Anne Lamott Quotes

My first book, 'Radical Acceptance', grew out of the suffering of feeling personally deficient and unworthy. Because most of us are so quick to turn against ourselves, the teachings and practices of radical acceptance continue as a strong current in 'True Refuge': nurturing a forgiving, understanding heart is a basic step on the path.

Dedicating some time to meditation is a meaningful expression of caring for yourself that can help you move through the mire of feeling unworthy of recovery. As your mind grows quieter and more spacious, you can begin to see self-defeating thought patterns for what they are, and open up to other, more positive options.

Self-compassion is how we recover.

Only if you love yourself, only if you're happy with yourself and only if you know your own worth will you ever be happy.

I know firsthand how long it takes to learn how to love yourself.

Rest and be kind, you don't have to prove anything

When there is no desire to satisfy yourself, there is no aggression or speed... Because there is no rush to achieve, you can afford to relax. Because you can afford to relax, you can afford to keep company with yourself, you can afford to make love with yourself, to be friends with yourself.

I want to accept myself completely, just as I am.

I no longer agree to treat myself with disrespect. Every time a self-critical thought comes to mind, I will forgive the Judge and follow this comment with words of praise, self-acceptance, and love.

I've learned to take things a little more easily, to be a little more forgiving of myself.

Life is where you're at. Whatever you're doing is enough. You don't need to do everything well all the time. When you live your life like that, it's a huge relief.

I just try to feel good in my own skin as much as I can.

By loving yourself, you're going to be a happy person. A lot of people don't like themselves for whatever reason.

I'm fine the way I am. There's nothing wrong with me.

I have from time to time been a double A or triple A personality. I'm not anymore. I'm more lenient on myself.

You have to be happy with yourself first of all - that's the most important thing.

It is of practical value to learn to like yourself. Since you must spend so much time with yourself you might as well get some satisfaction out of the relationship.

If there's no inner peace, people can't give it to you. The husband can't give it to you. Your children can't give it to you. You have to give it to you.

Until you can be happy, you can't facilitate happiness for anybody else.

The only thing I can talk about is just forgiving yourself, because I do not have everything together. And so I tell people: No, you should see my house, it's a mess.

To complete your daily mental hygiene, observe any part of you that is upset or anxious, and offer that part of yourself the following simple wishes: 'May you be well. May you be happy. May you be free from suffering.' Repeat this until you actually mean it.

The greatest gift that you can give yourself is a little bit of your own attention.

My inner child is not wounded.

Every day is a reminder to accept myself as I am.

I'm more relaxed and just feel like there's kind of a peace with myself.