You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
I had always been taught that the pursuit of happiness was my natural (even national) birthright. It is the emotional trademark of my culture to seek happiness. Not just any kind of happiness, either, but profound happiness, even soaring happiness. And what could possibly bring a person more soaring happiness than romantic love.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the cultural belief in pursuing profound happiness, particularly through romantic love.
Elizabeth Gilbert articulates the idea that the search for happiness is a fundamental right and expectation in her culture. She highlights that this pursuit is not only about any form of happiness, but aiming for a deep, fulfilling joy, which she associates most closely with romantic love. Through this lens, love becomes a key avenue for achieving the ultimate state of happiness.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about love and relationships.
You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Do not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.
When I tried this morning, after an hour or so of unhappy thinking, to dip back into my meditation, I took a new idea with me: compassion. I asked my heart if it could please infuse my soul with a more generous perspective on my mind's workings. Instead of thinking that I was a failure, could I perhaps accept that I am only a human being--and a normal one, at that?
And when you sense a faint potentiality for happiness after such dark times you must grab onto the ankles of that happiness and not let go until it drags you face-first out of the dirt - this is not selfishness, but obligation. You were given life; it is your duty to find something beautiful within life no matter how slight.
But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilling yearnings.
Your home is whatever in this world you love more than you love yourself.
i know someday you'll have a beautiful life. I know you'll be a sun in somebody else's sky. But why can't it be mine?
Seriously, though, I think I never ceased to be grateful of the fact that I am able to do a job that I really love - I never got over that.
Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.
For suddenly, I saw you there And through foggy London town The sun was shining everywhere.
Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds.
I have never dreamed of being a princess. I have not longed for Prince Charming. I have and do long for something resembling a happily ever after. I am supposed to be above such flights of fantasy, but I am not. I am enamored of fairy tales.
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