“Oh my gosh!” my colleague exclaimed. “You SO have to read this!!!”
Her excitement was akin to discovering the true meaning of life.
All in one sweet novel.
Unlike countless others, it didn’t rock my world.
Eat Pray Love’s premise of “Woman losing herself then finding herself then (surprise, surprise) falling in love” was too clichéd.
Even, dare I say, selfish? Self-absorbed?
In Ubud, locals would tell me – thanks to Gilbert – Ketut Liyar, the mystical black magic man who predicted the“Love” in the novel – had turned into an overnight rockstar.
Thanks to Gilbert girl fans, his fortune telling sessions were suddenly booked out years ahead.
Years.
All hoping for a similar sexy Javier Bardem soul mate ending, no less.
I’m not sure what convinced me to attend her talk, “How to be creative” at the Opera House for the annual All About Women event.
Maybe I was lured by Alison from Talking Frankly’s charming powers. Or her enticing invitation to get tanked afterwards.
Anyway, despite what I thought of her book, when Gilbert took to the stage, barefoot, no less, this time I sat up and listened.
She spoke about fear. A lot.
The biggest hindrance of every person’s creativity.
We’re scared our work will be rejected.
Worried it isn’t perfect.
Upset that no one thinks it’s important enough.
Too frightened to try something new or challenging.
But we also give fear too much worth; holding it as precious and fragile.
We give more respect to fear than ourselves.
So we don’t achieve anything.
In whatever creative journey we take, fear will always claim its existence.
Like all crazy rides, we need to accommodate everyone on board.
We take note that it’s there, it’s trying to shake us up a little but we just don’t need let it get to the front seat.
As Gilbert says, “It can have a voice, but it doesn’t get a vote”
It was only fitting that Gilbert’s talk landed on International Women’s Day.
While there were poignant reminders of what’s holding me back, it clarified where my potential lies.
And yes, at the end of it all, there was wine.
Do you give fear the front seat? When did you last tell it to back off? Eat, Pray, Love – yay or nay?
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Great post Grace.
Eat, Pray, Love. Never read it. There was just too much hype over it so I never felt inclined (even though I’m actually a bit of a “spiritual” person in some respects …) I tend not to get on board band-wagons.
Great quote about the wishbone and backbone.
Great quote about getting tanked too …
Happy Friday!
L
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1983 – The Cheer Chicks
I’m a big fan of Elizabeth Gilbert’s so reading this I was wishing I could have tagged along. I don’t think Eat Pray Love is her best book at all so I get where you’re coming from. That wishbone/backbone quote – love it. Hope you got tanked after 🙂
Denise recently posted..How to make work ‘easy’
I loved the book and the movie. I made hubster come with me to the movies to watch the film and he was less than impressed but I was all over it! Old mate Liz, she knows what’s what, doesn’t she? That quote is a spot on. I’m getting better at facing off my fears – it’s very empowering. I’m pleased there was wine too, I love a happy ending!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..She’s So Inspiring – Jenny Eyles
How great is that quote!!
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..Cirque Du Soleil Totem Review Plus an Exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour in Melbourne…
I did not enjoy Eat, Pray, Love. Not my thing. But I agree- it’s always fear that holds us back in one way or another.
Amy @ handbagmafia recently posted..50 Shades of Grey – The Movie Review
Have not read the book, but I sure understand fear and self doubt, constantly have to squash it down. x N
Nikki@WonderfullyWomen recently posted..How To Make Perfect Pikelets
I haven’t read it (or seen the movie) but Art Spiegelman inspired me to ask “Why not me?” and I just read “Ambition is believing in yourself when no one else does”….they’re good enough for me…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..If I could be anyone for the day….
That’s a fan quote! I’ll be using that one. I’ve never read the book. I kind of knew what I’d think of it. But her talk about fear sounds really good. I think I have that fear A LOT. Good reminder to tell it to shut up now and then.
That’s a fab quote! I’ll be using that one. I’ve never read the book. I kind of knew what I’d think of it. But her talk about fear sounds really good. I think I have that fear A LOT. Good reminder to tell it to shut up now and then.
Lauren @ the tHud recently posted..Scratch on knee probably deadly
I was like you with the book, but I still went on to see the movie. I like the first part of it but by the time she got to Bali I was a bit over her self-indulgence. But I do think she has some wisdom to offer. Hope it was a great girl’s day/night and you felt OK the next morning!
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I haven’t read the book or seen the movie (it’s not my bag really) but a lot of what Gilbert said in the talk has the ring of truth. Glad you got something out of it (as well as a good night out with a good friend!)
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..5 Ways to avoid dinner duty (with a bonus 6th tip & giveaway!)
That wishbone/backbone quote is FABULOUS. I haven’t read it either, but I’d love to see Gilbert speak. I think it was Kelly Exeter who saw her recently and said it was amazing too.
I absolutely give fear the front seat from time to time. Luckily, I suck it up for the important money-earning stuff. Got to start sucking it up for the dream-making kind of stuff too. Hold me!
Emily recently posted..I Got This Hat – Jol and Kate Temple and Jon Foye (book review)
I watched the movie but haven’t read the book. I probably would have liked it and I definitely wish I’d written it! You get to do so many interesting things living in Sydney Grace. Sigh. Loved the photo at the end x
Pinky Poinker recently posted..Twenty-Three Things I Wish My Mum Told Me
I HATED the book. It was self indulgent and just not real for me. Perhaps I was jealous that she just got to go off and explore herself because I’m not sure if or when that will ever happen for me! LOL.
But my admission today is that fear is usually driving my life car. Ironically it is this journey of raising this baby blog and meeting new people from the online blogging community that has fear sitting in the back seat some times. Just gotta put my foot down and make sure it doesn’t become a back seat driver! Insightful words Grace and something that has really resonated with me. Happy Friday. Mel xx
Melanie Greenhalgh recently posted..Book Review – Useful by Debra Oswald
I thought I was the only one who didn’t really love Eat Pray Love!!!! It was ok but a bit meh…. !!! Oooh I’ll have to check Elizabeth out – I havent heard of her before!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..Fabulous Foodie Fridays #42
While the book was inspiring, in many ways it felt a bit unachievable for every woman. So many of us won’t have the luxury of taking off overseas to find ourselves. We must do it at home. I do love that she talked about fear. It’s so debilitating. That must have really powerful and encouraging to hear.
Peachy Keen Mumma – Jess recently posted..Lactation Cookies – Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
Urgh. I saw that movie in a mums’n’bubs session a week after my Gran died. I took my Dad with me. We got trapped in the middle of the cinema by a thousand prams in the aisle and up the back. He was trying to get out to answer a phone call from the funeral home, I desperately wanted to leave because my baby wouldn’t settle and I hated the movie but we quite literally COULDN’T GET OUT! Talk about fear:-) So I guess I’m ‘nay’ on the book without ever having read it!
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side recently posted..The day One Direction destroyed my phone
Thanks for this, Grace, it is a dose of exactly what I need this morning. She sounds pretty inspiring, though I have not read the book or even seen the movie. Powerful words she spoke there, I appreciate you sharing. I wonder what else she has done besides the whote eat pray love? I’ll go a googling now x
Dani @ sand has no home recently posted..Wuthering Heights
Yep and yep! Fan of the book and the movie and am so jealous that you went to her talk! I would love to have heard this speech! Great post and so true!
Zita recently posted..for the final stretch
I avoided the book like the plague – mainly because I feared it was self indulgent midlife crisis chick-lit! However I wish I’d been able to hear this talk because she is right about so many things. Creativity and fear DO go hand in hand – the things we create are precious to us and we fear that other’s might not see their worth, The part that resonated for me was acknowledging that fear will have a voice – but not let it have a vote. Glad you had a great time (and with Al on the piss afterwards 😉 )
rachel_ourtownbrisbane recently posted..Brisbane’s Best Jobs: Videogame Bar Owner
I did look at her book(s) but she’s not got me as a fan of her novels because …I am of a different demographic and her books appeal to others, maybe. HOWEVER, I get the ‘fear’ thing and right now doing some personal stuff to reduce that in myself and methinks I might blog more about it! Glad her insights and being out with a friend were antidotes for you last weekend! Denyse x
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Seasons in Life.70/365.
I didn’t think much of Eat Pray Love but my mum went to that IWD event too & has been raving about Elizabeth Gilbert ever since!
Love the idea of giving fear a voice but not a vote.
Mumma McD recently posted..Threats, lies and bribery: parenting a threenager
Eat, Pray, Love… too good to be true. Then again, miracles happen, ya? 🙂
Love that powerful quote! Sometimes i really should care less what others think, and just go ahead and follow my heart.
Ai Sakura recently posted..What’s a Full-Time Working Mum {FTWM} worth?
I’ve never read EPL, but this post is just what I needed to read x
Alicia O’Brien recently posted..Apple puff dumplings in cinnamon syrup
I heard a very interesting radio interview on ABC with her, it went for about 45 minutes and she blew my mind. That women has seen some stuff, her time in Russia is enough to blow me away!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..A potato punch for parents!
Loved Eat Pray Love and Committed. Couldn’t read them though, so listened to the audiobooks while doing the washing up and hanging out the clothes.
Glad you had fun – I’d have loved to join you two for a drink or seven! xx
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..salmon rissoles: the good, the yum & the ugly
I also felt Eat, Love, Pray was too cliched, the woman behind the book on the other hand sounds intriguing and I would have loved to have attended her talk.
Fear wise, I always used fear to my advantage. I think that only changed since I’ve had children.
Raych aka Mystery Case recently posted..The Perfect LBD 52 Ways | Statement Style
I haven’t read the book or seen the movie. But I do like that wishbone/backbone quote. And anything followed by wine is good in my book!
Fairlie recently posted..Coffee, bread and cake…Vietnam-style
I love Elizabeth and follow her online. I subscribed for her new book and have heard her on TED talks.
natalie @ Our Parallel Connection recently posted..Freaky Friday – teenager & mother
My favourite part of the book was when she was eating her way through Italy! I really want to do that. I wish I could’ve joined you lovely ladies xxx
Although I am a *huge* reader, I just couldn’t get into “Eat Pray Love”. But despite this, it sounds like she would be an interesting speaker to hear.
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama recently posted..Shelf Style: Kirsten from Kirsten and Co
I think that quote will be my new mantra, Grace! And wine to top it off, woohoo! xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..Be Brave
I was one of those who loved the book and the movies!! I’m a dreamer that’s for sure. I wish I’d known she was in Sydney, I would have loved to have listen to her talk – and drink wine with you two of course :))
Robyn recently posted..Anxiety in kids
I love that wishbone/backbone quote – so very true! I haven’t read Eat Pray Love, but often thought I should. Sounds like the talk was great!
Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum recently posted..Getting ready for baby: Your hospital bag checklist
Fear does stop me from doing a lot and does cause me to question my writing all the time! I love the wishbone quote.
I’ve never read or watched Eat Pray Love, it all seems a bit too cliché to me too.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..10 non chocolate (and dairy free) easter gift ideas for kids
I haven’t read Eat Pray Love but I agree with Elizabeth Gilbert that all too often fear is one of the greatest hindrances to our creativity. I love her wishbone/backbone quote. I would have loved to have heard her speak.
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life recently posted..Fabulous Fashion Finds: Leopard Print
I didn’t end up finishing the book. I couldn’t stand it but after reading your post I could definitely enjoy a speaker speaking words of truth. And yay for hanging out with Alison. She’s a gorgeous soul! X
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..Three essential power tools all plumbers need
I have read both books and watched the movie. I actually enjoy her “speaker & creative” hat instead of her Eat, pray. love book. I hear Signature of All things and her new book are totally different to Eat, Pray, Love. xx
Lisa recently posted..Sisterhood Stories: Part One
I didn’t read Eat, Pray, Love but I did read the sequel Committed – where she was struggling with having to marry her new Brazilian love so that he could live in the USA. Much of it resonated with me greatly because I had only just gotten married myself. I recently I heard her interviewed by Richard Fidler and she was brilliant. (Mind you Richard makes most of his guests sound brilliant)
Mumabulous recently posted..Jobs for Cougars
Great post Grace, I must say I haven’t read Eat Pray Love, I’ve heard mixed reviews about it. I do like Elizabeth Gilbert though and often read her blog.
Mandy Barbie Bieber Beyond recently posted..Before I Was A Mum #stumbleintotheweekend
She sounds amazing, I would loved to have been in her audience. I am always amazed how much we let fear get in our way of striving for things. Only we dress it up as other things like ‘practicality’ and ‘better safe than sorry’.
Laney@thelaneyfiles recently posted..8 lessons my threenager can teach me about life
Love the backbone quote.
I haven’t read the book but enjoyed the movie (call me lazy).
I try not to let fear take over too often but it can be a hard one to handle sometimes.
Dannielle@Zamamabakes recently posted..Fabulous Foodie Fridays #42
I love that quote. I must admit, fear has been holding me back lately.. I hate it..
I haven’t read EPL… but the author sounds like a cool chick 🙂
Kaz @ Melting Moments recently posted..WWU – Pre-Loved Treasures
I did read “Eat, Pray, Love” many years before the movie was made, back when Elizabeth Gilbert was just new on “Oprah” and it really resonated with me due to what I was going through at the time. I was disappointed with the movie and the hype that went along with it but I still find her very inspirational. Thanks for the party Grace.
Anne xx
anne @ domesblissity recently posted..Cleaning your home, the old fashioned way
I think it’s great that you got to attend All About Women this year…I left it too late and was bummed that I missed out. Wasn’t an Eat, Pray, Love kinda girl and I think that’s probably one of the reasons I ummed and aahed about going this time. But it sounds like it was great.
As for fear around creativity — always! I am trying a bit more with the creative writing course at uni where we have no choice but to share our work with fellow students and have it workshopped. But it’s scary every single time,.
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life recently posted..Feminism Friday: The first edition #FeminismFriday
I give fear, particularly the fear of failure, way too much time. As I get older however I am finding myself not worrying as much about having everything perfect. Easier said than done! The talk sounds great and more up my alley than Eat Pray Love was! Glad that the night ended with wine (always a sign of a good night).
Tash @ Gift Grapevine recently posted..Baby and kids gift idea picks – March 2015
I was one of those people that loved the book, it sounds like an inspiring night, perfectly finished with wine! Super important in my opinion. lol!
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