So, I held in my hands a little while ago a new self help book. It was sent to me as part of some pre-work for an upcoming mini-conference. As I read the back cover and the preface, I was suddenly aware of some distinct feelings washing over me. Anticipation, hope, a feeling that maybe this time it will be different. Maybe this time it will 'take'.
What is that?! I almost felt like I was about to go on a second date with someone. Doesn't that strike you as screwed up? Isn't that totally coming at life from a perspective that says I'm damaged goods? I don't know. It was a really strong feeling and I was acutely aware of the fact that I own quite a number of these kinds of books. All of which I remember feeling that same feeling and now they sit on a shelf... some of them read, most half read... a few I never did read.
To paraphrase a question from a favorite poem of mine... How might your life have been different? What if you had a place to belong... unconditionally loved and supported by a gathering of women.
For me, I might not feel like I came from the mark down rack... like if I just took the right class, read the right self help book... I could figure it all out and be enough.
How might your life have been different?
T.
