The truth? The truth about all this?… We’re doing the best we can, we really are. We’re trying to be grown-up and love each other and understand how the hell you’re supposed to insert USB leads. We’re looking for something to cling on to, something to fight for, something to look forward to. We’re doing all we can to teach our children how to swim. We have all of this in common, yet most of us remain strangers, we never know what we do to each other, how your life is affected by mine. Perhaps we hurried past each other in a crowd today, and neither of us noticed, and the fibers of your coat brushed against mine for a single moment and then we were gone. I don’t know who you are. But when you get home this evening, when this day is over and the night takes us, allow yourself a deep breath. Because we made it through this day as well. There’ll be another one along tomorrow.
— Fredrik Backman, “Anxious People: A Novel” (Atria Books, September 8, 2020)
Notes:
- Fredrik Backman portrait by Casper Hedberg for The New York Times
- Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”
How lovely, David.
Connections can be so fleeting yet profound. We just never know.
Beautifully described Jean. Yes.
the butterfly effect
Yes.
Pls explain in detail. I think I get the outline but it’s not an expression I know. Tks Beth 😘
“The butterfly effect is the idea that small things can have non-linear impacts on a complex system. The concept is imagined with a butterfly flapping its wings and causing a typhoon..”
https://fs.blog/2017/08/the-butterfly-effect/
Excellent response!
Thank you SO MUCH – fascinating, interesting, important…..
The butterfly effect is the idea that small things can have non-linear impacts on a complex system. The concept is imagined with a butterfly flapping its wings and causing a typhoon. Of course, a single act like the butterfly flapping its wings cannot cause a typhoon, but one things leads to another…
oh, THANK YOU. That’s fantastic and I think that, if I knew that, I must have forgotten it along the years…. blame it on age! 😉
🦋 I learn so many new things every day
“We’re doing the best we can…” Especially true these days. And yes, the impact of small connections can be magnificent. Ripples in the pond….☺️
Yep, right there.
Lori, being the ‘new kid in town’ here (although a rather oldish one), I make that very experience nearly every day. It’s also a great teacher ❤
This is my next book in the queue, and I can’t wait. These words comfort me like few do these days..
🙂
Sounds about right!
🙂
Yes and Amen …
too bad about the dissatisfied expression though – the message gives advice for hope.
I think that is his “at peace” look.
Really….
Gosh………… This is what drives me up the wall with HH. The “at peace” expression shouldn’t have down-pulled mouth corners….. But I know, this is a sensitive subject with me 🤔🤗
I agree. His eyes say it and his face muscles are relaxed 😉
Yes, another one today…
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Yes, we are!! The best we can … “But when you get home this evening, when this day is over and the night takes us, allow yourself a deep breath. Because we made it through this day as well. There’ll be another one along tomorrow.” — Fredrik Backman, “Anxious People: A Novel” (Atria Books, September 8, 2020) .
I miss people. No stranger brushing against me or being in a crowd …. Doing the best I can seems easier in isolation.
You and a billion others!
Val, a friend held on my arm on Sunday for about 45 sec – I nearly fainted with the pleasure of somebody else but family holding me…. 🙂
smiling … thank you for sharing this magnetic occurance!
My first reaction: he looks like a little boy trying not to cry, trying to be brave…reminiscent of the 3 year old boy from the other day, needing someone strong and loving to let him know that he will be alright…. As adults we have to find that within our selves….
What an amazing face read!
Just started reading his latest book last night. I’m hooked.
Good!
that deep breath must feel wonderful… I’ll have to give it a try…
Me too!
Lovely words.
They are. Thanks Fiona.
That we are… doing the best we can; trying to notice the little things and breathing. We keep forgetting to take deep breaths.
That’s it. So easy to say. And yet it seems to hard to find a few seconds to do it.
I know. We have to make the conscious decision to do so. When did it become so hard?
ALWAYS!
Truth!
This is perhaps one of my favorite of your blogs, enough that I shared it on FB. It echoes what I think we’re all needing to hear.
Namaste, friend.
So glad. Thank you for sharing