When Elizabeth Gilbert wrote her memoir “Eat Pray Love” in 2006, she inspired a film starring Julia Roberts, tours to the locations she visited all over the world, and countless readers who were feeling just as she did all those years ago.
In February the book celebrated its tenth anniversary and on April 6th, a new book entitled “Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It” was released with an introduction penned by Elizabeth herself. The new book shares true stories of nearly fifty fans that were inspired to change their lives after reading “Eat Pray Love.”
I spoke to Lisann Valentin, a former lawyer who was featured in the book, to hear about the new journey that began after reading The New York Times Bestseller.
What made you pick up a copy of “Eat Pray Love?”
I was ready for a change. I was trying to figure out why I was so unhappy with this life that I’d created, that I’d prayed for, that I’d pursued relentlessly. I needed to find answers.
Since lawyers tend to do their research, I got a group of friends together and we began a book club (kind of seems like a random step to take, I know). The first book that was suggested to me was “Eat Pray Love.” Never in a million years did I think this story would give me such an “aha” moment, but that’s why they call it Divine Intervention. God knew that the only way to get me to listen to the calling in my heart was to put the story of another courageous woman before my eyes.
What did Elizabeth’s story mean to you?
It taught me that at any point in your life, you can turn it all around.
Elizabeth’s story is one of courage. Why was this important? Well, the first example of courage in my life is (and always has been) my mom. My mother is ambitious, steadfast and sees every commitment through. She came from Puerto Rico to New York as a young girl; she put herself through school; raised her daughters and provided for her parents; and ultimately retired as a computer engineer. She’s my hero. And she followed a straight path to get her where she needed to go. I wanted to make her proud. I wanted to be as courageous as she has always been.
When I made the commitment to become an attorney, I felt that I couldn’t veer off the path, even though every beat of my heart was screaming that this life was not for me. I didn’t want to let her down, even though she encouraged me to quit if that would make me happy. But I couldn’t just give it all up…could I?
How has your life changed?
I discovered that the answer to that question – whether I could give all of that up – was a big fat YES. It was actually more like that inner voice was yelling “what are you waiting for?!”
Once I found the courage to balance my rational mind with my irrational heart, my entire life changed completely. Right after I resigned from my job, it’s like the Universe responded with a thumbs up. I’m doing what I love for a living and I’m telling stories that matter.
I’ve since worked with Arturo Castro (Broad City) on the Comedy Central series Alternatino. I’ve worked with Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez (Jane The Virgin) in the short film Since I Laid Eyes. I’m proud to be a part of the new media series Undetectable, which seeks to normalize the perception of people living with HIV. And after my story was published in Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It, I was featured on Good Morning America. Seriously, God can move mountains. All we need to do is take the first step in faith.
What advice do you have for anyone who will read Eat, Pray, Love and find inspiration in it?
Whether you’re reading the adventure that is Eat Pray Love or the accounts of courage told in Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It you’ll find that the stories are connected by the idea that every moment is an opportunity for you to live YOUR best life. There are no rules. There is no time limit. Anything is possible. My life is proof of that.”
