“Forgiveness. The ability to forgive oneself. Stop here for a few breaths and think about this because it is the key to making art, and very possibly the key to finding any semblance of happiness in life. Every time I have set out to translate the book (or story, or hopelessly long essay) that exists in such brilliant detail on the big screen of my limbic system onto a piece of paper (which, let’s face it, was once a towering tree crowned with leaves and a home to birds). I grieve for my own lack of talent and intelligence. Every. Single. Time. Were I smarter, more gifted, I could pin down a closer facsimile of the wonders I see. I believe, more than anything, that this grief of constantly having to face down our own inadequacies is what keeps people from being writers. Forgiveness, therefore, is key. I can’t write the book I want to write, but I can and will write the book I am capable of writing. Again and again throughout the course of my life I will forgive myself.”
~ Ann Patchett
Image: Bokeh Spiral by Eric Wüstenhagen via Flickr
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
I feel forgiving oneself is often harder than forgiving others. At least I find this to be true of myself. I can forgive others a bit easier, most of the time, but mistakes I’ve made in the past I find I use the term “should” often – which is a deadly word. A silent killer, similar to stress, that eats away at your confidence, progress, and healing like a double-edged sword. I love this photo by the way – it’s mesmerizing! 🙂 Have a great weekend Rudri! -Iva
Iva,
I tend to place blame on myself when a situation doesn’t work out. Harping on what I could or should of done, I find it difficult to let go and ultimately end up stewing silently because of my inability to forgive myself.