The Heliotropic Woman: Elizabeth Gilbert
a flower in full bloom
Heliotropic: (adj.) turning or growing toward the light.
a seed takes root
Three years ago . . .
My girlfriend and I were frolicking the streets of Portland, Oregon when we (well, mostly she) decided to pop inside a quaint little consignment shop, Found on Fremont.
This place had knick-knacks, whatchamacallits, and thingamajigs galore.
In this everything shop, I perused countless books. I touched ancient artifacts. I held precious stones. I inspected musty blankets, antique plates and bowls and mugs. I tried on hand-me-down clothes, jackets, and hats. I surveyed each aisle, studied every shelf, and contemplated taking something home with me. However, I wasn’t entirely sold on any of it. At least not until I saw a small worn paperback book nestled on top of a vintage mahogany dining table.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert . . .
I’ve heard good things, I wonder how much?
I flipped open the book and scanned for the price — $3.
Three dollars?! Sold.
After hours inside, that book was the only item I left with.
The book remained shut during my Oregon adventure, making a promise to myself that I’d read it when I got home. After making the safe travel back to San Diego, I pulled it out of my suitcase and found a special spot for it snuggled securely in between two others on the bookshelf.
It has been collecting dust on my bookshelf ever since.
That was my very first subtle exposure to the nearly invisible work of Elizabeth Gilbert.
a young shoot rises
I crossed paths with Elizabeth Gilbert for the second time when my good friend Aaron told me about her Magic Lessons podcast, which he enjoyed listening to.
Usually, when someone or something crosses my path twice, I pay attention.
Aaron also happened to be my direct report at work. We’d check in at least once a week and we always made sure to talk about our personal lives before diving into the daunting professional one, which usually had a great deal to do with our shared reading and writing interests. During our weekly calls, I discovered a great deal about Aaron — his hobbies and passions and values — I came to know and trust him as the friend he is today.
He told me about a particular episode where Liz extended such warmth, compassion, and empathy towards her guest of honor and how he was deeply moved because of it. I could hear the conviction in his voice. The buzz about Liz was shaping up to be true.
Now, that definitely sounds like someone I can get behind.
Later, that very same day I listened to the entire episode.
I listened closely and carefully. I listened to her listening. I listened to her self-assured voice and to her confidently guiding the conversation gracefully from her heart.
When the episode expired, I listened to it again.
Afterward, my soul felt as if it was cuddled underneath a smooth, warm, fuzzy blanket.
From that moment on, I made it a point to lean into learning how to be more like that, more like Liz — more empathetic, more compassionate, and much more forgiving — especially toward myself.
I have so much to learn from this woman.
After only listening to that episode twice, I trusted her . . . like my favorite aunt who knew all my secrets keeping them safely locked inside her impenetrable vault.
A Magic Lesson, indeed.
It was because of that specific episode and Aaron’s trusted recommendation that I began to explore the expansive, beautiful, and extremely colorful world of all things Elizabeth Gilbert.
Listen to that special podcast episode right here.
stems leaves and branches intertwine
My next serendipitous encounter with Liz occurred while I was rampantly consuming self-help books like they were bags of Skittles, eventually having to take a break before making myself sick.
One memorable self-improvement book that tasted better than all the rest, was Liz’s, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear.
I listened to this one on Audible, twice.
Which reminds me, I’m due for another visit.
There was absolutely something magical about her delicate voice and the way her soft, safe, and encouraging tone rang inside my ears, dissolving all regrets from the past and any worries of the future, chapter after chapter.
Her words touched me deeply, lifted my spirits, and became the kindling for my creative flame, revealing to me that I was the only one who held the keys to unlock my gifts. Her kindhearted words motivated me to just start. Her gentle guidance nudged me to embark on the journey of sharing my story with others.
After giving that book two thorough listens, I felt a tiny bit closer to Liz and to my inner creativity.
That book was a major catalyst for me to express my heart. Inspired by her benevolent energy, I began to scribble some words down on paper. Over time, someone might have even mistaken them for poetry. I gradually mustered enough courage to share those words with a select group of friends at work, eventually opening my heart enough to include everyone during our occasional company-wide meetings.
I’ll make the bold proclamation here — because of Liz — I am writing these words today.
nourished by water and sunlight divine
All thanks to Liz, after this new creative download and spiritual upgrade, I have been on a bit of a book binge . . .
But, before I get ahead of myself and share the three books I read back to back to back, I want to interject with another story about my good friends, Aaron and Liz.
If it wasn’t already apparent, Aaron has been a pillar of influence in my life and he adores Elizabeth Gilbert dearly.
He had the opportunity to meet her earlier this year and I wouldn’t do his story any justice by telling it myself, so I reached out and asked if he’d be willing to collaboratively share instead. We hopped on a Zoom call, chatted through the minor details and as a result — voila . . .
~ Aaron Meets Liz ~
In April of 2023, I had the privilege to meet in person, author Elizabeth Gilbert. After what seemed like a lengthy hiatus from public appearance, I came across an announcement of Gilbert’s Canadian tour. On the list of venues was the beautiful, Victorian influenced city of Victoria, British Columbia, a five-hour journey from my back doorstep. I opted for the option to purchase the VIP tickets, which I almost passed up on account of my frugality. However, my wife nudged me otherwise. The extra expenditure gave me a third-row seat and early entry into the venue for a meet and greet with one of my favorite authors.
I nervously stood in line, a minority among a throng of women—not the slightest bit uncomfortable. As an aside, I spent ten years in the hair industry, a female-dominated field. So, in a way, I felt at home. Felt like I was killing time in the break room of the salon again, waiting for my client's color to process as the chatter of female friend’s voices stirred around me.
Elizabeth Gilbert walked onto the stage to a round of applause. With each person subtracted from the line, I became more and more nervous. The following words suddenly echoed in my head, “Aaron, don’t expect too much when meeting your heroes, they may let you down.” Ironically, these words came from the very person I was poised to meet that evening. Not directly to me, but through a second-hand conversation (a podcast or one of her books) in which Gilbert cautioned to not expect too much from the ones you look up to because sometimes you may be let down. I chuckled. This sentiment calmed my nerves.
I’ve never been one to hold another under the limelight. In my opinion and experience, to put others on a pedestal seems to be a tricky thing and only leads to self-comparison. I have done enough of this in my lifetime. However, when you’re presented the opportunity to come face-to-face with a person whose work you admire, do it.
I stepped forward with an enormous smile. I had little to no control over my facial muscles, the energy in the room just kind of took hold, it kindly ushered me forward.
“Hello Liz Gilbert,” I said. As if she were an old familiar friend.
“Well, hello,” she said with ease. “And you are?”
I told her my name. She asked if I would like a hug.
I said, “Yes, that would be great.”
Then, we hugged. All of my nerves washed away. All the words I did not prepare poured forth. I felt not an ounce of nervousness or unease. The room buzzed around me and the background of unfamiliar faces just past the front of the stage melted away into a Hunter S. Thompson-like backdrop, blurry but not the slightest bit estranged.
I thanked her for creating her book, Big Magic. I thanked her for creating her short-lived podcast, Magic Lessons. I let her know that both gave me permission to call myself a writer, and since, I have found the courage and persistence to complete my first novel.
“Thank you,” she responded. A hand clasped across the area where her heart resides. “What is your book about?”
Later that evening, I recalled this distinct moment in realizing that she asked this seemingly simple question to a person who had about a hundred other people waiting behind them for their opportunity to experience her presence. A question that held the potential for a five-minute response. I did not give her such a lengthy answer. In a nutshell, I told her what my book was about. She asked if I was working on my next one. I said not yet, but I am generating ideas. I just know it probably won’t be a murder mystery again. It was too dark of a place for me to be in.
“It doesn’t have to be,” she said. Her eyes were stern. Kind, but stern.
She encouraged me to get to work. With a smile, I said I will. We took a few photos together, exchanged another hug, she thanked me and I made my move to exit the stage as she began to position her body to meet whoever was next. As I moved past her, she turned and brushed a gentle hand on my shoulder. I faced her thinking that maybe I had forgotten my jacket, having not picked it up off the floor after I tossed it to the side of the area rug when we positioned ourselves on the stage to take photos.
“You know, your next novel doesn’t have to be so dark,” she said with a gentle smile.
These words struck my chest. The little granular spot where only the perfect type of energy can pass to penetrate your matter and drive directly into the center of your heart. I felt light. I felt free.
What she said was: “Your next novel doesn’t have to be so dark.”
What I felt was: “Life doesn’t have to be so dark.”
I floated off the stage, found my seat, and parked there until the talk began. For the next forty-five minutes, I watched from my third-row seat every person who drifted in line behind me take the same path I had. I watched each person step forward with laughter. I watched Elizabeth Gilbert return each person's laughter with even more laughter and an ensuing smile all around. Watched her hug each and every person she met that evening, giving each of them—each of us—one hundred percent of her dedicated and exclusive attention. Not for one second did she peer down into the line of people waiting their turn. Not once did she glance over the shoulder of the person in front of her to see what was next. She spent every waking second engaged, listening, focused, and laughing. Lots and lots of laughing. A presence, I thought, that can only be developed over years and years of practice.
It's true, I admire Elizabeth Gilbert for her talent. In my opinion, her ability to string words together, to create a brilliant canvas of intertwining verbs, nouns, and adjectives, which seem to dance around each other with a lightness and flawlessness, is simply the best. But as I sat observing the interactions between her and the many people in this auditorium, I recognized the inspiration that sprang forth was deeper than that of mere admiration for her ability to orchestrate a symphony of words. Rather, the inspiration I witnessed and felt was that of love, presence, genuine happiness and authenticity. Her ability to hand over the personal commodity of time, attention, love and compassion to mere strangers deserves a fair amount of respect. I believe we could all aspire to be capable of interacting this way with one another and in general society. We do not need to idolize, rather, we can simply aspire to be. Aspire to be more kind, more loving, more compassionate.
Thank you so much — this is merely a sliver of the love Elizabeth Gilbert brings to this world.
buds unveil their grace
Now, back to my book binge barrage . . .
But first, let me wipe the tears from my eyes.
The Signature of All Things ~ This was my first adventure into her wonderful world of fiction.
Serendipity at work had a lot to do with this book landing in my hands.
My workplace held a special charm for a number of reasons, and one aspect was its nurturing environment for creativity. Inspired by this, a few of us took the initiative to launch a quarterly fiction book club.
We were each tasked to bring one fiction book we wanted to read and we all dropped our selections in a hat. I thought this book club would have been the perfect chance to peel Eat, Pray, Love from my shelf and a great opportunity to share it with others, but since this book club was for fiction only, I decided to bring The Signature of All Things to the table and push back the memoir.
This book, seemingly chosen at random (although nothing feels truly random, in my opinion!), became the first selection of our book club.
We slowly and intentionally chose to read this book in three segments, over the course of three months, meeting once a month to dissect and discuss each section, which possessed a unique power of its own, learning more than I ever could by myself.
Liz writes with every color of the rainbow, and some. Her profound vocabulary and understanding of history and the human experience had me weeping tears of joy and sorrow throughout the emotional landscape of this story. The intricate web of metaphors woven throughout this book made it delightful to read. The way this novel was written has altered the shape of my writing prowess.
This story taught me that life in the 1800s can be just as complex as it is today and that anger and rage often fuel the creation of empires. I also learned that true love is both intoxicatingly enchanting and painfully mysterious, and that nature and humans aren’t as separate as we think.
a flower in full embrace
City of Girls ~ This diamond of historical fiction came at another one of Aaron’s recommendations. I trusted him wholeheartedly when he declared, “It was the best book I ever read, dude.”
Add to cart, buy now, and . . . delivered.
This book found its way to my front porch quicker than I could say (and finish) The Signature of All Things. Meanwhile, as I clicked buy now, I could sense Eat, Pray, Love behind my back quietly glaring at me, judging. Then came the faint and wistful whisper from the shelf, “Remember me?”
City of Girls was told from the unique perspective of a content and vivacious woman in her 90s reflecting on her fast-paced and fashionably dramatic life in the world of theater.
This one had me up late at night, entranced page after page after exhilarating page — following the carefree Vivian around, through the bustling town of New York City during the 1940s, I couldn't wait to flip through each page, rooting for the aspiring seamstress to wiggle out of the chaos she constantly found herself stuck in.
What I gained from this book was a deeper insight into the essence of true love, human connection, and our innate desire for pleasure, leaving my spirit with a newfound sense of freedom. Ultimately, taking away the notion that embracing life's adventures, learning from mistakes, and embodying one's authentic self are crucial elements in finding fulfillment and everlasting happiness.
petals unfold in splendid bloom
Eat, Pray, Love ~ Coming back full circle, to where it all began.
It was time . . . I was finally ready to pull her off the shelf, gently wipe off the dust, and give her the quality time she deserved.
Wait, it’s not here! Where did she go?!
Thoroughly sweeping every title on every shelf of my bookcase, nothing.
I guess I’ll have to go to bed tonight without Elizabeth Gilbert . . .
Then I looked over at my girlfriend’s nightstand and there she was, dancing as free as a starfish in the ocean, happy to be off the shelf. I asked if she had started it yet and she answered, “Not yet . . .”
Perfect.
Eat, Pray, Love was the last book of the trio I devoured — her memoir.
This one really hit home for me. Not because I was once a divorced woman traveling the world in search of herself, but because I also took an entire year off from relationships, to find myself and become the happiest version of Me. She unfolds her remarkable story with levels of intimacy, vulnerability, and authenticity many spend a lifetime seeking.
After reading this I feel even closer to Liz.
How could I not love this woman and her writing?
Fun facts:
I read this aloud to my girlfriend every night until we finished the book.
This was my girlfriend’s first exposure to Liz and she cherished every word.
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but it’s already on the schedule for our next date night.
fruits emerge from nature's loom
I love reading, if it wasn’t obvious.
I prefer the physical version of most books. The satisfaction I get from holding the book and the texture of turning the page is unmatched in any other form. However, I do really enjoy it when an author narrates their own audiobook, and I was spoiled to have Liz in my ears for hours, with Big Magic.
So, before I even opened one of her physical books and started reading, I watched her TED Talk.
The one with 21 million views. 21,000,000, whaaat?! Mind-blowing!
That way, when I read her book, it wasn’t my voice I heard reading the words, it was hers — her tender, familiar, and reassuring voice. It was a way for me to intimately connect to her storytelling feeling as though she was there with me on my reading voyage.
In this TED Talk, she revisits the antiquated idea of a genius external to the individual, a force that works with the artist. Adopting this fresh, yet very ancient perspective can take the pressure off and alleviate the intense feelings of personal responsibility and fear every creator faces.
Her message encourages us to keep going and keep showing up in our creative pursuits, acknowledging the inevitable difficulties while embracing the idea that creativity is not solely an individual burden but a collaborative effort between the artist and the mysterious forces we call inspiration.
We totally got this!
seed production commences its quest
Now, onto the subject of Substack.
When I first created my Substack account, I hopped aboard the Substack submarine and submerged myself into this massive online ocean I never knew existed. When I safely and swiftly came back to the surface, I was pleasantly thrilled to discover, as of recently — Liz writes on here.
Every single week!
After immersing myself in her publication, Letters From Love with Elizabeth Gilbert, I quickly realized that we share a similar vision.
A vision wherein every soul is deserving of love without conditions, and where Love inherently resides within us, awaiting our gentle excavation to reveal its luminous presence.
I hold the belief that as a collective, we can unite in the spirit of love and healing and it starts right here, with us, and the conversations we are having with each other — and more importantly — with ourselves.
I want nothing more in this world than to join hands with anyone and everyone who is ready and committed to carrying forth the timeless message of Love.
“I believe there is an ocean of warm, affectionate, and outrageously unconditional love available to us all — and that it is conveniently accessible from within. I don’t believe anyone is excluded from this ocean of love; it is only a question of learning how to hear it, how to feel it, how to trust it.” ~ Liz Gilbert
Every Sunday Liz sends out a newsletter to her community — who she calls her Lovelies — in which she shares one of her Letters From Love, and she guides us toward writing one of our own. Most of the time, she even features special guest appearances sharing their letters too.
And because I’ve familiarized myself with all of them, picking a favorite would be like asking a parent to pick his favorite kid — they’re all my favorites. Each one of them is equally as impactful as the next, all harnessing the power to open our hearts.
“For over a quarter of a century, I have written daily letters to myself from love and it has been the most transformative spiritual practice of my life. I have come to believe that there is a magnificent intelligence in the universe that is kind beyond measure, and that only seeks to know us and be known by us. Einstein said, ‘The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.’ How you decide to answer that question will impact every moment of your existence. (Hint: Einstein believed that he lived in a friendly universe. So do I.)” ~ Liz Gilbert
Holy wow! Daily for over 25 years takes impressive to a whole new level. If she can do it every single day, I think it might be worth a shot.
Here is Liz’s recent newsletter.
I will leave you with a few last words and a Letter From Love that I wrote.
seeds take flight their destiny manifest
Thank you will never cut it, but it’s usually a great place to start.
~ I want to give a great big hug and a THANK YOU to you ~ for your recommendations and influence, for opening up your heart, and for contributing your precious time, energy, and love. ~ And another giant hug and a THANK YOU to you ~ for blossoming into the flower that you’ve become. THANK YOU for turning toward the light, for being a lighthouse, and for shining that light wherever you go. THANK YOU for saying yes to this heart work and THANK YOU for helping to ignite my (and others’) creativity, for your profound support around influencing my writing, shifting my beliefs, and shaping my behavior. Lastly, THANK YOU for sharing your gifts, for leading with wisdom, and for being the Love you want to see in the world.And one more special shoutout to whoever donated Eat, Pray, Love to Found on Fremont — thank you.
For all things Liz Gilbert — here is her official website.
On February 22, 2024 — please join me in San Diego for An Evening with Elizabeth Gilbert.
Liz ~ my lovely ~ as you read this please know that You are Love.
Dear Love ~ What would you have me know today?
Little Mr. Sunshine ~ 🌞
I’ll start with letting you know just how proud I am of you. You truly have come a long long way & I know it hasn’t been easy. I’ve been with you every step of the way, even in your darkest of times. I’ve been here the whole time & I’m never leaving ~ ever!
I’m here for you today & guiding you safely out of pain. I know pain is never fun. I know you do your best to avoid pain. I know you feel frustrated when the pain returns. I’m telling you it’s okay ~ you’re okay ~ you’ll be okay. The pain you feel is temporary, here to serve you & your highest good. If it’s confusing, let it be confusing. If you’re angry, you’re allowed to feel upset. In fact, you’re allowed to feel however you feel. Your feelings are valid & they’re here, we’re here, to help you move through them & release them.
The pain you feel, I feel it too. The emotions you feel, I feel them too. Everything you feel, I feel it too. We’re in this together & know that it’s never more than you can handle. It’s here to show you something. It’s here to provide a lesson, to give you more wisdom, to show you the miracle we call healing. It’s a gift & it’s only for you. Remember, everything is perfect just as it is. Remember, you are protected, you are safe, you are seen, you are loved.
YOU ARE LOVE ! ! !
I’ll end by saying this . . .
Keep smiling, keep shining, keep showing up. Keep me in your thoughts & in your heart & in your pocket. Keep me in your dreams & in your prayers & wishes. Keep being you & know I am always around ~ I LOVE YOU 💕❤️
Thank you ~ I love you ~ See you soon
🙏🏼🫶🏼🦜
Wyatt, as always, incredible piece. Thank you for asking me to contribute. It was an absolute honor. I had wrote what I gave you a few months ago and I had never planned on it to see the light of day because I didn’t know how to present it. It needed some edits but I am happy it found light. The universe works in interesting ways.
It was on my heart to read the humble parrot tonight. It’s gratifying to see how Liz influenced your path and your message of love, Wyatt. Being blessed to know you and call you a friend it makes so much sense.
It was beautiful to hear how Aaron guided you to Liz and to hear again about his amazing experience of meeting but in a different light. Love the pictures!
I have ‘Big Magic’ on hold and plan to watch the Ted Talk.
Thank you Wyatt