Elizabeth Gilbert closed the door on her real life and set out on a yearlong journey to exotic places to find herself. Although most of us don’t have the luxury to do that — which has been the source of some criticism of her book — she did. And so she went for it. I say, “Bravo! Way to go, Liz!” But even if we can’t set out for parts unknown, the title of the book itself is great food for thought. Just three little words with a great big punch suggest that life is not one dimensional. Eat Pray Love calls for us to live life in 3D.
Eat (Inward)
Eating is something we do for ourselves. No one can do it for us, and it is the call to take care of our inward dimension.
At first blush, the word “eat” makes most of us think of food, a meal, something we put into our mouths and chew. Even when we are talking about food, to eat means something much more. To eat is to nourish ourselves. It is to nosh on that which fills up our hearts, and dine on the delights that give us life. Our bodies need nutritious foods. Our brains must devour new information and chew on stimulating ideas. Our hearts are hungry for love and connection. Our souls are thirsty for meaning. As women, we tend to feed– in every sense of the word – others first, more often and, sometimes, at our own expense, until one day we find that we are starving. And we have no idea what we are hungry for. We have lost our appetite and don’t know where to find it.
When we remember to eat, to fill up with all that we need to be whole, we are better. Better moms, better wives and partners, better lovers, better friends, better professionals, and, ultimately, better selves.
Pray (Upward)
While prayer is often connected to religion, one doesn’t have to be religious or spiritual to pray.
To pray means to offer up, ask for help, give thanks. Prayer suggests that we know we are part of something bigger than ourselves and, as such, have a role to play in the world around us. When we offer up words of gratitude, the world becomes a more gracious and gentle place. As we ask for help, light is shed on our path. In seeking to understand our own purpose, we are able to find a way to touch the world that is within our grasp. By offering up our gifts and talents to the world, we affect people’s lives and miracles occur.
Love (Outward)
When it comes to life — when we boil it all down – what matters more than anything, the bedrock of all bedrocks is love.
To love is to care deeply for. Perhaps the best question we can ask at any time, in any situation is “What would love do?” Whether we are considering a person or the planet, our money or our time, a conflict or a crisis, a stranger or a beloved friend, we can’t go wrong with love. Which doesn’t mean that love is always warm and soft. Sometimes love is hard and cold, like when we have to tell a painful truth or stand up to a bully. There are times when real love directs away from rather than closer to. But no matter what love calls us to do, if we choose love, everybody wins.
So, when it seems that life is too complicated, remember that all you really have to do is … Eat. Pray. Love.
The eSSSence of Molly Davis
Style: I adore my family, worn blue jeans and cowboy boots.
Substance: I am a highly successful corporate trainer.
Soul: As a gifted teacher, I combine practical strategies and real life stories with humor and heart.
