Gilbert Week: Day 6

Well, this will be the last installment of "Gilbert Week."  I know it's been more like a month... but I wanted to finish the series.  I leave you today with some wise words from Eat, Pray, Love:

"The Bhagavad Gita--that ancient Indian Yogic text--says that it is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection.  So now I have started living my own life.  Imperfect and clumsy as it may look, it is resembling me now, thoroughly."

Do not judge others just because their lives do not resemble your life or your expectations.

Don't wish for what others have, or to be somebody else.  Their's is not your life to live!  

Let yourself be guided by your own heart, not by society's expectations.

Dare to challenge convention.

Thank you, Elizabeth Gilbert, for being an incredible writer and for sharing

so much of yourself through your work!

Amado Mio, Love Me Forever

Ok, I've been meaning to post about this for a while.  Last week, my mom, sister, and I got to see Pink Martini in concert at the Fox theater in Tucson.  Their show was incredibly entertaining!  And their musicianship was uh- maz- ing!  It's hard to describe their style... it's kind of 40's-50's big band meets world music.  I'll just let their music speak for itself:

"Amado Mio"

All of their albums are amazing!  If you are looking for a Christmas gift, keep them in mind :)

@Marissa, they are from Portland!

Peace and love,

Chelsea

Gilbert Week: Day 5

We all create.  Some of us are more overt about it--writing, taking photos, and sewing.  Many of us don't feel creative at all, and maybe we aren't providing ourselves enough outlets, but we remain creative whether we like it or not.  As we live and make decisions and make connections, we are creating life.  This is what the quote at the top of my blog is all about.  The creation of the world wasn't a one-time event.  Our world is always changing and evolving.  And we get to take part in the ongoing creation of the world.  How exciting is that?

In this video, Elizabeth Gilbert addresses an audience of writers.  She explores what it means to create and to be inspired.  It's a very moving talk--about 20 minutes long, but worth the watch!

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

Gilbert Week: Day 4

Gilbert on God . . .

"The search for God is a reversal of the normal, mundane worldly order.  In the search for God, you revert from what attracts you and swim toward that which is difficult.  You abandon your comforting and familiar habits with the hope (the mere hope!) that something greater will be offered you in return for what you've given up."

"Devotion is diligence without assurance.  Faith is a way of saying, 'Yes, I pre-accept the terms of the universe and I embrace in advance what I am presently incapable of understanding.'  There's a reason we refer to 'leaps of faith'--because the decision to consent to any notion of divinity is a mighty jump from the rational over to the unknowable."

"Faith is belief in that you cannot see or prove or touch.  Faith is walking face-first and full-speed into the dark.  If we truly knew all the answers in advance as to the meaning of life and the nature of God and the destiny of our souls, our belief would not be a leap of faith and it would not be a courageous act of humanity; it would just be . . .  a prudent insurance policy."    (All quotes from Eat, Pray, Love)

I love the last part where she says that if we truly knew all the answers, our belief wouldn't really matter anymore.  It would cease to be a "courageous act of humanity."  Lately I've been thinking that if God does exist, how could we possibly claim to know everything about the nature of God and how to pursue God?  Why do we argue about which beliefs are right, when we could never really know the answer to that?  That seems a little arrogant to me.  Really, you know what God is thinking?  You have all the answers to life's mysteries?  But the fact that life is full of mystery shouldn't detract us from trying to figure it out, from seeking answers.  The beauty is in the search to know God.  Ok, now I'm thinking of another quote by Rob Bell.  This was supposed to be an Elizabeth Gilbert post but here it is:

"Being a Christian [or a believer] 

is more about celebrating 

mystery than conquering it." 

- Rob Bell      

Peace and love,

Chelsea

Get It

I LOVE this song!  I've been dancing to it tonight... and I think you should too!  In the words of my friends Emma and Marissa, "Get it!"

Gilbert Week: Day 3

And while we're on the topic of marriage...  

Q: In the chapter "Marriage and History," you point out that Christians believe marriage to be a sacred union.  Where does this belief stem from and can marriage really be deemed a sacred union?  (This was taken from A Conversation with Elizabeth Gilbert on her official website).

A: Just to be clear-Christian leadership decided that marriage was a sacred union only very recently. The early Christian fathers demonstrated a serious aversion to marriage, believing instead that the only truly sacred state of being was lifelong celibacy and fellowship (in imitation of Christ and the angels.) For the first thousand or so years of Christian history, the church did not concern itself with the business of marriage at all, because marriage was not seen as a sacrament (as opposed to baptism, say, which was always a sacrament); instead, marriage was considered a worldly and secular affair, that had everything to do with sex and property and taxes and women, and nothing to do with the higher concerns of divinity. That changed in the year 1215 AD, when the Catholic church officially took over the marriage business, as a means of exerting greater control over the unions and divorces of European royalty. And since then, Christian leadership has embraced marriage and preached marriage and now is even "defending" marriage. But all that Christian reverence toward marriage is very recent-certainly in contrast to, say, Judaism, where marriage has been considered a noble union for thousands of years (although even in ancient Hebrew society, the union was never considered inviolably sacred: there was always provision for divorce.)  I am not saying that marriage shouldn't be seen as holy or sacred, but I object when those words are used as weapons against individuals within something that should be a private union, and that is almost invariably a complicated one.

More on the topic from Committed:

"So when modern-day religious conservatives wax nostalgic about how marriage is a sacred tradition that reaches back into history for thousands of uninterrupted years, they are absolutely correct, bit in only one respect - only if they happen to be talking about Judaism."  (Committed, p. 58)

"Then-congressman James M. Talent of Missouri undoubtedly spoke for many when he said in 1996, 'It is an act of hubris to believe that marriage can be infinitely malleable, that it can be pushed and pulled around like Silly Putty without destroying its essential stability and what it means to our society.'  The problem with that argument, though, is that the only thing marriage has ever done, historically and definitionally speaking, it to change.  Marriage in the Western world changes with every century, adjusting itself constantly around new social standards and new notions of fairness.  The Silly Putty-like malleability of the institution, in fact, is the only reason we still have the thing at all.  Very few people -- Mr. Talent included, I'll wager -- would accept marriage on its 13th century terms."  (Committed, p. 71)

What I take from this is that we cannot simplify the history of marriage.  I fully respect people and churches who see marriage as a holy union.  I also respect (though I disagree) with churches who want to control who can can get married inside their walls; they are, after all, private institutions.  Just keep in mind that marriage has not always been seen as this intimate, sacred bond.  Historically, it was a secular institution that often had a lot more to do with wealth management and social order.  There was a time when The Church was not involved in marriages at all.  So marriage has evolved... a lot.  And when people say that we have to protect the sanctity of marriage and the way that it's always been... that's just not true.  There is no "way it's always been," even within Christianity.  Of course, marriage can absolutely be a sacred, holy commitment if that is what suits you personally and religiously.  

Thanks, EG, for the fascinating info!

Gilbert Week: Day 2

Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage.  When I first heard this title I was immediately drawn to it and I have no idea why... ok, ok, I may or may not have occasional nightmares that include me getting married to somebody I barely know and me having to cancel the wedding in a very dramatic fashion.  So I definitely have some skepticism and fear when it comes to the commitment of marriage.


Committed is a fascinating exploration of marriage, its history, and its social and cultural implications.  It turns out that the history of marriage and not nearly as simple as some would have us believe.  In the interview below, Gilbert shares how her expectations have changed and talks about the ever-evolving nature of marriage:


Good Reads: Do you feel you have a handle on the marriage thing after writing this book? What do you hope married and serious couples will take away from Committed? 

EG: I've come away with a respect for the institution that I did not expect. I really did think that the more I studied it, the more hostile I would become toward it. The conclusion that I came to at the end, that was inspiring and comforting, is that marriage is not this hidebound institution that is forced upon people, or is one cookie-cutter shape that you have to accept because society says so. 

Marriage is an ongoing, centuries-long social experiment that is mostly controlled by the individuals in the relationships who insist on determining what the relationship terms are going to be. And that's why the terms of marriage change with every century and decade. We're shaping it from the inside. Marriage endures because it evolves. Obviously it does. None of us would accept marriage on its 13th century terms, not even the most conservative people in the country would accept it. So in order for marriage to endure it has to change along with us, and it does that very graciously. And in the end I find there is something kind of moving about it: the fact that people continue to insist on choosing somebody to build a life with. 

Committed also gave me an enormous amount of perspective about myself: I'm an enormous product of my century, I'm a product of my upbringing. I was not aware of the fact that I was entering marriage with the highest set of expectations that humans have ever brought to the institution. It was really good to find that out. It doesn't have to be the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the moon and the stars—it can just be the moon. It's enough that it just can be what it is. I've calmed down a lot about what I expect marriage should be in my life.

  

Gilbert Week

It's an Elizabeth Gilbert kind of day!  I just love Elizabeth Gilbert.  Her books Eat, Pray, Love and Committed are two of my all-time favorites and I highly recommend them.  They are entertaining, enlightening, and inspiring!  She writes with great honesty and, to me, just seems like a very genuine person.  

So I've decided to do a short blog series on Elizabeth Gilbert.  Today is the first installment!  I want to share a blurb from an interview she did with Barnes & Noble for "Meet the Writers."

What are your favorite kinds of books to give -- and get -- as gifts?       
My feeling about literature is the same as my feeling about furniture -- it is meant to be used. There's no reason to keep a piece of furniture in your house that is so sacred and rare that you can't put your feet up on it and a dog can't jump up on it. Likewise, a book that sits on a shelf like a piece of porcelain, only to be admired, never to be read again, is a dead book. I try not to make my bookshelves into graveyards, so I'm constantly giving books away by the dozen. The minute I'm finished with a great book, I pass it on. I like to see books circling around, living and breathing and being enjoyed, getting handled and dropped and read in the bathtub and marked up with exclamation points. The more I like the book, the less likely that I'll keep it. 

As far as what I like to receive -- just like every other devoted bookworm, my favorite four words are, "You Gotta Read This."

Love it!  I, on the other hand, am a little more attached to my books.  Hey, I might want to reread them one day!

Happy reading,
Chelsea

Sometimes

Sometimes

 by Sheenagh Pugh

Sometimes things don’t go, after all,

from bad to worse.  Some years, muscadel

faces down frost; green thrives; the crops don’t fail,

sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.

A people sometimes will step back from war;

elect an honest man; decide they care

enough, that they can’t leave some stranger poor.

Some men become what they were born for.

Sometimes our best efforts do not go

amiss; sometimes we do as we meant to.

The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow

that seemed hard frozen: may it happen for you.

Photo by Me :)

Seven Billion

This NY Times article scares me:  Seven Billion

It's a long one, so here are some highlights:

"Can the earth support seven billion now, and the three billion people who are expected to be added by the end of this century? Are the enormous increases in households, cities, material consumption and waste compatible with dignity, health, environmental quality and freedom from poverty?"

"Nearly half the world lives on $2 a day, or less. In China, the figure is 36 percent; in India, 76 percent. More than 800 million people live inslums. A similar number, mostly women, are illiterate."

"Some 850 million to 925 million people experience food insecurity or chronic undernourishment. In much of Africa and South Asia, more than half the children are stunted (of low height for their age) as a result of chronic hunger. While the world produced 2.3 billion metric tons of cereal grains in 2009-10 — enough calories to sustain 9 to 11 billion people — only 46 percent of the grain went into human mouths. Domestic animals got 34 percent of the crop, and 19 percent went to industrial uses like biofuels, starches and plastics."

"Henceforth we need to measure our growth in prosperity: not by the sheer number of people who inhabit the earth, and not by flawed measurements like G.D.P., but by how well we satisfy basic human needs; by how well we foster dignity, creativity, community and cooperation; by how well we care for our biological and physical environment, our only home."

"We must increase the probability that every child born will be wanted and well cared for and have decent prospects for a good life. We must conserve more, and more wisely use, the energy, water, land, materials and biological diversity with which we are blessed."

..... For me, the take-away from all this is that our choices matter.  I took a really long shower the other day because it felt nice.  But, times that decision by several billion, and that's a lot of water wasted!  I have got remember that I am sharing this earth with 7 billion other people.  If you have a minute, watch these awesome Nat Geo videos!  They really put things into perspective.

"Our choices make a big difference when multiplied by 7 billion."

"So it's not space we need.  It's balance."

Think about your choices today!  I know I will!

Love,

Chelsea

In the Meantime, Live!

Ah, childhood.  When were children, so much was decided for us.  Life was a no-brainer!  Wake up when your mom wakes you up.  Go to the school that your parents chose for you.  Do the homework that was assigned to you.  Eat what your parents put on your plate that night.  We didn't have a lot of choices, which ironically lead to greater peace of mind.  As a child I never asked, "Is Donaldson Elementary really the right school for me?" or, "Am I living my life to its full potential?"  I took what life gave me and didn't really consider alternatives.

As we become full-fledged adults (ack), it's a little scary how many choices we face each day, and how much power we have over the direction our lives.  Obviously, life happens, and we cannot control every aspect.  But on the whole, YOU get to choose where you want to live and how you want to spend your time.  As I face these huge choices, I long for one thing: wisdom.  Oh, glorious wisdom!  I search for it by reading books and talking to people who have been through similar experiences (i.e. friends, family, mentors).  Heck, I'll even trust complete strangers if I think they may have this coveted secret knowledge.

So what's the one huge flaw in all of this?  Probably the fact that I want the vast wisdom of someone who has experienced a lifetime, but I want it now... as a 24-year-old ... who hasn't had that many life experiences.  Silly Chelsea, don't you know that life's most meaningful lessons usually come from experience?  From choices you made that either made you happy or unhappy?  And often, it must be your own experiences, not somebody elses', that will teach you and mold you.

So here is to a life that is real and gritty.  May we learn from every experience and choice, even if it is an unpleasant one.  Let us not be afraid of making a wrong choice.  Wisdom, knowledge, and growth take time.  In the meantime, live!

"In Zen, there is nothing to explain, nothing to teach that will add to your knowledge.  Unless it grows out of yourself, no knowledge is really of value to you, a borrowed plumage never grows."  -- D.T. Suzuki

Ommmmm

Meditation.  Stillness.  Going inward.  Slowing down.  Mindfulness.  

Over the past year, I've been slowly trying to incorporate meditation into my life.  I say "slowly" because it's harder than it looks!  It's hard to set aside time in our busy schedules to just... be.  We focus so much doing and accomplishing.  So, I set a very small goal for myself - 5 minutes a day.  Sometimes I remember and sometimes I don't!  I'm also exploring different ways of being still.  Meditation can take so many different forms.

It can be a form of prayer and connecting with the divine.  

It can be a form of connecting with yourself, your inner voice.  

It be a way of "reformatting" your mind so that you have more control and awareness over your thoughts.  

Even therapists are using mindfulness to help clients cope with their struggles.  There are so many things I could say about mindfulness, but I will leave you with this: Whether it's sacred or secular, the practice of mindfulness is a worthy endeavor.  Consider taking some time to just be.  It can be scary to be alone with yourself without any distractions...  So here is a little inspiration for you:

A great article: You Know You Should Meditate, So Why Don't You?

And an excerpt from The Musician's Soul by James Jordan:

"One must take time for stillness in one's life.  Because so much of the world literally clamors for our undivided attention, we find ourselves constantly focusing toward the outside world, while we virtually ignore our own interiority and soul.  The pace of the world and the pace of our lives almost predestine that we will have no time to know ourselves.  Consequently, many persons live their entire lives without ever really knowing themselves."

Peace,

Chelsea

Spirituality

I am a spiritual person.  I know that, inevitably, many of my posts will be about spirituality.  It's how I view the world.  It's what I'm grappling with right now.

I want you to know that I would in no way ever want to push my thoughts or beliefs onto other people.  I'm not here to convert, evangelize, or convince.  I am here to explore, question, and share.  I am very open-minded in my own beliefs.  Additionally, I am completely respectful of any and every belief.  I do not believe my way is correct.  Nor do I believe any way is correct or "the right way" or "the only way."  The world is not black and white.  We all have different life experiences, different cultures, different values.  Naturally, we are going to find different things that bring our lives meaning and purpose.

I have amazing friends.  When I think about it, their beliefs really cover the spectrum.  From Mormon to Agnostic, from Catholic to Atheist, and everything in between.  And you know what I love most?  That we all have a deep respect for our differences.  And at the same time, I feel like I can engage in conversations about faith or lack-there-of with any of them.  We don't feel the need to tip-toe around our differences.  Don't you hate that?  When you feel like you can't discuss a topic with a friend because it could lead to potential awkwardness?  I say, dive in!

So this is my disclaimer: I'm going to talk about spirituality.  I'm going to use this space to work out many of the questions that I'm currently struggling with.  Life, faith, God, humans, earth, death, connection.  If you have a difference of opinion, then I celebrate that!  I'm so glad you aren't mindlessly swallowing everything you hear without questioning it.  I think that life is a beautiful mystery, and it's not really up to us to "solve" it, because then there wouldn't be any mystery...

Rob Bell, one of my favorite Christian authors, says that faith "is more about celebrating the mystery than conquering it."  I love that.

Peace,

Chelsea

First One

I never thought I would be a blogger.  Most of my friends started blogging years ago.  I've always thought Facebook was a good-enough medium for sharing my photos and keeping in touch with people.  And to be completely honest, I've never thought my life was interesting enough to host it's own domain.  However, it was my dear friend, Kendal, whose blog inspired me to start my own.  In her blog, she shares her thoughts, experiences, and insights and, well, I just feel inspired and enlightened after reading it!

So I've decided to start blogging some thoughts and experiences of my own.  Just for the purpose of sharing and connection.  Perhaps one of you will find some teeny-tiny ounce of insight from one of my experiences, just as I have found wisdom and insight from my friends.  If not, I won't take it personally!

Peace and love,
Chelsea