Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Read, "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert

A fabulous book I just finished reading is, "Eat, Pray, Love," by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is a wonderful story of a woman searching for herself as she travels and explores new lands and people. It will inspire you to follow your dreams and find your unique passions.

“In her early thirties, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern woman was supposed to want- husband, country home, successful career- but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she felt consumed by panic and confusion. This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success, and of what she found in their place. Following a divorce and a crushing depression, Gilbert set out to examine three different aspects of her nature, set against the backdrop of three different cultures: pleasures of Italy, devotion in India, and on the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence.”

One important lesson from this book is to not follow the “typical” path or do the “conventional” things just because it is the way things are “supposed” to be. Instead, explore the world and discover who you truly are and what you truly love to do. Take the time to seek out different paths that you may not have been exposed to otherwise. Ask yourself, “if I could do anything at this very moment what would I do?”. The answer to this question may change over time. That is ok. I think it should. We should continue to grow and explore throughout our lives and therefore, find new ways to add passion to our lives.

Another lesson from this book is when you discover your passions be sure to fill everyday with them. Life is too short to live any other way. Your career, your spouse and your home should all be influenced by your passions. Choose a career that allows you to express your passions everyday. Choose a spouse that wants to share your passions with you. Create a home environment that allows you to surround yourself with your passions. Everyday you can do little things to express your passions. I like to call these things my, “Daily Delights.” These are the little things everyday that add up to a fulfilled happy life. For instance one of my passions is shopping for, preparing and eating delicious whole real food. I love going to the market, picking out the freshest ingredients and taking my time while preparing a wonderful meal. The best part is sitting down in a relaxed, beautiful atmosphere to slowly chew and taste each bite. With an eleven month old this last part does not happen as much but I still enjoy every moment- even if I’m chewing my food while chasing after Mason.

Take the time to read this book, explore who you truly are and live your passions.

1 comment:

Cindy Mann said...

I LOVED this book! She was so honest and open with her experiences, and it encouraged me look at my life as a journey - seeking out the lessons instead of whining about the outcomes. Good stuff!