Mar 21, 2009

eat, pray, love

[Excerpt] by Elizabeth Gilbert

“… I think the reason it’s so hard for me to get over him is because I seriously believed George was my soul mate.”

“He probably was. Your problem is you don’t understand what that word means. 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’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so that you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. And thank God for it. Your problem is you just can’t let this one go. It over, sugar. George’s purpose was to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light could get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you HAD to transform your life. That was his job, and he did great, but now its over. Problem is, you can’t accept that this relationship had a real short shelf life. You’re like a dog at the dump, baby – you’re just lickin’ at an empty tin can trying to get more nutrition out of it. And if you’re not careful, that can’s gonna get stuck on your snout forever and make your life miserable. So drop it.”

“But I love him.”

“So love him.”

“But I miss him.”

“So miss him. You’re just afraid to let go of the last bits of George because then you’ll really be alone, and you’re scared to death of what will happen if you’re really alone.”

“But I just wish me and George could –“

He cuts me off. “See, now that’s your problem. You’re wishin’ too much, baby. You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughtta be.”

This line gives me the first laugh of the day.

3 comments:

  1. Oh Jessica - I can totally relate to this excerpt! Thanks...

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  2. Is it unchangeable, rock steady truth that every soulmate must come and go? In that intercourse of minds and hearts where one is laid bare, does it not take for them to uncover themselves so that their light can shine on our darkness?

    As they see us struggle to come to terms with our realities, as they midwife us through our labour pains do they stay the same?

    In the end, are two different people from those at the beginning. So different that they must just make the bond work or not. It depends on who the people are, what they are willing to give up and embrace and how they dance together....
    We need soulmates indeed. Those who come and go and those who come and stay......

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