In case any of you didn't know, the film adaptation of "Eat Pray Love" finally opened in theaters today. Having been counting down the days until its release, I didn't need to force myself to wake up at an earlier than normal time this morning to make it to the 10am showing. Now I should pause for a moment and let you know that I am notorious for never finishing a book, even if it's unbelievably good. So having only read the first 10 pages of "Eat Pray Love", I went into the theater almost completely ignorant of what I was about to see. I only say almost because I knew I was going to end up crying. Even watching the preview, which coincidentally features my Moving-to-Boston song, Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine, makes me tear up.
There is a moment when Liz, the main character, is in Rome and is told that she must live life with piacere nel niente- pleasure in anything. This line really hit home with me and convinced me even more that I am meant to live in Europe. Taking pleasure in anything isn't exactly something most Americans would call a virtue. For aren't we suppose to stay busy and become productive machines?
With unschooling for two years, I learned how to take pleasure in anything. To most, what I did with my days was considered a waste of time and I heard on several occasions from different people, that they couldn't take pleasure in just anything and definitely couldn't go that long being by themselves and in their own thoughts. While I love to be social and believe it is a huge importance in people's lives, I find that being alone and doing "nothing" just as important.
I like to think that in these last two years, I have really gotten to know myself. I know the way I think and learn and the type of people and experiences I want to have in my life. But most importantly, I'm no longer afraid to be that person. When you have little to no friends and social interactions as I had, you stop looking for validation from others and look to yourself as being the beautiful, worthy, and capable person you are.
This blog isn't meant to be a praise to Unschooling, by any means, but just it's lessons of loving the simple things in life.
I have a new game that I've made up since moving to Boston, though I don't have a name for it yet. It's what I spent my day, today, playing.
After seeing the movie in Harvard Square this morning, I asked myself what I should do with the rest of my day. Of course with it being lunchtime and having just seen the delicious food of Italy on a 50 foot screen, my first thought was to grab a slice from Pinnochio's, Harvards best place for pizza. After devouring my slice of juicy tomato basil, I began to walk in the direction of the train. "Where shall I go?" I asked, and snap in an instant, "the North End" came to mind. For those of you who don't know, the North End is Boston's Little Italy and with it's tall brick buildings and narrow streets and gelatarias on every corner, you think for a moment that you are in Italy.
I'm really in love with Italy, if haven't already caught that.
After walking down the cobblestone streets and people watching, I decided to rest at a small secluded park. It was there that I closed my eyes and meditated for a few minutes. I blocked out all the sounds and just sat cooling off from the slight breeze against my face. Once I opened my eyes, I quickly remembered that I hadn't yet bought any gelato! I chose the popular gelataria on the main drag and quickly noticed the mint chocolate chip, that is after I noticed the cute guy serving the gelato.
Within a few minutes, I was scraping the sides of the cup for the last drops of the cool mint flavor. Feeling content with my tummy full of pizza and gelato, I grew tired and planned my leave for home, first making a stop at the outdoor produce market just outside the North End.
I also won $10 after getting the urge to buy a scratch ticket.
In much shorter terms, my game is to go out, have nothing planned, and just follow your intuition and see where life takes you that day.
So with all this said, I invite you to put aside some time in your life and take pleasure in anything. Turn your phones and MP3 players off and instead listen to the sound of birds chirping or the wind blowing through the trees. Forget any appointments or overdue bills that may be stressing you and live in the moment and love where you are.
I'm beginning to feel excited for what tomorrow might bring me because I have, yet again, nothing planned... ;)
Sending you all love!
