WOMEN SHAPING HISTORY
Mariel Hemingway Speaks at the Oxonian Society
By Liza Young
Mariel Hemingway, talented Hollywood actress, granddaughter of the beloved writer Ernest Hemingway, and most recently author of books promoting health and well-being, recently appeared before an audience through an event coordinated by the Oxonian Society sharing insights regarding her latest book: Healthy Living from the Inside and Out: Every Woman’s Guide to Real Beauty, Renewed Energy, and a Radiant Life, the challenges of a career in Hollywood, and life as a Hemingway.
Growing up amidst the tumultuous scene of being in the Hemingway limelight and playing the role, as a child, of caretaker to her mother, who was ill with cancer, raised challenging times for Mariel who began to turn to very disciplined modes of food, exercise and practices as coping mechanisms, a practice which was further nurtured in Hollywood where the pressure to be thin and young never dies.
It was her husband’s diagnosis of cancer, for the second time, however, which created the epiphany for her latest book, which presents a 30 day program for one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being using four lifestyle practices: food, exercise, home and silence. In this insightful, comprehensive, and user-friendly book, Hemingway dedicates a chapter to each of these components, describing foods to avoid, and which optimize healthy approaches to exercise, debunking the myth that one must necessarily break a sweat to achieve desired results. The book goes beyond a “run-of-the-mill” exercise and diet approach; it is laden in psychology and Buddhist philosophy such as creating an oasis in one’s home where you can achieve comfort and relaxation, and finding time for silence, so as to quiet negative self perception. “The hardest people on ourselves are ourselves,” she explained at the recent meeting, but taking time for silence allows for actively overcoming self-demoting thoughts. “Create a sacred space in your home that’s just right for you…and it’s not just for women,” said Hemingway.
After beginning to follow these principles, Hemingway’s husband is now in remission from cancer, and more than that, he is healthy.
As for Mariel, she’s now comfortable with her life and working in Hollywood as a woman in her forties, recently guest starring in an episode of the long running series, Law and Order.
At the recent meeting Hemingway also shared with the audience, with candidness and humor, stories of what it was like working on her first film with director Woody Allen, who impressed her with his directing skills; experiences with the paparazzi—being in and out of the limelight, and adjusting to either extreme; and one of the few stories her father, Jack Hemingway shared with her about the legendary “Papa Hemingway:” When Jack was 13 years old, his father matter-of-factly dropped him off at a brothel to have a coming of age experience.#
For more information visit oxoniansociety.org.
