Okay, so I didn’t actually read the book. My daughter did and loved it. So we went to see the movie this weekend. And it was wonderful! But now I want to eat my way through Italy (which is not a new idea to me) and go to Bali (which is totally new to me.) And I want to LIVE – all caps.
I mean seriously you can’t walk out of that movie (and I suspect from the astronomical sales, the same can be said of the book) without wondering if you’ve found the meaning in your life. Or, if you haven’t, without wanting to find it. And I’m happy to say it might not take a trip to Italy, India and Bali to do it either. Maybe just a great bowl of pasta and a serious look at what it is you’ve got and what it is you want and how to make the two of them go together.
I’ve always said that the one thing I want in life is not to die with a lot of regret. I want to do the things I want to do now, not wait and see if maybe I can do them later. I truly believe that life is for living. But it’s so easy to get lost in the day-to-day aspects of it that you forget to—excuse the cliché—stop and smell the roses. There is magic all around us. We just have to open our eyes and see it.
Okay—so enough of me and my philosophizing. Grab a friend—a good friend—and go see the movie. And then go out and do something fabulous together. Celebrate the moment! 
Eat, Pray, Love.
Great concept. Great book (I suspect). And wonderful movie.
Seen it? Read it? Have your own version of it to share?
In honor of YOU, dear readers, because we love you and we haven’t given anything away in the longest time, we’re giving away a Kindle Fire (or the gift card equivalent, in the event you have or don’t want a Kindle Fire) to one lucky commenter from now until February 13, when we will choose a winner at random from commenters, to be announced on Valentine’s Day. 
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I haven’t read the book nor seen the movie though my sister did both and raves about them. At one point, she called to quote from it and I returned the favor by quoting from a nonfiction book I was reading then that was rocking my world. She just told me I had to see the movie “because she loved it and she told me so.” Glad you enjoyed the movie.
The book has been on my potential tbr list for awhile. Lots of women I know have raved about it – particularly divorced women. It does seem like women who have undergone real tragedy aren’t inspired by it and want to tell her to get over herself. Yet, my sister loves it.
It’s such a cultural watershed now that I think I have to make an effort to at least start it. That’s partly why I picked up Twilight, and that was fun. And you know I love nonfiction. I’m a little wary about reading about some skinny chick raving about eating, but that’s my own issue.
The be zen message seems to work for me right now.
Well the eating part is short lived and is really about giving in to the zest of life. I think the whole thing is about finding balance between the three — eat, pray, love. It’s an interesting journey.
Thanks, Dee. It does seem like I’m getting the message everywhere to check this book out, and I much rather read it first. I think I’ll go flip through it at a bookstore on my late lunch break.
That could be why I am not getting it, really. I’ve never even been through a bad break up. My husband was the first man I loved and we’re celebrating our 20th anniversary tomorrow. 20 years married, 23 years together. There was never anyone else.
And that makes you a lucky lucky woman… ( and him a lucky man!)
Have fun at Disney.. we’ll be thinking of you!!!!!!!!
I haven’t read the book, but my SIL swears it’s the best book she’s ever read. Yet a close friend didn’t like it at all. Go figure. Since I’m on deadline, the movie will probably be out of theatres by the time I’m able to crawl out of the deadline cave, so I’ll have to wait for the DVD.
Feel your deadline pain!!!!
I think having conferences to attend helps, too. RWA is our own little Eat Pray Love fest. I prefer to have good friends or family along for any journey I take these days.
Dee, you could have written the book!
I read the book, back when it came out and was The Thing for bookclubs. I never made it to Bali. I did not fall in love with the book. I thought it was well written and insightful in some places, but it didn’t really speak to me.
But I will definitely see the movie. I think it would make a great movie!
It wasn’t the most amazing movie I’ve ever seen, but it did remind me that every moment is precious. And it was fun to “travel” with Julia Roberts to all these wonderful places… Warning though — it will make you crave pizza.
Well, I always knew I could get into the Eat part. I’m a little more won over if your daughter liked the book, though. The kid has good sense and taste.
Well, we know where my priorities are… I kept calling it Eat, Love, Pray.
Oh and…
It’s sort of the Bucket List for women, I think. I’ve seen neither, but that’s the impression I’m getting. I’m intrigued and want to see the movie. My dh is SO not interested, LOL.
Favorite finding yourself in Italy movie: Under the Tuscan Sun
Adore that movie so much we own it! This is similar but less humor and more reflective I think. Still, worth seeing. Oh, now you’ve made me want to see Under the Tuscan Sun like right now!
Very profound words, Dee. I eat, chat, drink, and walk with my friends as much as I can, because I don’t think you need beautiful places, beautiful people, or sumptous food in order to live. We (my family) were brought up in such simple surroundings, but I think I learned more from that than all the world-travelling experiences combined.
I have to say that I’m with Sherri. I have a very good friend who read the book and loved it, but she enjoys non-fiction and reading real life stories. For me, memoirs like this are pretty much about whiners. My children use up my whining tolerance on a daily basis.
Now, if she had been disabled, triumphed over cancer, or dealt with impending foreclosure, I would have cut her some slack.
Not much of a non-fiction reader either. But at least with the movie it resonated. I think sometimes the little triumphs are important too.
And yet, we’re the Whine Sisters.
Well, whining is WAY more fun!
LOL. Exactly. Perhaps I only tolerate whining from the people that I love.
Haven’t seen it or read it, and no desire. I’ve seen interviews with the author. I do think that Julia Roberts probably did a great job with the role. I didn’t need a journey to find me. I’ve always pretty much known who I am, what I want, and went for it. So I guess the concept of having to search for these things is a little lost on me. I haven’t traveled as much as I would like yet, but I will. And I live with no regrets. Except for things that I can’t control, and that’s pretty much a waste of time and energy, but sometimes I’m a bit self-indulgent in that area.
I think you’re attitude is right-on. But I do think there are others who need the search. And for me at least hers (in the movie) was more about learning to forgive yourself for the mistakes and get on with it. And I liked that.
It’s a good message, and sometimes we all have to remind ourselves.