Imagine leaving everything you have ever known behind to travel around the world. You leave your money, home, friends and husband without a second glance. At first one might think this would be the perfect scenario. Looking from the outside in, it seems like the chance of a lifetime. Yet, from the inside out, it takes a lot of courage. The movie "Eat Pray Love" inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir, takes its audience on a remarkable and inspiring journey. In 2010, famous actress Julia Roberts brings the realness of Elizabeth Gilbert’s story as one witnesses her road to self-discovery.
“Hadn’t I wanted this? I had actively participated in every moment of the creation of this life. So why didn’t I see myself in any of it? The only thing more impossible than staying…was leaving. I didn’t want to hurt anybody, I wanted to slip quietly out the back door and not stop running until I reached Greenland.”
Gilbert’s year of traveling abroad was sparked after she divorced her stagnant, incompatible husband. Like many young women, Gilbert felt as though her life lost meaning. She no longer could recognize her unique qualities and hopefulness for the future. Gilbert had always dreamed about traveling the world. Therefore after her divorce she decided it was time to set out on a yearlong trip to Italy, India, and Bali.
“Maybe my life hasn’t been so chaotic. It’s just the world that is and the only real trap is getting attached to any of it. Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation.”
Gilbert quickly dives into the goodness Italy has to offer. She engages in delicious food with the help of new friends. During the first part of her journey, Gilbert finds the joy that comes from “simply doing nothing” and having a muffin top if it means that she gets to indulge in food.
“So, miss me. Send me love and light every time you think of me… Then drop it. It won’t last forever. Nothing does.”
After four months, Gilbert sets off to India. During her time spent here she works on deep prayer and meditation with a well-known guru. Throughout Gilbert’s journey she struggles to forgive herself for the person she has become and the messy divorce she has went through. The unique, complex individuals in India remind Gilbert to give herself the chance to forgive and once love again.
The last destination of Gilbert’s voyage is Bali, Indonesia. In this extraordinary city Gilbert is offered the opportunity to find and seek love within herself and others.
“When I was in Italy I learned a new word- its “tutti” with double T, which in Italian means “everybody”. So that’s the lesson, isn’t it? When you set out in the world to help yourself, sometimes you end up helping Tutti.”
Although I just described the setting and simplistic plot line of "Eat Pray Love" the actual story and meaning told through the movie is indescribable. One must watch the movie to understand its full effect.
"Eat Pray Love" never gets old as it tells a story that any average human being could relate to. Gilbert is a strong, empowering woman who has the strength and courage to recreate everything that matters to her. Gilbert proves to her audience the joy and satisfaction that comes with simply being happy with yourself. Though I have not personally met Elizabeth Gilbert I have been inspired by her language, bravery, and charisma. Gilbert dares her audience to do something they have always feared. She encourages her audience to step outside their comfort zones so their dreams can become reality. Elizabeth Gilbert shares her vulnerable journey to encourage others to believe in their own.
“The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you’re brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting…and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you.”
