Am in the process of reading “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. Followed a reverse process this time. Had read “Committed” earlier, a sequel to “Eat, Pray and Love”- liked the author's style of writing and then picked up this bestseller. Has been a good read so far. Her writing is engagingly simple, entertaining and genuine. It helps that it is a memoir. Yesterday, I came across these beautiful lines in the book:
“There are only two questions that humans ever fought over all through history. How much do you love me and who's in charge? Everything else is somehow manageable. But the two questions of love and control undo us all, trip us up and cause war, grief and suffering.”
I found the two lines quite profound. How much do you love me?? is a question frequently posed to different people depending on the stage that you are in . As a child, you may have asked this question to your parents, as a teenager you may have posed this question to a friend/ siblings, as an adult you may have asked this to your girlfriend/boyfriend/ spouse and subsequently maybe to your kids. I find that question absolutely ridiculous. As a kid if these kind of questions are asked, it is sweet because you respond also in similar childish fashion but as you grow up, does it matter? Either you love somebody or you don't. There is no measurement bowl/ tape which can measure the intensity. Relationships/love grow with time, experiences, connect level (chemistry) and sacrifice. Besides, the relentless need to control people/ situations etc in life makes no sense. Can you control the weather? Can you control the thoughts and speech of people around you?? If you really want to control things in your life so bad; work on the mind. That's the only thing you should be trying to control. Drop everything else but that. If you can master your thoughts, you can live an extraordinary life. How can you do that?? Well, that's the subject matter for another post. So keep reading!!
7 comments:
I cannot deny how true it is. How much do you love me is a human obsession. And who's in charge may have to do with our need for who to blame.
I have not read the book yet. After a marathon "The lost girls", I wanted to take a break from travel books. But hey, now that you recommend it, why not? Will check it out..
Good post Mansee! I agree with what you say. talking about questions we encounter in our life...the more I experience life, the more I feel that there are only two relevant questions ever to be asked of anybody- "are you safe?", and "are you happy?". As long as the answers to these questions are yes, there is nothing to worry about in our lives or in the lives of our loved ones. Everything else is secondary according to me.
Sandhya
Koi no prem ochho nathi hoto
Aapani apeksha vadhere hoi chhe
- Suresh Dalal
@A: Its not exactly a travel book - but yeah, Rome is described, India from a spiritual point of view...and the third part, I have still not started so I dont know.
@ Sandhya- Very true!! I believe "are you happy" is the most pertinent question
@ Kiran - True!
Thanks for the feedback guys. Its extremely encouraging :)
I use my hands to control the thoughts and speech of people around me. :P
very touching & true lines..its tough but not an impossible task to work on one's mind, just that we have to stick to our values...i feel this is continuous process in everyone's life
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