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    “12 Truths I Learned From Life and Writing” by Anne Lamott

    Görkem Gümüştekin • public
    • 4 min read
    “12 Truths I Learned From Life and Writing” by Anne Lamott

    Table of contents

    This speech is all about 12 truths that author Anne Lamott has learned from her life experiences and as a writer. You'll find that these truths cover a wide range of topics, from the creative process to spirituality to relationships. With her personal insights and stories, Lamott shares valuable lessons on how to live a more fulfilling, meaningful life.

    For Key Ideas, Questions and Quotes from this talk, you can scroll below.

    Anne Lamott gave this speech at the TED Conference. All rights to the speech and the video above belong to TED.

    About Anne Lamott?

    Anne Lamott is an American novelist and non-fiction writer. She is also a progressive political activist, public speaker, and writing teacher. Lamott is based in Marin County, California. Her nonfiction works are largely autobiographical. (Source: Wikipedia)

    Key Ideas From Talk

    Anne Lamott's speech intrigued me because it had a title that included writing. However, after I watched it, I realized that it was actually about what she learned from life. Its title is "12 Truths I Learned From Life and Writing." So, don't think of this talk as being solely about writing. Instead, think of it as the life experiences of a woman who has lived a long time, compressed into 12 items.

    Anne Lamott's experiences have led to a deep and meaningful speech, making it one of the best TED talks. The following are the key ideas that impressed me:

    1. Writing is an act of faith: Lamott believes that writing (and any creative pursuit) requires a willingness to take risks and trust in the unknown.
    2. Perfectionism is the enemy of creativity: According to Lamott, the desire to be perfect can stifle creativity and prevent us from making progress. We should embrace our imperfections and recognize that they make us unique.
    3. We all have a "shitty first draft": Lamott encourages writers to embrace the messy, imperfect nature of the creative process and recognize that everyone starts with a rough draft. Everyone has to start somewhere, after all!
    4. Writing (and life) requires discipline and perseverance: Lamott suggests that the key to success in writing (and in life) is to develop a daily practice and to stay committed, even in the face of obstacles. It's important to keep going, no matter what.
    5. Being present is essential to creativity and happiness: Lamott suggests that we can tap into our creativity and find greater joy in life by being fully present in the moment. Take time to appreciate the little things in life!
    6. Gratitude is essential to well-being: Lamott suggests that cultivating a practice of gratitude can help us find greater happiness and contentment in life. Take a moment to appreciate all the good things in your life!
    7. Forgiveness is a key to inner peace: Lamott suggests that holding onto resentment and anger can weigh us down and prevent us from finding inner peace. Let go of grudges and embrace forgiveness.
    8. We are all connected: Lamott suggests that recognizing our interdependence and connectedness with others can help us feel more compassionate and loving towards others. We are all in this together!
    9. Love is essential to our well-being: Lamott suggests that cultivating loving relationships and expressing love towards others is crucial for our happiness and fulfillment. Spread love and kindness wherever you go!
    10. Laughter is essential to our well-being: Lamott suggests that humor and laughter can be powerful tools for coping with life's challenges and finding joy in the midst of difficulty. Don't forget to laugh and have fun!
    11. We are all flawed, and that's okay: Lamott suggests that embracing our imperfections and recognizing that we all make mistakes can help us find greater compassion for ourselves and others. Nobody's perfect!
    12. Spirituality is a personal journey: Lamott suggests that everyone's spiritual journey is unique and personal, and that we should respect and honor each other's beliefs and paths. Everyone's path is different, and that's okay!

    Questions to Ask Ourselves

    1. How can I develop a daily practice to support my creative work or personal growth?
    2. In what areas of my life do I struggle with perfectionism, and how can I let go of the need to be perfect?
    3. How can I embrace the imperfect nature of my creative work or life in general?
    4. What obstacles do I face in pursuing my goals, and how can I stay committed and persevere?
    5. How can I cultivate a greater sense of presence in my daily life?
    6. What am I grateful for, and how can I cultivate a daily practice of gratitude?
    7. Are there any resentments or grudges I am holding onto that are weighing me down? How can I work towards forgiveness and letting go?
    8. How can I recognize my interconnectedness with others, and cultivate greater compassion and understanding towards them?
    9. In what ways can I express love and kindness towards others in my life?
    10. How can I incorporate humor and laughter into my daily life to help cope with challenges?
    11. How can I embrace my imperfections and mistakes as a natural part of the learning process?
    12. What spiritual beliefs or practices resonate with me, and how can I honor and explore my own spiritual journey?

    Notes From Talk

    ✒️
    Almost nothing outside of you that will help in any kind of lasting way, unless you’re waiting for an organ. You can’t buy, achieve or date serenity and peace of mind.
    ✒️
    Our help is usually not very helpful. Our help is often toxic. And help is the sunny side of control. Stop helping so much.
    ✒️
    Everyone is screwed up, broken, clingy and scared, even the people who seem to have it most together. They are much more like you than you would believe, so try not to compare your insides to other people’s outsides. It will only make you worse than you already are.
    ✒️
    Every writer you know writes really terrible first drafts, but they keep their butt in the chair. That’s the secret of life. That’s probably the main difference between you and them. They just do it. They do it by prearrangement with themselves. They do it as a debt of honor. They tell stories that come through them one day at a time, little by little.
    ✒️
    It’s so hard to bear when the few people you cannot live without die. You’ll never get over these losses, and no matter what the culture says, you’re not supposed to.

    This talk is a part of following list: "Talks That Changed My Perspective".