I often avoid “inspirational books” but I heard so many people I respect recommend Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear‘, that I decided to give it a go.
I found Gilbert’s story fascinating, especially her reflections and experiences after writing Eat, Pray, Love (which I haven’t read by the way) and ironically, found lots of inspirational quotes, so here they all are:
When I refer to “creative living,” I am speaking more broadly. I’m talking about living a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear.
(I love this quote, notice that “life driven MORE STRONGLY by curiosity than fear”, but not one that is void of fear.)
“I believe that enjoying your work with all your heart is the only truly subversive position left to take as a creative person these days.”
“I realized that it would be unreasonable and immature of me to expect that I should be allowed to have a voice of expression, but other people should not.”
“Your education isn’t over when they say it’s over; your education is over when you say it’s over.”
“What are you passionate enough about that you can endure the most disagreeable aspects of the work?”
(This is really what “loving your work” is about, not about enjoying every single moment but loving it overall.)
“I knew that conventional success would depend upon three factors—talent, luck, and discipline—and I knew that two of those three things would never be under my control.”
All quotes from Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear”.
Kindle Locations 86-87, 1094-1095, 1144-1145, 1319-1325, 1369-1370, 1685-1686 Bloomsbury Publishing. Kindle Edition.
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