I grabbed a book on the way out of my office this morning, intending to peruse it for possible Joe To Go quotes. Traveling Mercies – Some thoughts on Faith, by Anne Lamott. It’s not a book of quotes, but a chronicle of her own life and spiritual struggle. I remember thinking at the time, I wonder if something in this book will speak to me this morning? I start flipping through the table of contents and it just jumps out at me. Chapter 7, P 247 A Man Who was Mean to his Dog. Shit. I have the same problem, it’s just a matter of degree. Just what I need but I was almost afraid to read it. The chapter spoke to me, both in identifying with the guy who was beating his Golden Retriever on the beach, but also in identifying with the author’s reluctance and fear to intervene, and the subsequent scorn she received from her son for not doing so.
After I finished the chapter, I was almost shocked that this book and this chapter “landed in my lap” at this precise time. Coincidence, sure, but it’s amazing how once I start regularly looking for inspiration and ideas to help me get unstuck, stuff pops up.