Right Book. Right Time.

Obviously I love to read. Reading my blog every now and then lets you know I consume books like some people consume energy drinks. I've been reading since the second grade, and the only trouble I got into in elementary and middle school was for hiding "outside reading" behind my textbooks. Yes, that makes me a goody-goody, but only until high school. I assure you I got into my fair share of trouble then. Just ask my parents.

Wednesday Wisdom: Elizabeth Gilbert

Anyone who's been around me in the past few weeks knows that I am enthralled in Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love.  Yes, I know I'm behind by about four years but these things happen at the exact moment for a reason, and I'm confident that the universe brought the library's free digital copy and me together with precision timing.

What I love most about the audio version is that I am listening to Gilbert herself read the magnificent stories she's written, with a genuineness only she can express.  And although there are about 100 passages I've marked so far, today's Wednesday Wisdom is one I've taken especially to heart.

"The resting place of the mind is the heart. The only thing the mind hears all day is clanging bells and noise and argument, and all it wants is quietude. The only place the mind will ever find peace is inside the silence of the heart. That's where you need to go." 

Gilbert with Oprah

Thanks to Gilbert I am now working to find that silence inside of me (which those that know me know that "talkative" is an understatement).  Surprisingly, meditation hasn't been very difficult to slip into.  I'm not saying it's easy to quiet my mind completely --- in fact, it's just the opposite.  I have what Gilbert describes as "monkey mind," but the practice, or more precisely the desire to practice, has been easy.  I see the results of a ten- or fifteen-minute meditation for the rest of the day.  And don't get me started on how much easier I fall asleep if I meditate right before bed!

In addition I've taken up yoga again --- I start an eight-week-long beginner's class on Thursday night!  My instructor is a fabulous young Ukraine woman and the class has only four other students!

So I find it fitting to let Gilbert's words be my first Wednesday Wisdom, words which have had profound influence over me and will no doubt continue to do so on many levels.


Note: Although I recommend that everyone read the book first, I'm excited that the DVD release date is November 23!