The List in My Purse

This is Glennon. She's the author of Momastery, a blog about motherhood and faith and life. Her first book was released on April 2. That evening I spent 30 seconds with her, put my arm around her for this picture and handed her a book to sign for my sister. Over the past two weeks I've been hanging out with her book...pen in hand, underlining her words and scribbling notes in the margins. Glennon is wise and honest and real. She's unafraid to tell her truth, even when she knows others will disagree. There's a sureness about her that I admire. The day before her book came out she wrote a post listing a few "beliefs" she'd be carrying with her on her book tour. "Just in case I get busy and nervous and forget who we are for a couple of minutes. I'm putting this list in my purse. So I can Remember and Not be Afraid." It got me thinking about my beliefs, except I realized in that anxious split second, I had no idea what my beliefs were. I had no list to put in my purse!! So, I've been thinking about it, asking myself what it is I know to be true right now at this point in my life, jotting down some notes...

1. It's okay to ask questions. Be courageous. It's how we make sense of our world and how we grow into our truth.

2. Pay attention to your intuition. The still small voice, whether you believe it's God or your conscience or some other unexplainable something, you'll hear it if you are quiet for long enough.

3. When you are in need, open a book. Whether you're looking for answers or just wanting to feel a little less alone.

4. There is peace in mystery. There is not an explanation for every single thing, at least not one that our human brains are able to comprehend at this time. Scary, but also very freeing.

5. Ask yourself, "What would love do?". What would love say in this situation? How would it react? This takes practice, probably over an entire lifetime, but that doesn't mean it's not worth working toward.

6. Be intentional about creating space. Napping, writing, running, yoga, meditation (it's a different combination for each of us) all help with #2 and refill me for the practice of #5.

7. Speak the truth to yourself first, only then can you be honest with others. I'm not sure there's anything else to say about that.

P.S. I highly recommend Glennon's book, Carry On, Warrior. It ranks right up there with Anne Lamott for me!