To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow - th... - Elizabeth Gilbert, Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage

"Desiring another person is perhaps the most risky endeavor of all. As soon as you want somebody—really want him—it is as though you have taken a surgical needle and sutured your happiness to the skin of that person, so that any separation will now cause a lacerating injury."

"I had always been taught that the pursuit of happiness was my natural (even national) birthright. It is the emotional trademark of my culture to seek happiness. Not just any kind of happiness, either, but profound happiness, even soaring happiness. And what could possibly bring a person more soaring happiness than romantic love."

"To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow - this is a human offering that can border on miraculous."

"I was a veritable Johnny Appleseed of grand expectations, and all I reaped for my trouble was a harvest of bitter fruit."

"To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow - this is a human offering that can border on miraculous."