Anne Lamott: Money to the Red Cross

Posted by admin on Monday, May 21, 2018

Anne Lamott Money Quote saying ethics and character are something we learn by seeing them practiced – some parents raise kids to donate to the red cross and help to save the world. Anne Lamott said:
 

 
 

“I was raised by my parents to believe that you had a moral obligation to try and save the world. You sent money to the Red Cross, you registered people to vote, you marched in rallies, stood in vigils, picked up litter” ~ Anne Lamott

 

 

In this quote, Anne Lamott is describing how she was raised by her parents to feel a strong sense of civic duty and social responsibility. Some key things Lamott mentions:

• She was taught there is a “moral obligation” to try and make positive changes in the world through various actions.
• Examples of things she did as a result of this upbringing include donating money to humanitarian causes like the Red Cross, getting involved in the democratic process by registering voters, and participating in rallies/vigils for social or political causes she believed in.
• She also references more grassroots efforts like picking up litter, showing her parents emphasized hands-on involvement in bettering one’s community as well as larger societal issues.

Overall, the quote conveys that Lamott’s parents raised her with the important values of civic engagement, social justice and taking action, however small, to contribute to positive change according to one’s means. Their teachings left her feeling a moral duty to actively work to “save the world” through various forms of participation and support of good causes.

Anne Lamott: Having Money Existentially

Posted by admin on Saturday, September 2, 2017

Anne Lamott Money Quote saying something about having substantial money can lull us into the belief that we’re not helpless and exposed spiritually. Anne Lamott said:
 

 

“Having some money gives you the conviction that you’re not naked in the howling wind, even though you basically are, existentially” — Anne Lamott

 

 

In this quote, Anne Lamott is acknowledging that having some financial resources provides a sense of security and protection from life’s vulnerabilities. However, she also qualifies this by stating that “existentially” or from a deeper philosophical perspective, everyone remains fundamentally exposed and mortal regardless of wealth.

Lamott suggests money can deliver an illusory feeling of being clothed and sheltered from misfortune, but that on a human level we all experience nakedness, fragility and uncertainty before the vagaries of fate. Her perspective conveys that no amount of wealth truly shields one from life’s inherent uncertainties, impermanence and capacity to inflict suffering at any time.

The overall interpretation is that while Lamott recognizes money’s psychological comforts, she also sees through to life’s deeper truths – that prosperity does not exempt anyone from life’s inherent hardships, losses and existential questions that apply to rich and poor alike. One can never fully insulate oneself from life’s capacity to inflict pain or strip away worldly supports in an instant.