A QUOTABLE QUOTE

I really liked this quote from a very good read Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and thought that it was worth mentioning in a blog topic, perhaps about love or the like, but I haven't been much in a lovey-dovey mood of late (and just decided that I don't really want to be). But for the sake of having it posted -- which it rightfully deserves given the enlightenment it has given me about this so-called 'soulmate' -- I'll have it here anyway.

"...Your problem is you don't understand what that word means. People think a soulmate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soulmate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soulmate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soulmate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soulmates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. And thank God for it. Your problem is, you just can't let this one go. It's over, Groceries. David's purpose was to shake you up, drive you out of that marriage that you needed to leave, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light could get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you had to transfrom your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master and beat it. That was his job, and he did great, but now it's over. Problem is, you can't accept that this relationship had a real short shelf life. You're like a dog at the dump, baby -- you're just lickin' at an empty tin can, trying to get more nutrition out of it. And if you're not careful, that can's gonna get stuck on your snout forever and make your life miserable. So drop it." -- Richard from Texas

I never would have thought a soulmate to be likened with a mirror had I not read this valuable piece of advice given to Groceries (that was how Richard from Texas called Liz back when they were still in this unnamed ashram in India). A soulmate, simply put, reflects what's inside us. He or she does not always correspond to someone of romantic value. And I guess it's all true, after all...