Elizabeth Gilbert’s Journal
I’m just about done Eat, Pray, Love. I feel like the last person on earth to read it, but that’s the beauty of a book. It’s always there to be experienced. You don’t have to do it when the crowd does it, you can do it on your own time. Last night I was looking back on some of the pages I dog-eared—reminding myself that those pages in particular stood out to me for one reason or another—and I found this gem. Elizabeth’s journey to wholeness began with a journal entry. Actually it began with emotional agony and uncertainty, but she was able to sooth herself with writing. It reminded me that this is what therapy is essentially: tapping into the parts of yourself that are focused and strong and asking them to help the parts of you that are trembling and weak.
Page 54 (of the paperback)
What I write in my journal tonight is that I’m weak and full of fear. I explain that Depression and Loneliness have shown up, and I’m scared they will never leave. I say that I don’t want to take drugs anymore, but I’m frightened I will have to. I’m terrified that I will never really pull my life together.
In response, somewhere from within me, rises a now-familiar presence, offering me all the certainties I have always wished another person would say to me when I was troubled. This is what I find myself writing to myself on the page:
I’m here. I love you. I don’t care if you need to stay up crying all night long, I will stay with you. If you need the medication again, go ahead and take it—I will love you through that, as well. If you don’t need the medication, I will love you, too. There’s nothing you can ever do to lose my love. I will protect you until you die, and after death I will still protect you. I am stronger than Depression and I am braver than Loneliness and nothing will ever exhaust me.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I just found your blog and I wanted to tell you I absolutely loved Note to Self. Wonderful! Thanks.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I too just found your blog after listening to an interview with you on Craftsanity and am loving it. I just ordered a copy of For the Love of Letters and was inspired to write an erotic letter to my boyfriend after skimming that section in the bookstore. I’ve loved letter-writing and having pen pals since I was a child so this book is right up my alley.
I am also really looking forward to checking out Note to Self. My boyfriend and I will most likely be stopping by at Book Corner in Philly for the workshop.
August 7th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Oh, you’re not the last person. I haven’t read it even now.