Gwenyth Paltrow thinks you need to GET IT TOGETHER by the time you're 40.
Trying to find the attribution for this gorge illustration of GOOP as Margot Tannenbaum. If I can't find it will take it down.
This past week was Yom Kippur- the Jewish day of atonement. I'm not Jewish and I know that cultural appropriation is the new favorite critique to levy at folks, but I think it's a great concept regardless of your religious tradition.*
Because atonement is all about taking stock of where you are on your journey. For Jews who observe it, they basically fast (no food no water) for 25 hours and finish up the day at services where they stand the entire time and then pray to atone for their wrongdoings.
This is an annual holiday.
And I think it's great! One friend who described Yom Kippur for herself likened it to an annual death because she is taking stock of her thoughts and actions much like the Christian image of standing at the gates of heaven.
For me, when I take stock of my own behavior and thoughts over the past year, some memories bring up shame, some sadness, some contrition while others bring up amazing pride, joy and contentment. It's healthy to have a look back because it's a great way to decide to make changes and chart a new course.
Now, you might be wondering what this could possibly have to do with Gwyneth Paltrow.
Well, in a recent interview for the latest issue of Elle magazine, GP (or GOOP as the ladies at GoFugYourself.com call her), let 'er rip with another whammy of a quote.
“If you haven’t taken all of life’s incredible knocks and disappointments and used them to become a fully integrated, self-expressing person by the time you’re 40, then what can I tell you?”
Reading this made me LOLOLOL. A lot.
I think it's great that she's advocating for becoming a fully integrated, self-expressing person. But the whole bit about "by the time you're 40" is hilarious. As if there's a time stamped expiration date on your journey here on this earth. There's a secret that even Gwyneth doesn't know yet...
My loves: the journey doesn't end.
There's no there to get to.
After every big aha, healing, clearing, upleveling, expansion, reconciliation and Yom Kippur comes another one.
You will never get your shit together.
And neither will Gwyneth.
That's what makes this life experience so freaking amazing. And humbling. And rich. And challenging. And wonderful.
My prayer for you today is that you continue to take stock, re-set your course and attempt enlightenment and getting it all together. I also pray that you never feel that you are done cooking.
Some years ago I remember asking my amazing friend Naomi Pabst, "Will it ever get easier????" I was, of course, referring to this process of becoming integrated and self-expressing.
She smiled and said, "No my dear. It won't. But you will get stronger."
* I myself identify as a Christian mystic. I like all kinds of services and appreciate ritual.