I haven't been digesting my regular amount of books lately, not all that much has jumped off the self until I picked up this little baby... eat... pray... love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
This book is one of my new and few forever favorites one where pages were read and re-read, and favorite pages folded over and underlined through out. The by-line on the book reads one woman's search for everything across Italy, India and Indonesia... and if your one of those who can't take a year to search for your everything I think this book does a good job of letting you vicariously take this journey with her. Her feelings and emotions touched me deeply and her sense of humor brought smiles and maybe even a few out loud giggles.
As she shares her journey over this year long journey, a year of pleasure... devotion and balance you can feel her personal shifts and not just from one country to another. While in India the path of this book and her life changes... and what a gift to me as a reader to be able to experience this through her. So many times I've read of others AHA moments and know that it is hard to find the words, Elizabeth Gilbert has found a way to share her experience in words that share with everyone because it is so descriptive and authentic.
I think early in the book she mentions hope, wanting to feel hopeful again and in the end when she looks back and you look back with her and feel not only hopeful but that something magical has transpired and transformed her.
One of my favorite excerpts...(there are many especially a great little zen moment in the end, but I'll save that for you)
You abandon your comforting and familiar habits with the hope (the mere hope!) that something greater will be offered you in return for what you've given up....
Devotion is diligence without assurance... Faith is a way of saying "Yes I pre-accept the terms of the universe and I presently embrace in advance what I am presently incapable of understanding." Faith is belief in what you cannot see or prove or touch. Faith is walking face first and full speed into the dark. If we truly knew all the answers in advance as to the meaning of life and the nature of God and the destiny of our souls, our belief would not be a leap of faith and it would not be a courageous act of humanity; it would just be... a prudent insurance policy.
Each page is another step full speed into the dark and just like in life it is exciting, charming and keeps you turning the pages. If you get a chance enjoy... I recommend it whole heartedly ;0).
Wendi
