HOW “EAT PRAY LOVE” INFLUENCED MY LIFE?

“I was a writer before ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ and I’ll be a writer after it’s over. It’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.” Elizabeth Gilbert

Here she was Elizabeth Gilbert representing herself with her painted honesty. As untold numbers of women and men around the world turned the pages of her life. The book reveled the painful, delicious, soul awakening, joyous experiences of her life’s journey.

Was it the moment she curled up on the bathroom floor that I was aware I had known what she had known? I embraced the same moments coiled in the corner of the room wanting to escape what my life had become.

 Ms. Gilbert’s book inspired millions as she found herself starting over and living life in her skin as she knew it to be.

I decided to be brave, to be vulnerable, to expose myself and my journey searching for love. Ultimately finding my true self in the process.

Along came writing coach Karen Dickinson, we took off on our own excursion of creating a book to share with the world.

I wanted to have a voice as raw and real as Gilberts. I wanted to be a brave writing warrior kicking ass with words. As each word fell onto the pages, my exposed life was in front of me, and to all who read it.

Did “Eat, Pray, Love” inspire me? Hell yes!!!!! The question is, did it inspire you? Did you go to Italy to learn the language and eat yourself out of your favorite jeans? As I found Gilberts voice I found my own. I wrote, then wrote more, after that I kept writing. For five years I kept writing.

I fiercely and boldly allowed my life to be open to possibilities. Nothing was out of reach. It was acceptable to have painful learning moments. Questioning why I had always limited myself?

 The heart of “Eat, Pray, Love” would not tolerate any doubt!

I channeled Elizabeth and found my new normal. My road differed then Gilbert’s discovering her authentic self, but it was the same. I had a real self to be birthed, I had a new normal to find.

Gilbert’s“Eat, Pray, Love” became my “A Man for Every Purpose, My Naked Journey Searching for Love”. A tale told by myself, shaped by Karen, and influenced by Elizabeth.

Having inspirational influencers is beautiful. We can all embrace one another’s stories, as my voice, my journey is like many others looking for love. Winning and losing, dating in the modern world, can be chalked full of worthy lessons.

 A personal thank you note to Liz Gilbert who continues to fully live her true self, we are paying attention!

My Mantra: “Wishing an authentic life for those brave enough to try, fail, and keep trying.”