The Four Pillars

9 Jan

I read on CNN that Hillary Clinton had co-written a mystery book with a famous Canadian author I had never heard of, Louise Penny. Hillary’s book got mixed reviews, but the first of many books by Ms. Penny was exalted.

I have taken to audiobooks to encourage me to spend more time in the kitchen cooking, baking and cleaning up. With my chief dish washer still in Texas for a few more weeks, I need all the encouragement I can get. Cleaning up is not my forte.

I have not finished Still Life, but I’m enjoying it immensely. A few days ago, the main protagonists said something I had to replay several times. It was one of those lessons I needed to hear.

Of these four noteworthy statements, “I need help” seems to be the most difficult for me, followed in close second by, “I don’t know”. I freely admit that if we know everything, we learn nothing. I grew up in the time of women’s liberation and as a lesbian, asking for help, especially from men, was frowned upon.

Since taking note of this foible of mine, I have caught myself several times saying, “yes” to offers of help. The roof did not cave in, no one thought me less capable and I didn’t spend a lot of time trying to figure out something that was outside my realm of expertise. It also felt good to be vulnerable.

So which is your Achilles’ heel? They’re pretty easy to remember,

<I need help,

<I don’t know,

<I’m sorry,

<I was wrong.

DOS TORTAS

Every day,

6 Responses to “The Four Pillars”

  1. emilys72016 January 9, 2022 at 1:01 pm #

    I’m so glad you have discovered the wonder that is Louise Penny! I listened to all of the CI Armand Gamache series audiobooks over the past couple of years, after a librarian friend recommended them to me. Some of the best books I’ve ever read, er, listened to. And the series just keeps getting better. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

    As for Achilles heel, yes, asking for help is probably the hardest for me, followed by “I was wrong.”

    Liked by 1 person

    • afish25 January 9, 2022 at 1:13 pm #

      Thanks for the recommendation. Have you read STATE OF TERROR? I’m curious how it is.

      Like

      • emilys72016 January 9, 2022 at 1:19 pm #

        Not yet. I have it on hold at the library. I saw an interview that Clinton and Penny did on CBS Sunday morning, and they were a hoot together — great friends and seemed to really enjoy working together. I look forward to reading it.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Emilie January 9, 2022 at 4:38 pm #

    It’s taken me years, but I’m able to say all four.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Jill Frels January 12, 2022 at 2:56 pm #

    Thanks again for a very enjoyable piece. Good stuff. In Co Anon we ask would you rather be right or would you rather have serenity.

    Liked by 1 person

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