A very kind friend of this page named David posted this today, and asked that I might share it. He said that his heart is aching for everyone who needs transformation in their lives right now, and he asked that we might join in a group prayer toward wishing them well.
Honestly, the simple kindness of this request brought tears to my eyes.
So let's do it.
Let us offer a collective prayer of love this morning for all who are stuck, heartbroken, afraid and lost.
May your turnaround come to you, as it has come to so many of us who have been there.
Pastor Rob Bell describes "despair" as the belief that tomorrow is going to be exactly the same as today.
May you lose that belief, and may it be replaced with a conviction that your future does not necessarily have to look like your past — in fact, your future can be a radically transformed universe. Many of us can attest to that reality — myself included.
You're still here. You're still breathing. If you woke up this morning, you have a second chance. Same thing goes for tomorrow…and onward, and onward.
Hang in there.
May God bless you,
LG
via Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook Wall
STUBBORN GLADNESS
A friend of this page made this for me, and it's so lovely.
Those of you who follow this page have heard me use the term "stubborn gladness" before. I took it from my favorite poem, by the poet Jack Gilbert, where he says, "We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world."
I love the term "stubborn gladness". It is my mantra. I am seriously thinking of getting it tattooed somewhere on my arm, in small, block letters, so I can be reminded always of my ultimate goal in life.
Stubborn gladness is different from mere happiness. Happiness is easy — when it's there, that is. Happiness comes upon you, often out of nowhere. Happiness is airy, fresh, simple. Happiness comes and goes on its own schedule.
Stubborn gladness, on the other hand, is my daily work. It is my prayer. It is a decision. It is a choice. It belongs to me. It is in my hands. It is the most important work — the most important choice — of my life.
Because I am not always bubbling over with happiness, you see. Not every day is a terrific day for me. My mind is not always quiet. I am not always certain of my decisions. I am not always full of faith. I am not always super-proud of my behavior. I am not always super-psyched about the behavior of other people.
But I can tell you this: Every single blessed day of my life, I fight my way back toward the light with stubborn gladness.
Stubborn gladness just to be here.
Stubborn gladness just to have been given another chance at grace.
Every. Single. Blessed. Day.
Onward!
LG
via Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook Wall
HELLO NYC-AREA FRIENDS!
I'll be doing a benefit on this Thursday night (Oct 2) in New York City for one of my favorite charities — an organization called Row New York!
Row New York is a marvelous and effective initiative that brings competitive rowing to underserved communities in New York area. By introducing kids in rough neighborhoods to the ultimate team sport of rowing, they teach discipline, confidence and teamwork — while also getting the kids out into nature.
But Row New York doesn't stop at sports. The kids hang out at the boathouse every afternoon, with tutors to help them on their schoolwork and SATs, and counselors to help them get into good colleges. Their success rate is incredibly impressive. Many of their graduates are now attending terrific schools (Dartmouth, Colby, Bryn Mawr) on athletic or academic scholarships.
Come spend the evening with me on Thursday, and help me to support one of my favorite organizations in NYC!
Details here:
https://bit.ly/1rx1nUh
ONWARD,
LG
via Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook Wall
A friend of this page made this for me…for us — a favorite line from EAT PRAY LOVE.
So lovely.
ONWARD, stubbornly.
LG
via Elizabeth Gilbert’s Facebook Wall
