My therapist quoted this to me about 6 months after I started seeing her. She didn’t know who had originally said it, or that it was a song; she had read it in a book & it had stuck with her, so she shared it with me. It really struck a chord with me, but I didn’t write it down, & sort of forgot it until a couple of months ago. I asked her about it again, this time writing down the words, then googled them to see if they were part of a poem or something.
It’s a verse from the song “Anthem” by Leonard Cohen. After listening to it, it’s not my favorite song in the world, but I think the words, particularly these 4 lines, are pertinent for so many of us.
Ring the bells that you can ring.
She had changed the words, whether intentionally or not, from “that still can ring” to “that you can ring.” It’s an important reminder: there are only so many things you can change (hint: fewer than you think). Realize what those things are, & let the other things go.
Forget your perfect offering.
I am, by nature, a perfectionist. Sometimes it’s hard for me to come to terms with the fact that I can’t do everything perfectly. But that’s OK, because…
There is a crack in everything.
Nothing & no one is perfect. Accept that, and love people in spite of (or maybe because of) their imperfections. Acknowledge, even embrace the cracks in circumstances & situations.
That’s how the light gets in.
It’s through imperfections that things are illuminated, made beautiful.
Do you ever feel like you’re working for the weekend? Always wanting to get to the next thing already? Last week, I saw this print, & was reminded that this, my life right now, is all I have. The past is gone. I’m not promised the future. I don’t want to live my life constantly anticipating the next thing, saying when such-&-such happens, I’ll be happy then. I want to find joy in now, the everyday moments. In those times when my husband catches me by the waist while I’m in the kitchen cooking dinner and kisses me unexpectedly. When my friend & I get so giggly in the middle of a store we forget that we’re 23 & suddenly we’re in high school again. Taking time to relax for a few minutes here & there, drink tea, write. Not be so rushed all the time because really, where am I going that is so important? Enjoying the journey, & finding happiness in the little things.
What “perfect offerings” are hard to let go? In what everyday things do you find happiness?
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34
[print via]
[photo circa 2007]
Comments on Anthem.
From Slamdunk:
Excellent message–I am not familiar with that song/quote.
From HoustonGurly:
Well said! I need remiders like this to help me get through my daily life unrushed, unstressed and less irritated. *deep breath* There, that’s better!
Now I think I’m going to go have a cup of tea. :)
From samdotcom:
This post basically embodies how I’ve been trying to live for the past year. To stop worrying about tomorrow, to let go everything I can’t control and to truly live in each moment. When I’m training, I stop thinking about yesterday and tomorrow which allows me to focus entirely on working hard as I can. I often leave my blackberry at home when I’m out with friends so the temptation to check email, twitter, etc isn’t there, and I can focus solely on having a blast and giving them my full attention. I’ve become a better athlete and employee, and a more present and loving friend and girlfriend. Your therapist sounds like she’s nearly as awesome as you are :)
Also? Looove the picture.
From Sass:
I’m totally printing that “poster” of the van. I think I wanna frame it and hang it in my son’s room :)
thanks!
From Stephanie~LittleInsights.com:
So, absolutely, positively true!!! I learned to let go of many things years ago. Every once in awhile the old me resurfaces and I am forced to shove her in a closet somewhere!!
From Heidi H.:
“And the day came when the risk it took to remain inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” — Anais Nin
That’s one of my favorite quotes. It really sums up how I fell/felt about my journey to deal with my issues (perfectionism was/is one).
I think it’s great that you share honestly about yourself and especially about going to therapy. I am a huge proponent of therapy and have benefited from it greatly. So thanks for sharing! :-)
From Samantha:
I feel this way all too often. I’m always striving to live in the moment and find happiness in the little, everyday things. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I get wrapped up in worrying or living for bigger and better things that I’m hoping for in the future. But it’s silly when you think about it, since, like you said, we’re only promised today.
I hope that you continue to find happiness in the little things. :)
From Sarah @ This Heavenly Life:
I have LOVED that quote on the van poster for the longest time now. It’s so true. Just like you said, the past is gone, and we’re not guaranteed a future, so we might as well BE happy, right now.
Everyday things I find happiness in? When I can breathe-in the smell of my daughter’s head. When the air outside smells like paradise. When I turn the music up loud and move my body. When something new fascinates me. Reading really good writing :)
From Tabaitha:
Thank you, thank you for sharing this. It’s very hard for me to focus on the present sometimes and let alone set aside my perfectionism in myself. I appreciate the words of wisdom!
From Elizabeth:
This was very uplifting on a bad day. Thanks.
From Ashley:
Thanks for this post. Just tonight I was stressing out about some things and trying to figure everything out. This reminded me that I can’t do everything and trying to do it all just makes me stressed and overwhelmed. So thank you!!
From Amy --- Just A Titch:
Ohhh, Lauren…we are so on the same page in this area. I could have written this post myself. Seriously. Big love, girl.
From DebbieQ:
Absolutely excellent post.
From Kyla Roma:
This is something I’ve been really working on over the past year, it’s really tough but it’s so worth it to just stop struggling so hard. Everything still goes on, only you’re happy! Imagine! =)
My big problem is wanting to have everything figured out in terms of work. It’s really hard for me to accept that right now there are just a lot of unanswered questions in terms of how the next few years will look and that’s how it is. I’m trying to work hard and hopefully carve out a little piece of certainty for myself where I can- but other than that I just have to let go of the idea of having it all figured out. It’s kind of made up mostly, anyways. But it’s a heck of an attractive illusion!
From Cio:
Thank you. (seriously)
From Cole:
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing that quote…
From Nora:
You rock.
Why, you ask? Because you’re posting this during a time where I’m reminding myself to step back, enjoy the time and life I do have, go with the flow more, be less of a perfectionist/planner (I’m so with you on that one) and just enjoy. I need to learn stop beating myself up over things I can’t control, smile more and just be.
Awesome post.
And also? That picture of you is fierce. Model Lauren, perhaps!? :)
From bblissful:
Whoa! How odd … Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised!
My blog post today is titled: letting in the light.
Leonard Cohen’s song was playing in the back of my fuddly, problemo-filled head. I love that you know this quote. It’s a beauty.
And after seeing the lil trailer poster, I’m filled with sunshiney thoughts on this not-nearly-so-crappy-now day! Thank you, Ms. Texas.
Jacqueline xx
From Erin:
A. That I can’t do everything.
B. My sonnie son.
Love you, galfren. This post spoke to me.
From Stephany:
Living in the moment is something I’ve really been working hard to put into effect in my life. In a way, I do feel like I live in the moment. Sure, I’m happy when Friday rolls around and I have some time to SLEEP and enjoy my weekends.
But I like my job. It’s fun and I like who I work with, a lot. And I like my classes in school and the challenges I’m facing this semester with them. And I love, love, love my internship.
So it’s easier to live in the moment when I’m happy with my life. When I’m not happy with my life/where I’m headed, then all I can think of getting to a point where I’m happy. And then my thought processes turn to “If I can just have X, THEN I will be happy.”
The funny thing is, my pastor talked about this and how people tend to have this mindset. And then we get X and realize it’s not all it’s cracked up to be so we find a new X. X can only be fulfilled by God and His promises. And I think life is a lot easier to handle and enjoy when we are living in God’s purpose.
And I just wrote a book on this comment. Sorry about that. :)
From hannahkaty:
Ah yes, working for the weekend. I am guilty of that. I need to remind myself more to stay in the moment because the moment is so precious and when boiled down: this moment is all we are guaranteed. Scary, a little morbid, but so true.
Great post.
Best,
Hannah Katy
From Kim Pennell:
I like that, Lauren. Good reminders to enjoy what we have. Right now.
onto other things.
if your mom tells you I said you were 26 don’t believe her.
ha ha.
i love you girl- keep dancing – Kimp
From MelissaOK:
Exactly what I needed to read at this exact moment…
Thanks for posting!