Eat, Pray, Finally Finished the Book

These are japa malas. Prayer beads. They have been used in India by Buddhists and Hindus. If you can believe what Elizabeth Gilbert wrote in Eat, Pray, Love; rosary beads came from japa malas. I want a set of japa malas. I believe they can help me focus. I can feel the beads in my hands already. I do not think there is a Japa Malas R Us store in Bloomington. I know there are Buddhists in Bloomington. They can't all order their beads on-line. What if there is a bead emergency? Anyway, I digress. Tomorrow on my lunch, I will hunt for the beads. I want my beads to be pretty and feel smooth. I would like a cute bag to keep the beads in. What does all of this mean? I was once again sucked in by the book, Eat, Pray, Love. Those of you who do not get it, I say I do not get how you do not get it. This book is an amazing journey. For the really young people, I can understand that this book is not for you. You have not lost yourself. You have not gone off the course you wanted your life on. I am old. I am desperate. I want beads to help me find my center.

Eat, Pray, Love is not the usual book. I feel the journey. I feel like I get on a wave and ride it with Elizabeth. The beauty of her words surround me like warm water. I have been on the cold bathroom floor. I have cried until I could not cry anymore. I have looked in the mirror and not recognized the person looking back at me. I have jumped on the train of life with an open ended ticket and not bothered to get off the train. This book is not about Italy. It is not about India. It is not about Bali. You do not have to practice meditation or yoga. The purpose of the book is to remind us to get off the train. Elizabeth's story tells us how she was able to do that. If meditation is not your thing, what is. Some people run.

I am talking to you Mrs. I remember the blog you wrote when you started running again. How it reminded you of why you loved to run. That was your Italy Mrs. When you run, you are you. You are not the Mom, Teacher, Wife. You get to remember when life was about you.

Tru Stories has yoga. She also has her blog. She has creativity and that is her true self. When she is decorating her house. Writing a story that makes us all laugh or cry. Planning a dance once a year that people wait for. That is her true self. The first time she read the book, she got it. This book inspired her.

The Page Turner's is part of my journey. It inspires me. The blog. The club. The reading. The discussions. It is all part of the journey to find me. To inspire. To make me be a better person. To find more joy. To live a life with more laughter and hope. To enjoy more moments everyday.

To my dear friend, Milhouse. Read the book. Take the journey. Read it slow. Take it one chapter at a time. One bead at a time. She uses lots of words. If a few of them reach you, it is worth it. You have been on this journey for awhile already. Your brave move. Taking a chance at a crazy love. You are starting to believe you are special. I have always thought you were. Love yourself more. Do great things for you. I hope the book inspires you.

The first time Tru Stories and I read the book, she put together a group of women to walk to the next town. Crazy thing to do. I did it. I am proud I did it. This time I want the book to inspire me to work harder on me.

I am rating the book #4. I know it is not going to do well at the meeting tomorrow night. I really believe it reaches the people that need to be reached. If you are already getting off the train, you do not need this book. Unfortunately, most people do not remember to live life. I hope it inspires a few people to work on that.