This is not a review.
I read Eat, Pray, Love this summer. While it will not ever make my favorites list, I did love the writing style. Elizabeth Gilbert's gift for the written word made me pause and reread, just to savor the language. The description of her bathing in the Italian language of a coarse soccer fan forced me to stop and read aloud to Brad as we drove to Utah. And her personification of Depression and Loneliness as two gangsters was unforgettable--"[Loneliness is] going to make me sleep with him again tonight." I didn't particularly agree with her on her "journey," but that is not what this post is about.
Liz's friend Luca Spaghetti articulates the idea that everywhere and everyone can be encapsulated by just one word: Rome's word is sex, New York City's is achieve. Elizabeth's personal word is antevasin, a Sanskrit word that means between, which she defines as ever on the border, not completely any one thing, yin and yang.
I thought about it--What would my word be? Not how does the world see me, but how do I define myself? I pondered for days before I found the word. The perfect word. One that encapsulates my flaws and and my strengths, one that says who I am.
I would LOVE to hear your personal word. So here's the challenge:
On Tuesday, I will post my personal word and how it fits me--positive and negative. And I hope you will take the time, between now and then, to think and discover your own word and blog about it. For some of you, that word may come quickly; others may take a little percolating, like I did.
It could be very interesting.
And I'm looking forward to it immensely.
See you Tuesday.
Linking up to Follow Me Friday at 40 and Over Bloggers (now that I'm 41, I'm in the over category!)
Great idea, Jen. I'll think on it.
ReplyDelete=)
You always ask me to do something hard. But then I like it. I'm looking forward to seeing what your word is.
ReplyDelete....hmmmmm better start thinking now!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's tough. Funny enough this never occurred to me as I read the book, guess I was too distracted by other aspects. I'll have to think, but I'm not sure I'll find a word in the English language...wish I knew more languages!
ReplyDeleteLove this post.
ReplyDeleteI'm really confused over the responses to my post about the movie. Almost everyone disliked the movie or even walked out on it. Hmmm.....what did I miss. Maybe I'm not a deep thinking person and I didn't get what was being said or presented and in that case all the better I guess.
I loved the simplicity of life that character seemed to find in these 3 different places. It made me realize all the unnecessary chaos we create in our lives. Maybe it was just the scenery and culture I loved about the movie.
Now about the word. I think mine would have to be "I Ching"....always changing/ever changing. That's me.
Thank you for stopping by. I love the idea of finding a word that would reflect me! A great idea! Will have to think about it.....
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing the movie 3 times my thoughts are that the most crucial part of her life was not developed enough....
Finding that balance or internal journey seemed so easy in the movie that it lacked depth, substance and struggle...
I like the idea of a one word definition- I'm really bad at those, since my one word turns into one sentence. Also I wasn't a fan of the book either- I couldn't finish it, and that's rare for me.
ReplyDeleteI keep trying to think what my word could be, but I think I'm trying too hard. This will be one of those things where you wake up at 2 am and go 'Of course! THAT'S my word!'
ReplyDeleteooh, I'm going to really have to think about this one :) I'll get started...
ReplyDeleteI will have to think about it too...I have not read the book or seen the movie...not sure if I will.
ReplyDeleteNew follower from 40 Follow Friday. Have a great weekend.
hahaha...second post I am reading about this in a row from Java's follow friday...the first one was no. 5 Living Laughing Breathing.
ReplyDeleteMaybe fate is telling me that I've just gotta read this book and do a post on it.
http://australianinathens.blogspot.com
One word... Curious. I'm curious about life, people, to learn one new thing every day etc.
ReplyDeleteFollow Friday 40 and over greetings from Casablanca, Morocco...
So, we have until Tuesday?.....Well, I have a long flight - good for thinking, and I should be able to come up with something.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I loved this book but not because it's on my favorites list either - because it's my life. It's like she was writing about me. I do have a word for me so I'll do this, too.
ReplyDeleteI love it.
WOW, such a great looking family. I have looked at this book but haven't yet bought it, guess I'll be doing that soon. Sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and following. I'm following you back. I'm off to read a bit more and get to know you.
Take care and have a blessed day.
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteI'm following you back. I love those boots in the previous post btw!
I look forward to reading more posts!
Marnie xx
Hi, saw your comment...Tillman's mom wrote a book as well and it tells the family perspective.. Its called "Boots on the Ground By Dusk"
ReplyDeleteas far as EPL, I read it at a time in my life where I had suffered loss.. Her book helped me get thru it.. Also she hits on a lot of key points that I think most (not all) women go thru..I have to say they over did the hoopla of this book like so many others...Must be the year of enlightenment? lol
I'll be following u as well..
U've got a beautiful baby there!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, I'm now following. Come back and see me sometime :)I think I fixed the link you mentioned.
ReplyDelete~Lily
www.neverfadingwood.blogspot.com
Great assignment... I was riding my bike thinking about all that I need to do, and all that I just have no time to do...and realized the word for me right now is: ENTROPY. Things that don't get my energy become increasingly disordered...unfortunately more and more things are not getting my energy. ENTROPY!
ReplyDeleteSo glad someone else isn't gushing over the book...read it and thought...well too much to write here.
ReplyDeleteAnd COME to New Hampshire. I really wished I would have made the trip in the beginning of the summer...it would have helped me immensly this summer feel not so burned out I think.
I hope you can come!
I definitely wished that parts of that book hadn't been included, they didn't agree with this Mormon girl. But I too loved her writing style and the book definitely made me think about myself and what kind of person I am. It also caused me to meditate more often. To step away from the "busyness" of life and to sit, ponder, and pray. I think we forget to do that a lot. Now you've got me thinking even more, I guess I better go meditate and figure out what my word is....
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen, for visiting Middle Passages. I have Eat, Pray, Love on hold at the library if it ever comes back. I'd rather read the book first before seeing the movie, though I saw an inspiring talk Elizabeth Gilbert gave via a YouTube video which gave me pause for thought. I look forward to reading your blog going forward.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jen! Enjoyed your blog. Too tired after "one of those days" to figure out my word. Tonight it would only be "sleep". Just wanted to say hi and follow! Take care.
ReplyDeletePatrice
www.everydayruralty.com
Reading that right now. What a fun thing to think about! I'll check back Tuesday...can't wait!
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm your latest follower from the over 40 group. Nice to meet you. That's some post you got there. Well, I guess I can think of a word. You have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you join us today!!! Hope you have a really great weekend!!
Java
Popped over from Mama Zen. I loved the book, hated the movie, but cannot believe what a beautiful large family you have, or how gorgeous you are.
ReplyDeletewww.angiemuresan.com
What a challenge for the weekend. That is tough. I read this a few years ago and enjoyed the story. Not sure if I will go to the movie though.
ReplyDeleteThank you for finding my blog. Now following you.
xoxo,t
Ha! I just wrote a post about this movie--have yet to see it!
ReplyDeleteBu tone word that describes me?
Easy peasy:
Passionate.
About my God, my family, my friends, my place in the world.
Such a cute blog!!! Love your post on the Sears help line - I had a very similar experience with Kodak and in fact changed phone service providers (yeah I'm one of those weirdo's that still has a land line in my home) because of their call center in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteI'm pondering a word for me - I'll be back if I can find one!!!
Hmmmm one word....that is hard....but I will have to think about it.
ReplyDeleteI was not a fan of the book..I found her whiney and now it's "Eat Pray Love" every where you look. Clothing, perfume, jewelry..give me a break. And as for a word..my word at the New Year was Balance. Here we are 9 months later and I'm still trying to find it...family, marriage, me time, excercise, diet..I wonder if I can ever say that I'm perfectly "balanced"...and what did you decide..NH??? would LOVE to see you..
ReplyDeleteOkay, I've been working on mine and I think I got it:
ReplyDeleteReal.
Interesting to find my one word that reveals me. I'm curious what everyone else's word will be. Hi, I'm your newest follower from the 40+ blog hop and I'd like to be one of your cyber chums, so I hope you'll come visit and follow my blog too. You can't have too mang bloggier friends, right? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHaupi