Life lessons in a paperback

09 June 2010

"The Bhagavad Gita - that ancient Indian Yogic text - says that it is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection. So now I have started living my own life. Imperfect and clumsy as it may look, it is resembling me now, thoroughly." - Liz Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)
I write my favorite lines from the book in my krissyfied personalized notebook

I am halfway through reading Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love and I swear, this book has made a big impact on my life. It couldn't have come at a better time, too, as I started reading it when I was going through a very dark period in my life. It tells about Ms. Gilbert's travels to Italy, India and Indonesia as she seeks answers and attempts to find out more about herself. Simply put, it's a memoir about God and faith without being preachy, the human pursuit of pleasure, and finding the balance between the two. Reading it has been both an emotional and spiritual journey for me, to think that I am not yet even finished with the book. I can usually finish a book in less than a week, but this one, I am prolonging it as much as I can as I let myself be swept away in this personal journey. It is such a positive reinforcement. Please don't think I am exaggerating when I say the book has helped heal me. 
"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." - Richard from Texas (Eat, Pray, Love)
"If you clear out all that space in your mind that you're using right now to obsess about this guy, you'll have a vacuum there, an open spot - a doorway. And guess what the universe will do with that doorway? It will rush in - God will rush in - and fill you with more love than you ever dreamed. - Richard from Texas (Eat, Pray, Love)
I read these lines, and my heart when pssssssh. All the hurt and resentment I've been feeling over my heartbreak seemed to dissolve, just like that. I hope Misses Pain, Depression and Loneliness won't go knocking on my door anytime soon.

The book has been made into a movie featuring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem and will be released on August this year. I've seen the trailer for more than 10 times but I still get goosebumps every single time. I first saw it when we watched Sex and the City 2, and I swear I teared up at the movie theater. The book has affected me that much.
"You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight." - Liz Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)
Have you read this book already? If not, I highly recommend that you do so. :)

15 comments

  1. it's THE book sis :) i cant wait for the film too. eat pray love makes me want to have my own personal journey too.. =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Let's watch this together, sis! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. i like copying quotes i like from books too =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. cuute. I don't believe in soul mates, I think there's just people that are good for you for now and hope that they grow with you as you grow older I think. Because the concept of that 1 person being your soulmate and say they got married to someone else or died of an accident before you meet them is just too depressing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ooo see, I didn't want to read this because a bunch of people said it was just a rich lady being selfish and traveling the world but I really enjoy those quotes and that's awesome that a novel has been able to affect you in such a meaningful way :) Miss you, I'm going to catch up on your other posts now!

    ReplyDelete
  6. bhagavad gita is so full of wisdom. i grew up reading it in hindi class when i was a kid haha

    i;ll pick up eat pray love on your recommendation :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I feel like I'm sinning if I DON'T read this book... :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's pretty amazing when just what we need comes alnog at just the right time-you were meant to read that book now.

    That Richard fellow is pretty sharp! =)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, it's that good huh? I need to pick up a copy, everyone seems to love it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. hey krissy!

    thanks for sharing! i'll definitely be adding this to my uber long must-reads!

    have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ok, I definitely need to grab my copy. =)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love to read this book... I was taken by your review. I will go to the bookstore today and grab me a copy. And I love your personalized notebook... I too write down quotes and lines from the books I've read. Hope you're having a good day Krissy! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  13. i've been hearing lots about this book and heard about the movie too but didn't really know what it's about! i'll definitely consider reading the book.... if not, then definitely watch the movie. i'm so glad that this has been a help to you.. help to heal, help to grow, ...eat, pray, and love. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is a wonderful and very insightful book. I'm very much looking forward to the movie.
    I'm not sure about watching Sex and the city 2...I thought the first one wasn't all that great. I enjoyed the series the best.
    Thanks for stopping by my FB page :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have read and understood many lessons from it, too. Just need to apply them, now. I love your "krissyfied" journal!

    ReplyDelete

Comments brighten up my day! Thank you for leaving kind words!