We don't realize that, somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme self who is eternally at peace.
Elizabeth GilbertThere's a wonderful old Italian joke about a poor man who goes to church every day and prays before the statue of a great saint,'Dear saint-please, please, please...give me the grace to win the lottery.' This lament goes on for months. Finally the exasperated statue come to life, looks down at the begging man and says in weary disgust,'My son-please, please, please...buy a ticket.
Elizabeth GilbertAs I got older, I discovered that nothing within me cried out for a baby. My womb did not seem to have come equipped with that famously ticking clock. Unlike so many of my friends, I did not ache with longing whenever I saw an infant. (Though I did ache with longing, it is true, whenever I saw a good used-book shop)
Elizabeth GilbertI still canโt say whether I ever want childrenโฆ.I can only say how I feel now--grateful to be on my own. I also know that I wonโt go forth and have children just in case I might regret missing it later in life; I donโt think this is a strong enough motivation to bring more babies onto the earth.
Elizabeth Gilbert