The best advice I've heard in a long, long time.
Also in today's SunYay! Digest: When Judah Friedlander brutally made fun of me on stage, our next walking companion, and more.
If you can get to Lincoln, Nebraska— my friends, you don’t want to miss this. I’ll be performing and signing books at the most delightful book store, Francie and Finch November 4th. Get event details, here.
Years ago my mom asked an elderly neighbor, Barbara, to teach her how to knit.
So, a few times a week, they’d get together for coffee and knit together. On one of those days, Barbara noticed she dropped a stitch, far, far down, on the large blanket she was almost done creating. A dropped stitch can later unravel an entire column, so it couldn’t be overlooked. Without hesitation, Barbara grabbed the string and unraveled weeks worth of work, pulling, yanking, row after row, hours and hours of knitting, until she made it back to her mistake.
My mom was SICK watching the whole thing go down. “Oh Barbara!” she yelled, clutching her knitting needles to her chest. “That’s a week’s worth of knitting down the drain! How do you have the heart to finish after that?”
“What’s the big deal?” Barbara said looking up over the rim of her readers. “I’m still knitting.”
Y’all, that’s deeeeeeeeep. I know setbacks are brutal, but my friend, really— what’s the big deal? You’re still knitting.
Anna’s popular “Turning the Liminal Space into Art” speech has been taught at universities, Creative Mornings events, and a Christian version at several women’s ministries. Anna has also been booked as the hilarious entertainment for events, both secular and Christian. To book Anna for your conference, seminar, workshop, non-profit, book club, or ministry, inquire here, or if you have questions, reply to this email.
As for this week …
Here’s how I’m nourishing my mind:
Serving, even if I don’t want to. Which is often.
As you know, I volunteered to run the fall party in Lucy’s classroom. If you know me personally, you know that’s just dumb. (It’s worth noting I was in charge of the cookie decorating station and it was so chaotic, I didn’t even react when a little girl dumped the whole bottle of sprinkles. I think that’s the secret, actually— just go numb.)
I’m not good at volunteering. For so long, I’ve worked so hard, I just can’t bear adding one more responsibility to my plate. When my pastor makes an announcement for volunteers to run vacation bible school, for example, and looks me right in the eyes, I flutter my eyes around, like Rain Man trying to track a fly.
But I’ve realized, that as long as I am thoughtful and responsible for what I sign up for (booking yourself into an over taxed stress ball does no one any favors), volunteering actually gives me more time, because I’m more careful to not waste it. It also makes me feel involved, in community, and good about myself. Who knew?
That said, I won’t be signing up for the baby room ministry where babies that aren’t mine scream for their mamas and poop up their backs. That requires a special gifting, one I don’t have. Thank you and God bless.
Here’s how I’m nourishing my body:
My daily diet is specific so it can support my hard weight training workouts, so sometimes I’m just too stuffed to get in all the fruits and veg I’d like for wellness. I find green powders are disgusting and only masochists would drink them. But Kaged’s Outlive 100 is actually sort of delicious, with hints of apples and cinnamon. I wouldn’t make it into ice cream, but I don’t even think about gagging, so that’s really saying something. My girls have caught several colds and viruses since starting school and I’m the only one in my family to not catch a single one KNOCKING ON ALL THE WOOD. I’m certain it’s in some part because of this daily regimen. Get it if you like, no pressure from me. But be sure to use my code ALT15 to get 15% off if you do :D.
Why do I have a code, you ask? I’m so obsessed with Kaged products for my workouts, that I asked to be an ambassador. I don’t get paid, I just get a percentage off. “Hi, I’m a humor writer who wants to promote your workout products because I buy so much of it and I’m really needing that discount or I’ll have to sell my car,” was my original pitch, and they accepted.
Let’s Walk!
Set your goal to 10K steps a day. You don’t gotta get weird out there, just enjoy yourself.
Here’s our Episode Seven, in the I’m Not Ready for This walk with me series, “I’m Not Ready to Run Badly in Public.”
Here’s how I’m nourishing my spirit:
I’ve been listening to gospel music. Not pop worship, no, no. Good, old school, gospel.
It stirs something up in the soul. You should try it.
Virals You Can’t Miss
Dear teenagers: You used to be sicko, stalkers. Remember that.
I Need to Be Real with You and it Might Hurt a Little: A Marriage Story
When Judah Friedlander Brutally Made Fun of Me on Stage
And, of course, the best way to support me is to not only buy my books, but to get a copy for your friends and family to help support my mission to spread laughter. Get a personalized, signed copy now.
Have we met? I’m Anna Lind Thomas, a humor writer out of Omaha, Nebraska. I’m listed as one of USA Today’s top ten funniest women writers, and author of the best selling book We’ll Laugh About This (Someday) and my latest - I’m Not Ready for This. Once you read them, text me (number’s in the back and I respond!). Don’t forget to say hi on Facebook and Instagram.