You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
I still can’t say whether I ever want children….I can only say how I feel now--grateful to be on my own. I also know that I won’t go forth and have children just in case I might regret missing it later in life; I don’t think this is a strong enough motivation to bring more babies onto the earth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a reflection on the decision to have children, emphasizing gratitude for one's current life choices over societal pressures.
Elizabeth Gilbert reflects on her ambivalence toward parenthood, prioritizing her current sense of independence and gratitude over the fear of future regret. She suggests that making such a significant decision should not solely be based on potential future feelings, but rather on the present understanding of one's desires and motivations.
Themes
ParenthoodGratitudeIndependenceMotivationLife Choices
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on family planning at a community event.
More from Elizabeth Gilbert
All quotes →Do not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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