So... I've finally gotten around to reading the "YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!" book of the year... Eat, Pray, Love. I'm still in the first section: "Eat"... also could be subtitled "Italy"... I'm going to Italy this coming March, so initially, I was entranced by the food, the locations, the history... but as I end the section, I'm finding myself discontent with the main character... or narrator... or nihilistic woman who made money by travelling for a year, writing a book and selling it to us. I can tell where this is all going: you have to be good to you- know you- cleanse yourself- eat, pray and love with your whole heart... so if I'm right, can I stop reading now? There is no way in the world I am going to travel for a year- and honestly, with the amazing people in my life, I wouldn't want to be away from them for that long. I find myself asking, "why am I spending my time on this? Her life and problems are not mine..." but then, I find moments of clarity- ideas that speak to me on a personal level. First of all, I like the idea of slowing down. I don't want to give up anything I do... but I don't want to do it all at high speed. Possible? I'm not sure- but I'm going to try. My family, my husband, my home, my friends, my job... all need attention, but I don't have to run. So... here is my list:
1. Eat. Yes. I like eating (too much)... but I'm interested in finding a way to eat what I love and to appreciate each bite... I rush through eating at almost every meal... time to slow the frickety-frack down.
2. Pray. Yes. In my own way, I do this all the time. I believe. I believe we all matter- I believe in education- I believe in honesty- I believe we have power within us that hasn't been accessed- I believe we are all so very lucky to be here in the first place... I believe I better slow down.
3. Love. Yes. Yes. Yes. Who and what do you love? I love my husband. I love my kids. I love chai tea. I love Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare. I love the amazing light bulbs that flash on over students' heads when they "get it"... I love life. I love my family... I love the radio station Pandora on the Internet- it introduces me to new music. I love travelling- but only with my people... my family, my students... yeah. Along those lines, I LOVE... and I mean LOVE long car drives with Rob and the girls- the ones where you have to stop at rest areas to pee... where you have to stop at a gas station and you go into the mini-mart to get "road snacks"... we are all trapped together- away from the rest of the world... Yeah, I love that.
Eat. Pray. Love. - Maybe I should have just read the title and called it a day.
Have I ever mentioned that I don't do well not finishing books I've started? It's like a commitment I feel I have made... that I can't get out of.
just. freakin'. do it. :)
ReplyDelete