I absolutely adored this book. It had me hooked from the beginning. Even with a few bits that threatened to loose me, I felt overwhelming at home with this book. It could have been that I simply related to Gilbert. And the times I didn’t she made me laugh out loud.
To the questions:
What is the word that defines your city? workplace? home? yourself? Why?
History defines me and my city. I live very close to Boston. And I identify very much to the city. It is the beginning of the Revolutionary War. It has the cobble stones and old building mixed in with the new and modern. It attempts to be contemporary while maintaining its past.
Which of the three sections of the book -- Eat (Italy), Pray (India) or Love (Indonesia) -- could you most relate to & why?
At this point, I don’t think that it is a secret that I’ve been searching for gratification. And I love to eat. So, Italy was the section which I most identified with, also the place I long to visit. The descriptions of the food had my mouth watering.
Taking this question one step further, ironically the section in India I related to the least. But, it is because I love yoga, but I don’t use it to pray. I don’t relate the two. And the section that almost lost me was this section. There were descriptions of transcendence and spiritual connections – which out of my realm of comprehension.
In chapter 25, on page 75, Elizabeth Gilbert talks about how "the Augusteum in Rome warns (us) not to get attached to any obsolete ideas of who (we are), what (we) represent, whom (we) belong to or what function (we) may once have intended to serve." Through our struggles with infertility and/or loss many of us have had to revisit our ideas about what our life would be like and who we thought we were supposed to be. How have your ideas about your identity and purpose in life changed since your began your journey to have a child(ren)? Have you been able to make peace with your new found identity and/or purpose if it doesn't embody the dream you originally had for yourself at this point in your life as an adult and/or parent?
Since deciding not pursuing treatments or adoption, I’ve been struggling with my new definition, identity, wants out of life. The passage spoke volumes to me. It shows with a place how I feel in many ways. The passage of infertility made me feel that my body was aging and decaying. With the passage of time, I feel better in my own skin, that the age and decay, may just be another element to my history. To where I have been.
Personally, at this point, I feel that I am beginning to undergo renovation. As I am taking more interest in the corners of my existence – nurturing other parts of me.
To the questions:
What is the word that defines your city? workplace? home? yourself? Why?
History defines me and my city. I live very close to Boston. And I identify very much to the city. It is the beginning of the Revolutionary War. It has the cobble stones and old building mixed in with the new and modern. It attempts to be contemporary while maintaining its past.
Which of the three sections of the book -- Eat (Italy), Pray (India) or Love (Indonesia) -- could you most relate to & why?
At this point, I don’t think that it is a secret that I’ve been searching for gratification. And I love to eat. So, Italy was the section which I most identified with, also the place I long to visit. The descriptions of the food had my mouth watering.
Taking this question one step further, ironically the section in India I related to the least. But, it is because I love yoga, but I don’t use it to pray. I don’t relate the two. And the section that almost lost me was this section. There were descriptions of transcendence and spiritual connections – which out of my realm of comprehension.
In chapter 25, on page 75, Elizabeth Gilbert talks about how "the Augusteum in Rome warns (us) not to get attached to any obsolete ideas of who (we are), what (we) represent, whom (we) belong to or what function (we) may once have intended to serve." Through our struggles with infertility and/or loss many of us have had to revisit our ideas about what our life would be like and who we thought we were supposed to be. How have your ideas about your identity and purpose in life changed since your began your journey to have a child(ren)? Have you been able to make peace with your new found identity and/or purpose if it doesn't embody the dream you originally had for yourself at this point in your life as an adult and/or parent?
Since deciding not pursuing treatments or adoption, I’ve been struggling with my new definition, identity, wants out of life. The passage spoke volumes to me. It shows with a place how I feel in many ways. The passage of infertility made me feel that my body was aging and decaying. With the passage of time, I feel better in my own skin, that the age and decay, may just be another element to my history. To where I have been.
Personally, at this point, I feel that I am beginning to undergo renovation. As I am taking more interest in the corners of my existence – nurturing other parts of me.
As you can tell, I adored this book. So if you don't believe me, hop along to another stop on this blog tour by visiting the main list at Stirrup Queens.
11 comments:
Hey Dianne,
Great to have met you today.
I've heard good things about this book but have yet to get it; I think your post inspired me to get a copy tomorrow!
I've had a hard time getting motivated to read since reading "The Kite Runner". That book was so well written, I've yet to hold interest in anything since.
Hey Dianne- I'm so glad to hear you love this book. My best friend from high school gave it too me for Christmas and I'm JUST getting around to reading it. I picked it up on Friday and I'm loving it already. Wish I hadn't missed out on the Barren Bitches Book Brigade though!
I agree with you about the transcendance and spirital connections being hard to relate to sometimes.
I also identified most with Italy. In my daily life I don't love to eat, but I sure do when I'm in Italy!!
The section about India made me think hard about how and why I pray. I can't say I clearly identify with it but it did teach me a lot.
I too identified with the Italy portion of the book the most.
(Perhaps because I'm married to an Italian!!) Unlike some of my colleagues, I've never had this burning desire to visit Asia, but there was some interesting stuff in those other two parts too.
I also identified hugely with the passage about the Augusteum -- I flagged it while reading the book, & I totally agree with your personal interpretation!
hi,
thanks for the review, I have been "refusing" to read this book buy after reading what you had to say I just might give it a try.
I am glad you found some answers and some questions in it.
here's a toast to your renovation. :)
*hug*
Love the review.
This book has been sitting on the floor next to my nightstand for over two months now. I think I just got a renewed motivation to finally read it.
I liked what you said about "With the passage of time, I feel better in my own skin, that the age and decay, may just be another element to my history. To where I have been."
My fertility struggles and recurrent miscarriages made me feel 100 years old at times.
While I didn't love the book - there were bits and pieces that resonated along the way. I was in the group that didn't get the "word" question though. I have been trying to come up with a word and it is harder than I would think it would be!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Sounds fabulous and enlightening.
"Personally, at this point, I feel that I am beginning to undergo renovation. As I am taking more interest in the corners of my existence – nurturing other parts of me."
Wow. That's a very powerful and uplifting statement.
You go, girl!
Oh shoot. Lori got there first. I also cut and paste this line: "I feel that I am beginning to undergo renovation..." and thought, you GO girl!
As for your identity with Boston, I can completely appreciate that. My guy was born there and has always held a special place in his heart for it.
Thanks, too, for your comments on my post. I'll be dropping by at some point in the future...until then wishing you much happiness!
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