You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
Tis' better to live your own life imperfectly than to imitate someone else's perfectly.
Interpretation
What this quote means
It's more valuable to live authentically, even with flaws, than to perfectly mimic others.
This quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity over imitation. It suggests that living one's own life, even if it is imperfect, is far more fulfilling and valuable than trying to copy the idealized life of another person. The pursuit of one's unique path, with all its imperfections, leads to genuine happiness and self-discovery, whereas imitation can stifle individuality and personal growth.
Themes
AuthenticityImperfectImitationLifeIndividuality
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about self-acceptance and living authentically.
More from Elizabeth Gilbert
All quotes βDo 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.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
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