Beautiful, beautiful. Only beautiful.

I'm on 108, I flipped the pages after and I realized, I'm on the last story and my own journey is ending. All I kept saying to myself was, "Beautiful, beautiful. Only beautiful."

What a lovely story and what a great story-teller, Elizabeth Gilbert is. I enjoyed how she wrote her book. The book if full of honesty. That's what I liked about it. 

What I learned, simply in:

Italy- take pleasure always. Reward yourself always.

India- I have my own mantra now, "Quiet the mind." I always say this to myself now, although the power of it might be lacking on something more positive. But I'm learning, learning and also after my mind achieves the quietness I'm relaxed, calm and now positive thoughts could enter. <3

Indonesia- I still don't know what I've learned from this trip. But I have in mind some things I would like to remember. In the end, Gilbert mentioned that it seems like a fairytale ending because she even had Felipe with her. However, she realized that she wasn't rescued by her prince, but was the "administrator of her own rescue". I liked that idea. I used to think and believe that my life would fall into place when I meet The One. Truly, I ask God for that person. I remember my friend James telling me during our retreat that God doesn't give us everything right away. And I told him, but i'm actually asking only for one thing, not everything! And then, with much more thinking during the retreat I realized I've been only asking God for that one person. But it seems that when He gives me that person, God would eventually be giving me everything else too. So moving on, I like that self-realization of Elizabeth Gilbert. I thought of that too before but was too depressed anyway to incorporate it in my life. But now that I have my mantra now, I don't think of that certain person anymore and the life that we would be having. I used to think of that 24/7 but now I don't and I'm very grateful. I'm now focused on myself and what I can do. This might not sound okay for some but I think of myself now, with more focus. I also used to think of other people too much. I don't really give time for myself. But now I do. <3 What I also like about Bali, was her honesty. I think before I re-think and playback all the hurtful thoughts in mind, playing them over and over but not for forgiveness like what Gilbert did, but for self-pity. hehe, I don't know if I can actually do that now because I'm quite relaxed now. But maybe one by one when these thoughts creep on me again, I'd forgive them and send them to my heart too. That's why on a previous entry, I've doubted myself if I'm just suppressing the feelings and thoughts and not addressing them or I'm not yet completely healed but on my way. Maybe this is a vacation. I'm quite relaxed and loving now. I try to love and be non-judgmental. I try now...

So all in all, all I can say is, I love her writing, her memoir, her changed life. She, and I know a lot of people out there, serve as an inspiration for those wanting to change their toxic lives too. I know the feeling, and I'm trying it out even though I can't fly to my three places too. But I'm following her footsteps when it comes to taking pleasure, praying and balancing. Although honestly, it's not a religious following, but I am trying. 

And now let's pray..

Dearest God, I thank you for the people in the world who serve as inspirations for the troubled ones. They themselves were troubled and now they are healed. May we always remember that problems are temporary and our lives could change for the better. And always there are people willing to help. Thank you Lord. Amen.