Anne Lamott's quote, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird," encapsulates the essence of patience and incremental progress, particularly in the context of tackling life's challenges or pursuing creative endeavors.
The phrase "bird by bird" metaphorically suggests a step-by-step approach to overcoming obstacles. It emphasizes that rather than becoming overwhelmed by a daunting task or a complex problem, one should focus on addressing smaller, manageable parts of it. This method encourages individuals to break down their goals into achievable steps, making the process less intimidating.
The term "buddy" introduces a sense of camaraderie and support, implying that the journey is not faced in isolation but shared among peers or friends. This aspect of the quote highlights the importance of community and connection when navigating life's difficulties.
Overall, Lamott's advice serves as a reminder to approach challenges with patience and humility, advocating for a mindset that values progress, however small. By taking things "bird by bird," individuals can foster resilience and maintain motivation, ultimately leading to success in their endeavors.
“Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report written on birds that he'd had three months to write, which was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books about birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.”
“About novel Imperfect Birds by Anne Lamott.Q: What does the title "Imperfect Birds" mean?It's a line from a poem by Rumi. The line is "Each must enter the nest made by the other imperfect birds", and it's really about how these kind of scraggly, raggedy nests that are our lives are the sanctuary for other people to step into, and that if you want to see the divine, you really step into the absolute ordinary. When you're at your absolutely most lost and dejected ... where do you go? You go to the nests left by other imperfect birds, you find other people who've gone through it. You find the few people you can talk to about it.from Writer's Digest May/June 2010”
“I kept asking God for help, and after a while I realized something -- that Josh was not enjoying this either. He was just trying to take care of himself, and I made the radical decision to let him off the hook.”
“A little girl loves her bird--Why? Because it lives and feels; because it is helpless and harmless? A toad, likewise, lives and feels, and is equally helpless and harmless; but though she would not hurt a toad, she cannot love it like the bird, with its graceful form, soft feathers, and bright, speaking eyes.”
“Writing takes a combination of sophistication and innocence; it takes conscience, our belief that something is beautiful because it is right.”
“The single most radical thing I know . . . is that I get to take care of myself.”