Pulling weeds

Yes, it has been forever! Life really got a hold of me these past few months. Between writing millions of papers, family responsibilities, and waves of sadness and doubt, I felt the need to retract.

I have been hard on myself, pushing all limits that even I knew should not have been pushed. I disregarded my needs and drained the soil almost completely. Luckily, there is always spring, and with it a chance to renew, re-evaluate and prioritize.


I have let go of external pressures to be “the perfect mother” or “the perfect wife” or “the 4.0 student”, I know that much. But at what point are the demands I put on myself interfering with my ability to do what makes me happy without neglecting those I love?

Even further, I don’t want to settle for “not neglecting” my family, because that implies merely getting basic needs met, which is by no means the intention here.

Criticism comes from every direction but when it comes from within,
it becomes embedded in people’s minds like a weed’s root clinging to the soil.

Letting go of “what will others say?” is a huge step into maturing one’s individuality; however, breaking negative thinking patterns that sometimes consume the way you view and compare yourself to others, may be the toughest challenge of all!

If negativity is a weed, bring on the gardening tools, because I am ready to pull them out!

Thanks for reading!
Beijos
allypye (glad to be back, by the way:)

Post Secret

I just recently attended a Post Secret Show in my wonderful town and felt like it was worth a post. For those who aren't familiar with the Project, check out the website

or take a walk to your local library to flip through the books.

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

http://www.amazon.com/PostSecret-Extraordinary-Confessions-Ordinary-Lives/dp/0060899190

Frank Warren and his comforting, empathetic presence, shared with the audience his experiences while working on Post Secret, touching many not only by showing some of his favorite secret post cards but also by providing the audience with an opportunity to share their own secrets, right then and there! At first, I felt uncomfortable with people going up to the microphone to share their most intimate experiences, until a woman came up to the mic to talk about her post-partum depression. The familiarity of her account hit me like a rock, and I began to listen to people who declared their love to members of the audience or admitted to be "scared shitless" of an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

The liberating power of releasing these secrets, as put by Frank Warren, can open up a world of intimacy when shared with a loved one; or perhaps have the function of comforting a complete stranger who may be going through similar challenges- the latter, one of the reasons for the popularity of the project.

From my perspective, the courage in being vulnerable allows people to become empathic with one another, and it releases us from feeling so inadequate in a world that constantly seeks to achieve perfection. Feelings of despair, shame and guilt experienced by all humans can be life giving when shared.

What does not kill us makes us stronger and it can make others stronger too.

Thanks for reading!

beijos

allypye