10 Things That Are More Important Than My New Book

So as far as newspapers go, I have to admit, the Jackson Cit Pat has always been good to me.

When I lead the disaster relief trip to Ground Zero in 2001, they were the first media outlet to jump on board. They covered the release of my first book in 2006 too. And now they’ve outdone themselves with this article and, my favorite part, a gallery of photos of my ba-bay, the Emperor Justus (Seriously, Monetta and Jeremiah, thank you).

But in all the hoopla about a silly book, this might be a good time to mention that in all the tweeting and blogging and facebook updating and promoting, there are a whole lot of things in life that are more important than writing books.

Yes, even more important than my book.

Here are just 10 of the Millions:

1. The learning behind the book. My search for meaning and growth has always sprung from my simple-yet-messy faith in the one we call God. That’s bedrock for me. Just sayin’.

2. My family. The world’s best french toast maker (my husband), the Emperor (the 9 month old whom I serve), my parents and my lifelong best friends and biggest annoyances, my brothers, David and John.

3. My friends. I can’t begin to capture what high caliber people have crossed paths with me over time or how much their support and everyday laughter has meant to my life. This is starting to sound sorta sappy. I need to tell a joke quick.

4. Faith communities. Some of my writing has explored the downside of organized religion, but the truth is, I’m pretty attached to a handful of faith communities that left their marks (mixes of ups and downs) on my journey. I’m in for the long haul.

5. Local roots. My pretend life as an author/speaker who occasionally splits town to rub elbows with readers? It pales in comparison to my real life at home in the ordinary midwest. When you end up in a place where you want to be, with people you want to be with, there’s something extraordinary that is worth so much more than a few minutes of applause.

6. Work. I don’t just mean general productivity, but the idea of sinking years into kids–an investment in potential that is worth all the door slamming. (Remind me of that next week when the new quarter starts.)

7. Personal Growth. (These aren’t in the right order, btw). The opportunity to screw up, to find my way, to keep on trying, to become a different person tomorrow than I am today…I love it.

8.Suffering. There are needs, real needs that go way beyond jammed copiers, baby spit up and dog prints all over the house, in this world. Haiti is a fresh example of that. I wish the world would make Haiti our celebrities and develop a fascination with helping them that exceeds our fixation for the red carpet. (Not that I don’t love a well-written movie, but priorities matter, right?)

9.Contentment. The chance to learn and re-learn that, despite the sometimes unfair shakeouts and disappointments in life, all is well. That nothing can touch our core. That we can go on and be whole.

10. Perspective. That at the end of life, we’ll never wish we wrote more books (insert your pet accomplishments/dreams). We’ll wish we spent more time with the people we loved, that we kissed our children more, apologized to people who matter to us, and found generous grace for those who share the ups and downs of life. So many things we think matter now won’t matter then. I promise. Not even books.

Thank you so much, locals, friends, readers, online compadres. You’ve added goodness to my life that makes book-writing just a hobby–a side dish next to the entree of real life.