Friday, November 24, 2017

Lamott's 2 Best Prayers - #9

This is the week to increase our attention on things we are thankful for.  I am thankful for your attention.

 The series on prayer that we are wrapping up today was the result of running across  Simone Weil's quote: "Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer" (Post #2).

If you haven't read the comments for Posts 2-8, take a minute to do so. You will be amazed at the wisdom offered by readers of exploring the mystery.

Before we we shift our attention back to attention, I wanted to share this quote on prayer from Anne Lamott:*  

"Here are the two best prayers I know: "Help me, help me, help me," and "Thank you, thank you, thank you." A woman I know says, for her morning prayer, "Whatever," and then for the evening, "Oh, well," but has conceded that these prayers are more palatable for people without children." 

 Have you learned anything about prayer that excites you? What do you think of Lamott's prayers? What is it easy for you to pay attention to? What is difficult for you to pay attention to? Are you glad we are going back to attention?

 Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall

 *Found on Page 83 of Roy Peter Clark's excellent book, Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies For Every Writer (2008).

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8 comments:

  1. NolanNovember 25, 2017 at 9:26 AM

    I think it is hard to pay attention to anything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NicolaNovember 25, 2017 at 10:12 AM

      Nolan - I think you are correct - it is hard to pay attention. Maybe that's why we use the word pay.

      Lots of info these days on how technology is messing with our brains and how we want to get a dopamine hit - a reward of a "good feeling".

      I'd love to hear more of your thinking on this............

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

      Delete
    2. NolanNovember 25, 2017 at 3:04 PM

      The more I think about mindfulness, the more I try to embrace the bad with the good. It’s nice knowing difficult times won’t last. I guess it all ties into change. Although I love my iPhone, I’m thankful that we didn’t have them as kids. I wonder if mom and Dad felt that way about TV?

      Delete
    3. NicolaNovember 25, 2017 at 5:05 PM

      YOu nailed the positive part of impermanence - the bad won't last. That is a relief!

      Help me understand why you are thankful you didn't have iphone as a kid. I'm not sure i understand what you are meaning.

      Delete
    4. NolanNovember 26, 2017 at 9:21 AM

      I think it takes away interaction in some ways. I notice older people talking to others in waiting rooms while most are buried in their phones. I like how the phone keeps you occupied, but wonder if it is closing us off from experiencing random encounters.

      Delete
    5. NicolaNovember 26, 2017 at 9:36 AM

      Thanks for clarifying Nolan.
      Interesting that you say we may be closing off from random encounters - makes me think of how I often text people to see if they are available to talk on the phone.

      I think more often these days of Dad saying that he wondered how it would all turn out.

      Delete
  2. KarenNovember 25, 2017 at 10:23 AM

    Thought you would be interested in this link.

    https://www.npr.org/2012/11/19/164814269/anne-lamott-distills-prayer-into-help-thanks-wow

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NicolaNovember 25, 2017 at 10:25 AM

      Thanks Karen - I'm not sure how to link this address so hope people will be able to figure it out - maybe copy it and paste?
      Fun to see this!

      Delete

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