Gift from the sea – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

In a slim volume of selections from Gift From the Sea, where Anne Morrow Lindbergh muses on self, soul, woman’s life and purpose, I found the following:

… the answer is not in the feverish pursuit of centrifugal activities which only lead in the end to fragmentation. On the contrary, woman must consciously encourage those pursuits which oppose the centrifugal forces of today. Quiet time alone, contemplation, prayer, music, a centering line of thought of reading, of study or work. It can be physical or intellectual or artistic, any creative life proceeding from oneself. It need not be an enormous project or a great work. But it should be something of one’s own. What matters is that one be for a time inwardly attentive.

Having written about the Shultz hour not long ago, Lindbergh’s suggestion seems quite complimentary.

Of course, this has nothing to do with historical fiction. But then, not every post has to 🙂

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M.K. Tod writes historical fiction and blogs about all aspects of the genre at A Writer of History. Her latest novel, TIME AND REGRET was published by Lake Union August 2016. Mary’s other novels, LIES TOLD IN SILENCE and UNRAVELLED are available from Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iTunes. She can be contacted on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads or on her website www.mktod.com.

 

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11 Responses

  1. I enjoyed this book too, and here’s a tie-in to historical fiction. The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin tells the story of Anne’s relationship to Charles Lindbergh. I found it to be an entertaining read, although it definitely changed my perspective on Charles.

    1. Hi Pat .. yes I too read The Aviator’s Wife and I agree with your assessment. I think that I found this little volume in my stepfather’s bookshelf at about the same time. He had passed away several years earlier and I was helping my mother go through her things in preparation for a move. I’m not a very introspective person, but I found her writing made me think. All best

  2. why just women? Everyone should encourage it. Actually Christian monks have practiced and encouraged it since around year 300.
    ‘Inwardly attentive’, that’s basically “nepsis”, central to Orthodox theology and also daily life for all.

    1. You’re right, of course, Emma. I had to look up nepsis – and found this definition: a state of watchfulness or sobriety acquired following a long period of catharsis. Sounds rather weighty!! Hope you’re doing well.

      1. Indeed, I think “inwardly attentiveness” does require some work, especially in our society where we are bombarded by so much nonsense and messages pushing you to buy or just cater to your superficial needs, not to nourish your deep self.

  3. I have this book by my night stand and pick it up to read every once in awhile for inspiration.

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