Eat Pray Love

This afternoon, I splurged and went to the movies to see Eat, Pray, Love. I'll be honest, I wasn't thrilled about it and some of the messages it portrayed. However, there were some aspects that sent me thinking about my journey to Rochester. The movie is centered around a woman who wakes up one day and decides that she no longer wants to be married and so she gets divorced. She then gets into a fling with a younger man and discovers that what she really needs is balance in life. She runs away for a years journey in Italy, India, and Bali. Unfortunately, the movie portrays it as a good practice to run away and find yourself whenever life gets hard. Personally, I feel that sometimes we find ourselves most when we engage in the difficult, everyday life struggles.

Anyhow, the movie focuses on the relationships created along the woman's journey which help her achieve, "balance". I did however really like this theme. I've seen it most in my journey in Rochester. Now, I did not necessarily come to Rochester to run away for a while. I have a distinct purpose for being here to get my MSW. But I find so much truth in how God has created us each for relationship. Not only relationship with each other, but with Him. And sometimes the two relationships go hand in hand. I don't want to be on a journey that is solely about me, like in the movie. I want to be on a journey that is about other people. Every person has a story. They have unimaginable wisdom and can teach us so much. I want to look at each person, and treat them as if they have so much to teach me. I want to dig deeper with people and hear their experiences with God. I want to be passionate about those around me. But most of all, I do not want to write anybody off. I never want anyone to feel like they have to prove themselves to me. Authentic. Genuine. Real. I hope these are the kinds of relationships I can continue to foster here in Rochester and beyond.

Right now I have a bucket list that I am trying to complete. I get excited about each new adventure. But I hope each adventure is less about me, and more about truly taking in the blessings of God in each adventure. Big or Small. I want to be focused on what God is doing in every moment and I want to think about my hopes and dreams, less.

What would it look like, if we saw each person as valuable? I don't just mean, being respectful to everyone. I mean....what if we tried to truly get to know everyone. What if we didn't immediately judge or label people? I know this is all a little too utopian, but I think it is worth thinking about. Jesus was that ultimate person who loved people regardless of their flaws. Believe me, I am a very flawed person myself. How humbling would it be to encounter people in everyday who just desire to listen, think, and pray for one another.

Anyways...those are just my thought processes after seeing the movie. I think the woman in the movie did not have to fly across the world to find balance. I think she just needed to be intentional about pursuing God and letting his love outpour into relationships around her.

Tomorrow: RASCAL FLATTS!!!!!!! This has been on my life to do list for a while. I'm glad I get the chance to do it tomorrow. I want others to experience God and I pray that He would somehow use a nobody like me to make even a dent of difference. God has given me a season of singleness and I hope that through this season......I will learn how to love like Christ and to take advantage of every opportunity!

That's all for now:)

Aud