There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I can read and eat and study. I can choose how I’m going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life-whether I will see them as curses or opportunities. I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts.
– Elizabeth Gilbert
Image: “Choice” by Marco Musso via Flickr.
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
And that is the order in which it all happens, I feel, at least it is true for me. Some time in my 30s I became choosier about how I spent my time and with whom I spent it, and now I’m in the middle of working on the final two – choosing my words and tone and, the hardest one, choosing my thoughts.
Insightful comment, Cecilia. I often keep this catch phrase handy,”Do not believe all of your thoughts.” It is a struggle for me as well and as I venture into my forties, I am working on trying to choose my thoughts more wisely.
Well said!
Rudri,
I find this a really interesting quote. I’m not sure I completely agree with it because it sounds like what someone who is single without children can say. But when you are responsible for others on a permanent basis, it’s not all true. It’s more like something I might wish for on certain days, but not what the reality is. Am I the only person that reads Gilbert’s words this way?
I understand your point, Luanne. I do agree that choices are more vast when one does not have attachments. But after having children, there is greater gravity to the decisions we make. For me personally, there is a sense of liberation in both set of circumstances. Thanks for chiming in. You pushed me to reconsider the quote in another light.
I do love her a lot!
This speaks to me very much. Although like the above comment, I am a parent of young children. There are still many choices, though.
She is quite empowering in person, Tamara. If you ever have a chance to check her out in your city, please attend. You will not regret it.
Interesting quote and we’ll said but so many don’t have choices .
Yes, Ayala, This is an important point. Some people are limited by their choices given the circumstances and people in their lives.
yes!
Oh…I needed this today!