Thoughts & writings: Liz Gilbert on Jack Gilbert: “We must risk delight.”

Liz Gilbert
Liz Gilbert

You know Liz Gilbert from her book Eat, Love, Pray.

You may know her from her wonderful TED talk about genius & how we ruin it (check it here.)

Here’s a new way to get to know her: She writes a wonderful piece in The Atlantic (published a couple of days ago, here) celebrating her memory of writer & poet Jack Gilbert (unrelated), who wrote of the way we can look for (and find!) what she calls a “stubborn gladness” in the reversals & difficulties we our everyday lives. She cites his lines:

We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure,
but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have
the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless
furnace of this world.

And more. Here’s the essay. You’ll be glad where it leaves your heart. Thanks, Liz.