Anne Lamott Quotes

Sure, I get the blues. But what I try to do, is apply joy to the blues, you know? I don't know if it's a technique, or just being bent that way, being raised by the folks I was raised by.

I think I'm generally an upbeat person. Obviously I can get moody, but my whole philosophy is to try and have a good time.

Why am I so soft in the middle when the rest of my life is so hard?

How we feel about ourselves as we read the newspaper, set the table, wash the dishes, recycle the trash and wash our clothes... is essential to our overall happiness and well-being.

It is a challenge at times, but trying to stay centered and balanced helps me keep things in perspective.

I don't have many sad days.

You have to pay attention to the moment and make it the best it can be for you. I've been trying to do that. It's really made a major difference for me. I'm a happier person.

I really never look at my health issues as 'Woe is me.' I've seen the reality of that. And it's not a pleasant thing.

Happiness is an inside job.

We can feel joy even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year!

Happiness is not something that just comes to you. It's an active process.

When I'm having a tough patch I always try to focus on good things.

It's an inside job to learn about forgiving, it's an inside job to hang on to the joy of living.

I have no control over what people think, and if I were to spend energy on that, I would be a lifeless, deadened human being.

We not only need to work happy, we need to work at being happy.

In a funny way, when things went wrong in my life - and it is my fault that they went wrong, it is not anyone else's fault - and all the glittering outside things were taken away, I was left with the things of most value.

Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.

If someone decides they're not going to be happy, it's not your problem. You don't have to spend your time and energy trying to cheer up someone who has already decided to stay in a bad mood. Believe it or not, you can actually hurt people by playing into their self-pity.

I try to take the time to appreciate and I certainly do appreciate and I do feel proud but that is probably one of the things I need to work on, building a bit of time for myself.

I'm a very emotional person. If I've got something on my mind, that would stop me from giving my best.

To be happy when you are travelling, you need to be happy inside before you leave. A positive frame of mind will definitely enhance your travelling experience. If I'm not in a positive frame of mind then the whole thing definitely becomes more of a challenge for me.

You really have to try hard to create space and, at least for a time, stop the political world from rushing in. The important thing is to remain sane.

I've found joy, peace and perspective. Those are very good things to have.

Life's fairly excruciating. Painful things happen. Every now and then, you drag yourself out of the stream and stand on the bank gasping for air. I think that's how I work.

There are no plans that always work in life. For me, the secret to happiness is being positive and looking at the brighter side of my life.