Over the Labor Day holiday (read: when procrastination set in), I was finally able to pick up one of the books that I've been itching to read for years: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. As I'm sure you are all aware, this book has recently been made into a movie starring Julia Roberts. You should all also be aware of my refusal to see a movie before I read the book. I do believe that this movie was released well over a month ago, and to my knowledge it's still showing in theaters. At the rate I'm going with this novel, I may just be able to catch Julia on the big screen (although I don't feel as though it is mandatory for this novel).
This book is split into three sections based on the author's travels to Italy, India, and Indonesia. She writes of her revelations and experiences during her journeys. I knew from the get-go that I would adore this book because not only do I adore traveling, but all I do while I'm traveling is immerse myself in the culture and meditate about my life. (You know, exactly the same thing Elizabeth Gilbert does! Only she's much better at verbalizing it.)
Of course, reading this book was kind of like reading the writing on my soul and mind. I've expressed some of these thoughts before, but they are listed again based on some quotes that I've found in this novel. Please read below and laugh, cry, argue, and enjoy!
This is probably my favorite quote thus far in the book, and is stated before Elizabeth leaves for her trip to Italy: "Having a baby is like getting a tattoo on your face. You really need to be certain it's what you want before you commit." She was very unhappy in her marriage and felt that society (and her husband) were pressuring her into something that she didn't want - a baby. I, of course, can relate. Everyone is settling down, getting married, and having kids. While this isn't direct pressure, it is indirectly saying to single people everywhere: reproduce and follow others' examples. I want to do none of that. Everyone says I'll change my mind. I won't. I don't want to. Don't force me.
Speaking of "examples," EG quoted The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Indian yogic text: "It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of someone else's life with perfection." Now who nailed that one on the head!? (That quote also reminds me of another one of my favorites from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.") If I need to explain that quote to y'all based on what I said in the paragraph above, then you have issues...
...which leads me to another revelation EG had in her book. When discussing marriage and life with her mother, EG realized that she did not have to be "stuck" in her marriage, or anything else in her life for that matter. She asked herself, "...What are my choices to be? What do I believe that I deserve in this life? Where can I accept sacrifice, and where can I not?" (I really do think that EG and I were friends in a past life, although I, of course, was the more mature friend. I say this only because it took her to the age of 31 to ask herself these questions; I've been asking myself these questions since I was 13.) If you haven't pondered these questions for a few minutes and you're over the age of 25, I highly suggest that you do. You'll be a stronger person because of it.
So, as you lay in bed tonight and think about absolutely nothing but how wise I am and how my blog just completely changes your life, also think about this: What do I deserve in this life?
