"Faith is walking face-first and full-speed into the dark. If we truly knew all the answers in advance as to the meaning of life and the nature of God and the destiny of our souls, our belief would not be a leap of faith and it would not be a courageous act of humanity; it would just be... a prudent insurance policy."
This quote is from Elizabeth Gilbert’s New York Times Best-Selling memoir “ Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia.” The book, which is now a film starring Julia Roberts, is about Gilbert’s experiences traveling across the world after her divorce. Gilbert said, "I wanted to explore the art of pleasure in Italy, the art of devotion in India and, in Indonesia, the art of balancing the two."
The book is comprised of three specific purposes, as detailed in its title: eating, praying, and loving. Gilbert’s time she spent in Italy falls into the “eat” category. Her four months in India cover the “pray” topic and the final duration of her journey in Bali, Indonesia, where she falls in love, is of course the “love" category. Each of the three components is important and have made the book the success it is today. I would like to focus on one in particular: pray.
Praying can be defined as a form of communication and/or connection to a God,
higher being, or some type of spirit. Prayer can be done individually or collectively, privately or publicly, and aloud or internally. Just like people, the act of praying comes in all shapes and sizes. Some prayers are long and very detailed while others can be short and simple. Some have gestures added to them such as clasped hands, bowed heads, closed eyes and/or kneeling. Others may involve using specific types of words or customs. Although the location, the time, and the manner in which prayers are conducted vary from person to person, one thing stays the same: the faith.
Faith, or believing , is the basis of all prayers. In order for someone to pray to a God, higher power, or spirit, he or she must first believe that it exists. While the amount may fluctuate at times, having faith, even a small portion, is what counts.
So now I wonder, what or whom do you put your faith in? Faith not only comes into practice with spirituality, it is a necessity for everyday life. Having faith in the love of your family and friends, faith in your talents and abilities, faith in the fact that your children will grow up to become successful: these are all an important practices of life. Faith can be that extra “push” we sometimes need after a trying day or that ray of light in a dark situation. Faith in higher powers assure us that we are not alone. Faith in others helps build trust and faith in ourselves allows our self-confidence to grow.
Believing in something or someone can yield positive results, as long as it is the right person or thing. Some people attach their faith to money, but when the money is gone their confidence goes with it. Or a job, perhaps, but if they lose their job their faith can be lost too. Gilbert attaches her faith to God; others attach theirs to their families, and even themselves. Only you can decide what or whom you believe and put your confidence in. Be cautious in this decision though because, remember, your faith will follow whatever you attach it to.
Read more about Eat, Pray, Love at:
http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm
Shala Marks is a summer intern with EmpowHER. Her faith is attached to God, always.