You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
Nobody until very recently would have thought that their husband was supposed to be their best friend, confidante, intellectual soul mate, co-parent, inspiration.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The modern view of marriage encompasses friendship and emotional support beyond traditional roles.
In this quote, Elizabeth Gilbert reflects on the evolving nature of marital relationships, highlighting that contemporary expectations have expanded beyond the conventional roles of husband and wife. She suggests that a successful partnership now includes emotional intimacy, friendship, shared responsibilities, and mutual inspiration, indicating a shift towards viewing spouses as best friends and equals rather than merely fulfilling societal expectations.
Themes
MarriageFriendshipRelationshipIntimacyLovePartnership
In practice
Example use cases
During a relationship seminar, I shared a quote about modern marriages redefining friendship.
More from Elizabeth Gilbert
All quotes βDo not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
I had always been taught that the pursuit of happiness was my natural (even national) birthright. It is the emotional trademark of my culture to seek happiness. Not just any kind of happiness, either, but profound happiness, even soaring happiness. And what could possibly bring a person more soaring happiness than romantic love.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
When I tried this morning, after an hour or so of unhappy thinking, to dip back into my meditation, I took a new idea with me: compassion. I asked my heart if it could please infuse my soul with a more generous perspective on my mind's workings. Instead of thinking that I was a failure, could I perhaps accept that I am only a human being--and a normal one, at that?
Elizabeth GilbertRead
And when you sense a faint potentiality for happiness after such dark times you must grab onto the ankles of that happiness and not let go until it drags you face-first out of the dirt - this is not selfishness, but obligation. You were given life; it is your duty to find something beautiful within life no matter how slight.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilling yearnings.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
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