Eat, Pray, Love - A Memoir That Inspired
Eat, Pray, Love- Elizabeth Gilbert's NY Times Best Seller...
Eat: A book that nourished my soul.
Pray: A book that brought me the enlightenment I sought.
Love: A book that I truly fell in love with.
Are you trying to navigate yourself down life's journey? Then program your GPS and head in the direction of a bookstore or library. When I first heard of Eat, Pray, Love it sounded interesting, but I never got around to it. Three months later, to my surprise, my cousin Joey gave me the book as a gift. Since I never mentioned the book to anyone, I was curious and asked why this gift? He had heard about it and when he read the cover flap I came to his mind. Was it destiny? Had this book 'navigated to me'? As excited as I was to explore it, the book found itself a nice parking spot on my nightstand for about six months. Although, I did move it to dust! Truth is, I was so busy with life, so once again..I never got around to it.
Five months later, it was spring--symbolic for renewal of life. Coincidentally, this was the time I embarked on a rebirth of my own. I made a life changing decision to alter my life and turned down a job offering an exceptional salary; crazy right? Well, it was crazy according to societal norms and many of my friends and family at the time. I would lie in bed at night pondering my decision; questioning the direction my life was going. Staring back at me one night, from the nearby nightstand, Eat, Pray, Love began to yell out "recalibrating, turn here!"; like that annoying voice on my GPS. So I gave in. I responded and began to explore the pages before me. I was immediately captivated and completed the book in two days!
At times I felt like I was living the journey outlined before me. Although not identical life situations, I could relate. Ironically, she was a girl from Connecticut living in New York; I on the other hand was a girl from New York living in Connecticut. At 34 she quit her job to embark on a transformational journey and here I was, also 34 doing the same. Was Elizabeth Gilbert speaking of me too? I was truly inspired. This book, my so called GPS, validated to me that I was on the right path. Words jumped off the pages, settling deep in my soul. Printed literature expressed the thoughts and feelings buried in my mind afraid to escape. Just as Elizabeth, I was embarking on my own journey, even though the destination was somewhat unknown. But today, as I still am traveling, my journey is proving to be one that is fulfilling and inspiring, not only to me, but to those around me.
Why should this book be on your nightstand? Because I feel that Elizabeth Gilbert got it right. Beleive me, I am not a book critic. Simply a person who received a perfect gift at a perfect time. How grateful I am to Joey!! Eat, Love, Pray marked an inspirational moment in my life and it may do the same to yours. It's more than a title, more than words on page. The core is about self love and life's journey towards achieving happiness. Isn't that what most of us strive for?
..."people universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you're fortunate enough. But that is not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort...You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it..." - Elizabeth Gilbert..."This was my moment to look for the kind of healing and peace that can only come from solitude." - Elizabeth GIlbert
Wellness Tip: Seeking an answer, validation, direction for your journey? Take a meditation moment each day to listen to your internal GPS. How? Do something that puts you in a moment of silence. Whatever that may be - meditation, prayer, hot bath, a walk, massage, bike ride, gardening, writing/journaling, or try a reiki or reflexology session. Indulge in any activity that can put you in a sense of YOU. Feel like you don' have time? Sitting quietly for just 2 minutes a day can be beneficial. Schedule a time out. Be alone with your thoughts. Allow yourself to hear the silence now and then. In silence you may hear answers you seek. Listen to what makes you truly happy. Then choose to make a personal effort to achieve it.
Ciao for now!
Jeannine
Posted by Jeannine Capria at Friday, August 21. 2009 
Categories: Emotional Health, Prevention and Wellness, Coaching
Categories: Emotional Health, Prevention and Wellness, Coaching
Thank you for the recommendation. You truly keep us motivated by sharing your insights and experiences. A thought to share with you....A wise duo once stated "Drive the journey like you drive the car...with open eyes and awareness of your surroundings!"
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I want to read the book !
You .....
continue to inspire !
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Alison, it truly is a great book! Perhaps you can take it with you if you have a trip that requires a long plan ride
. I also believe they are making a movie out of the book. So if you don't read the book at least you can watch the movie. However I always feels that you lose something in the translation from literary works to a movie script.
Thanks for your comment!
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I too was inspired by this book. Like you, it sat on my nightstand until one night, feeling uninspired and stagnant in my life, I picked up the book, out of pure boredom! The journey this book took me on was so amazing that I felt as if I could be her! Why can’t I explore the world? She was at her lowest point in life, asking someone for change, until she realized, she was the only one that could put the wheels in motion! She had to be the one to set her destiny, where she wanted to go and who she wants to be. Why does she have to do what society says is correct? These are questions that I too am asking myself through my journey. Life is what we make of it, where does our passion take us? Are we listening? As Elizabeth eloquently put it, happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You have to participate in your life in order to make it what YOU want! This is definatly an inspiring book and I hope everyone picks it up and becomes inspired! Be a participant in your life, not a spectator!!
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Christina,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. Yes, what I wished to inspire about this blog, was not so much you have to read this book, although I really do hope many do give it a chance, but rather you take away that life is what you make of it. Happiness just doesn't come upon you if you are lucky, you have to work towards finding it, achieving it and maintaining it. We all have moments in which we feel like the world's negative energy is targeting us. Many do have very challenging situations and I don't claim to have the secret to finding the solution. But what I have learned is that given time, the answers will come as long as we will allow ourselves to listen and learn as we journey along. Eventually we all find our answers and hopefully all find happiness. Like my mother always told me when I've struggled along my path in finding some of my answers...."be patient, it may not happen in your time, but it will always happen at the right time".
Thanks for you being YOU
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Jeannine,
Once again, you always bring me back to the question, have I taken time for myself?? Well, I actually did! I am trying to add that little special part to my crazy everyday life. I always see you sitting on one shoulder(hands on hips) and I need not to mention the other people on my other shoulder(lol). So yes, you do make a big difference in my life. You do stay with me as a good reminder....TAKE TIME FOR MYSELF!!! Love ya! I am very proud of you!!
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Thanks so much Christine for your loving words. We all need a reminder every now and again. You know there is a quote in the book when Elizabeth says..."People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life....A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life."
Soulmates don't have to be that "romantic partner". But that partnership in your life that help you transform. This is what I feel that we are to eachother. Love you also!
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