Eat, Pray, Read

Most likely you have heard of this book by Elizabeth Gilbert, and if you haven't then you probably live in a remote village similar to the one she lived in on the island of Bali. 

I have always had this urge to go against the norm and to shun what is popular and this book is huge right now.  But as much as I hate being part of the trend I cannot deny the fact that I adore this book. 

It is the most beneficial self-help book I have ever read, so honest and relatable.  The best part is that it is not even really meant to be a self-help book, but it most definitely is for me.

I am in the middle of the Love section and it is just as great as the two preceding parts.  I loved the Eat part of course, what's not to love? Dark, handsome men, pizza, pasta, Italy.  Perfection.  I have to admit that I was not really looking forward to the Pray section of the book mostly because I thought it would be really heavy, but wow...it has really changed me.  Gilbert does an amazing job at explaining her experience at the ashram in India and admitting her challenges.  This section of the book offered so many morsels of wisdom and joy and has really piqued my interest in meditation and the Hindu religion. 

There are many inspiring quotes in the book but one of my favorite parts is a little mantra that she shares with us and says that she says it to herself at least 70 times a day: I will not harbor these unhealthy thoughts anymore. This phrase might just change my life. I have said it to myself over and over since first reading it last week.  I say it when I am dwelling on negative experiences, obsessing over poisonous people, worrying about the future, and overall just feeling sorry for myself.  Once I say it, the thought is gone and I focus my energy on to more positive forces in my life.  I made a commitment to myself to get rid of all poisonous relationships that I was holding on to and vowed that only positive people who respect me will make it into my life from now on. 

Now if only World Market would stop selling an Eat, Pray, Love bucket hat like the one worn by Julia Roberts in the movie, then I could be proud of this little gem instead of ashamed by the trend of it all.