'How wild it was, to let it be"

CP and I spent this past weekend in Cincinnti with the Rooneys, and we couldn't have asked for a better weekend filled with a mix of relaxation, delicious eats, and wonderful conversation. On Saturday afternoon while the men headed off to the pub, Mere and I went to go see the movie Wild, which is based on the popular book by Cheryl Strayed who's played by Reese Witherspoon in the movie. While the movie wasn't a fast-paced thriller, there were a lot of things that resonated with me throughout Strayed's journey. Part of her desire to hike the Pacific Crest Trail has to do with the loss of her devoted and abused mother who she still hasn't fully grieved the loss of. Cheryl also grapples with other personal demons that have left her wanting more out of her life.

It's funny because in so many ways her journey seems unrealistic for someone like me. I have a job, a husband, family, friends, etc etc. Yet, the movie did sort of leave me thinking that these types of self-discovery journeys aren't so wild. They're pretty darn awesome when it comes down to it. That's not to say that you're going to read about me picking up and leaving to spend three months in the desert by myself tomorrow, but I think the movie served a greater purpose of reminding me that it's never too late to take care of yourself in the way that you need to.

Here are some other quotes from the movie that I really loved and sunk into....

"“What if I forgave myself? I thought. What if I forgave myself even though I'd done something I shouldn't have? What if I was a liar and a cheat and there was no excuse for what I'd done other than because it was what I wanted and needed to do? What if I was sorry, but if I could go back in time I wouldn't do anything differently than I had done? What if I'd actually wanted to [sleep with] every one of those men? What if heroin taught me something? What if yes was the right answer instead of no? What if what made me do all those things everyone thought I shouldn't have done was what also had got me here? What if I was never redeemed? What if I already was?” 

“I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me.” 

“I was amazed that what I needed to survive could be carried on my back. And, most surprising of all, that I could carry it.”