Time in Guate: 3 months, 1 week
On Friday I went to see Comer, Rezar, Amar (Eat, Pray, Love) with my friend Nidia. Saturday, for the first time in my life, I watched the same movie again. About 10 months ago my sister sent me a text and told me I needed to read the book and said it reminded her so much of me. I had no idea how true this would be.
Anyone who wants to understand who I am and what I've experienced in the last 3 years needs to see/read this story. Since moving to Guate I have struggled to keep myself from being completely bogged down and/or distracted by the minutia of moving to a new country. I've frequently forgotten my direction, my goals, my self affirmations. Watching this movie helped me remember what I've done, how hard I've fought to get where I am today. And even though some days I feel isolated or discouraged, I am happy where I am.
Watching this movie helped me see my own experiences and choices from a third person perspective. Observing the interactions between Liz and her family & friends, especially their disapproval was enlightening. Additionally, I read some reviews of the book and movie today and have seen quite a few negative comments. People say Liz is self-centered, "she takes herself too seriously," her book mocks religion, is full of "agonizing introspection," and even "I have a hard time following the story of her world travels because I'm too busy wanting it to be my own."
The reviews were very enlightening for me as I thought of the people in my own world, family & friends condemning my choices or excusing them as part of "a phase." It's been difficult for me to see things from another perspective because I am so closely and tenderly connected to my own. But reading the reviews I was able to see that sometimes, the opinions of others are simply that. Not necessarily objective or even useful. Sometimes its just fear, envy, or a very simple inability to relate. I am no longer going to feel the need to apologize for the path I have chosen for my life. I will try to shed myself of the need for approval of my life decisions. In the meantime, I will do my best to love and accept those in my life with whose decisions and lifestyles I do not agree. Diversity is a gift. And happiness is a choice.
“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.”
-Eat, Pray, Love (the book)
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