If you don't believe in God, it may help to remember this great line of Geneen Roth's: that awareness is learning to keep yourself company. And then learn to be more compassionate company, as if you were somebody you are fond of and wish to encourage. I doubt that you would read a close friend's early efforts and, in his or her presence, roll your eyes and snicker. I doubt that you would pantomime sticking your finger down your throat. I think you might say something along the lines of, 'Good for you. We can work out some of the problems later, but for now, full steam ahead!

God can't clean the house of you when you're still in it.

I know nothing, except what everyone knows--if there when grace dances, I should dance.

We stitch together quilts of meaning to keep us warm and safe, with whatever patches of beauty and utility we have on hand.

grace is a small white butterfly, and life is a semi trailer careening up 101.

Grace means suddenly you__e in a different universe from the one where you were stuck, and there was absolutely no way for you to get there on your own.