Life Shines On

I love going to the movies and an air-conditioned theatre is a great way to escape the heat of the summer; especially this summer!  So when I read that Eat Pray Love is debuting this August, I thought, "that's a good summer movie".  For those of you who have missed all of the excitement about Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat Pray Love, it is an account of how Gilbert coped with her divorce, the breakup of a relationship, and her decision to not follow the traditional path of becoming a mother.  As a therapist, I witness, both men and women struggling with life's transitions.  My professional and personal view is that some of our hardest times can turn our lives into something better.  That seems to be what happened for Gilbert.  Although I think, ultimately, she was wrestling with following her own dreams versus taking the more traditional path in life.  After much self nuturing through food and then contemplation she became comfortable with her choice.  It would be great if we didn't have to feel the pain, but that's unavoidable.   I think if we can understand that the pain can be temporary and that it is a opportunity to re-evaluate our lives; maybe things will be even better.  For as a good friend of mine told me once when I was going through a difficult time, "this too shall pass".  Pain can be temporary, if we choose to look for that which makes us feel whole.  And sometimes that starts with chocolate, but can end in love.