You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
I was full of a hot, powerful sadness and would have loved to burst into the comfort of tears, but tried hard not to, remembering something my Guru once said -- that you should never give yourself a chance to fall apart because, when you do, it becomes a tendency and it happens over and over again. You must practice staying strong, instead.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of resilience and maintaining strength in the face of emotional turmoil.
In this quote, Elizabeth Gilbert reflects on a moment of deep sadness and the internal struggle between wanting to express that pain and the wisdom imparted by her Guru about the dangers of allowing oneself to succumb to overwhelming emotions. The advice suggests that developing the habit of staying strong is crucial, as giving in to sadness can create a pattern that leads to recurring emotional breakdowns. Instead of allowing oneself to fall apart, one should practice strength and resilience as a way to navigate life's challenges.
Themes
ResilienceStrengthEmotionsSadnessWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
When giving a motivational speech about overcoming challenges.
More from Elizabeth Gilbert
All quotes →Do not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.
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.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
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?
Elizabeth GilbertRead
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.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilling yearnings.
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