***** “Real isnt how you are made, said the Skin Horse. Its a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real. Does it hurt? asked the Rabbit. Sometimes, said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. When you are Real you dont mind being hurt. Does it happen all at once, like being wound up, he asked, or bit by bit? It doesnt happen all at once, said the Skin Horse. You become. It takes a long time. Thats why it doesnt happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things dont matter at all, because once you are Real you cant be ugly, except to people who dont understand.” (Margery Williams, “The Velveteen Rabbit”) ****** I bid adieu to 2014. Despite the great changes and grief of the last few months, I am grateful for the strangely wonderful opportunity Life is giving me to become Real. I am amazed at myself (if I can be so boldly proud) that I have stepped into the game and let fall away so much of the baggage I’ve been dragging around for decades—anxiety and fear, masks to hide my real self from all of you, old beliefs, limitations, and stuffed-down feelings. It’s not that I’m not afraid anymore… but I’m willing to be afraid now, and I’m walking forward anyway. I feel strangely new in a naked kind of way, blinking at the world with fresh eyes, sometimes fragile and unsure, but stronger than I’ve ever been. Oh you New Year, I’m not so sure about you and what you will bring for me. You are starting hard for me, but I will welcome you—if not eagerly then with fierce determination that I will become more Real and do as many Great Things as I can—whether they be big or small. Welcome, 2015. May you inspire us ALL to Live our best possible life; may you be the stuff of dreams. Many blessings to us all!
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 17:56:06 +0000
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