call, the instructor randomly made a reference to none other than dear Ms. Lamott. We weren't even talking about writing! So, this post is my confessional and 2nd vision board. Methinks, I’ll go for broke and print it out. Perhaps when I hand her my copy of bird by bird for autograph, I’ll slip her the letter along with my business card. I mean what’s the worst that could happen? Arrest? Psychiatric commitment? She tosses it in the trash? Public humiliation? She’s not a nice person? (I think that would be the worst!) Perhaps she’ll at least admire my bravado and be just a little curious about whether or not we belong to the same tribe ☺. Do you think she believes in magic?
Ok… Time to wake up from dreamland and get on with the tasks of the day. Who knows what will happen next? I believe in magic. Do you?
Dreams, Fear, Wishcasting, Writing, synchronicity
Reader Comments (13)
I attended one of Lamott's reading and got to meet her. She's as down to earth as they come. She's funny, irreverent, and honest.
(Just want you to know "Lucy" that when I first came online I found quite a bit of inspiration here. I noted that in the Acknowledgments in my newly published poetry collection. Sunrise Sister's there, too.)
hi maureen - "funny irreverent and honest" definitely sounds like my tribe :)
i'm so delighted for the "shout out" in your poetry collection. btw - CONGRATULATIONS!!! shall i order my copy from amazon or can i get an autographed one directly from you?
p.s. hope you still find the occasional inspiration here ;)
I defintely believe in magic ... there's a piece of magic in each one of us.
I think magic had something to do with my finally being able to write http://lifeasahuman.com/2011/feature/no-hope-without-dope/" rel="nofollow">this
what a great story Lucy, and yay you for grabbing the opportunity by the horns and visualising even further :)
stories like this make me shake my head at people who poohoo the power of art and imagery to literally create or re-create our lives
How wonderful is this!!!! And yes dear Lucy I do believe in miracles :) Your writing so reminds me of Anne Lamotts - I'm not sure if I've told you that before. Enjoy this miracle - there are many more to come :) Shelby - One of the Northern Lights!
tinkerbell - thank you for sharing the link to your writing. well done, friend. well done!
kel - i hear ya! one of the first "magical" experiences i had, included the words "tune them out" - my strongest reaction was that "them" are the poo-pooers and the naysayers. they don't know what they're missing, huh?!?
my wonderful, magical shelby - thank you for your words & response. like i mentioned to maureen above "funny, irreverent and honest" all resonate with me.
we've seen the miracles, haven't we? love you!!!
Oh you KNOW I believe in magic and imagination making our dreams come true! Can't wait to hear about your meeting with Ms. Lamott!!.....and of course you should be slipping her your card, your post, your blogsite, your future book - I mean you probably shouldn't be carrying a cardboard box piled high but I trust you'll select just the right amount of provocative tidbits to spark her interest - enjoy!
xo
I just love the synchronicities here. :-) Have a fabulous time with Anne tomorrow.
hey SS - i managed to slip in everything you mentioned (except the future book although the title was included :) as we talked about yesterday, be careful what you wish for!!
hey C - can't wait to tell you about my time with anne. she has really soft hands ;)
I feel so happy for you, for so much coming together for you in the most beautiful way. May it continue this way! Bravo! You're great!
claire - methinks your wishes must have added to the elements of the official meeting. thanks!!!