Feb
Getting Back Up
If you read yesterday’s post about Sandra Kring’s The Book of Bright Ideas, you know I’m a fan. It’s a book that simply spoke to me. On many levels.
One of the character’s in this book (Jewel) simply didn’t believe in herself. When she looked in the mirror, she saw someone ugly. She didn’t know how to show love. Didn’t know how to find her self-worth.
Then along comes another character (Freeda). Someone who had problems, too, but didn’t let them manifest in quite the same way as the first character. And so she took Jewel under her wing. Here’s a quick look at one of the conversations between them…
“That’s what this is about, isn’t it, Jewel? Ya took a lot of shit growing up about how you weren’t good enough. Well, honey, I got dished up a whole shitload of crap as a kid, too, but I’ll tell you this. It wasn’t your fault you got knocked down as a kid, but it’s your responsibility to get yourself back up now. you gotta reach inside and find what you’re made of, and you gotta prove them wrong. You don’t, and you’re not only gonna grow more bitter and ugly, but you’re gonna grow a daughter just like you.”
“I never say mean things to Evelyn!” 
“You don’t have to say them. That kid looks just like you, Jewel. And if your looks aren’t good enough for you, how in the hell is Button gonna think they’re good enough for her?”
I think, in life, we give other people the power to affect how we see ourselves. Sometimes that’s okay, because the people looking are full of love. But, sometimes, the ones looking aren’t full of love and that’s when wounds begin to grow. Deep ones.
If you’ve ever seen the movie, Pretty Woman, you may remember the moment when Julia Roberts’ character is in bed with Richard Gere’s character. And she says, “the bad stuff is easier to believe.”
And I think that’s true…if you don’t have those full-of-love eyes in your life.
So here’s what I want to do today. Tell me something special about you. A gift you think you bring to the world. And…while you’re at it…tell us something you think is pretty about you on the outside, too.
~Elizabeth
February 10th, 2010 at 8:39 am
I’m a giver. To a fault. I’m starting to crawl my way up the priority ladder for myself.
I used to say my hands were the one thing I thought was pretty. Now it’s down to one hand…the other one swells up like a balloon.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I’m a listener. People tell me things, if only to express it loudly so that they can make an informed decision. If my opinion is warranted, I’ll give it, but I let the person talk it out.
I think my smile.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
I’m a listener too. I am the repository for all the vents and rants from coworkers, because they know whatever they tell me won’t go any farther. Also, I get most of my teenage coworker’s secrets/angst because they know I won’t make fun of them.
(Dru, we really should friend each other on FB or something, we’re in all the same places!)
I asked my husband “what’s the prettiest thing about me on the outside”. He said, “I can’t even come up with a top ten! It’s the whole package!” But my opinion is probably my eyes. I have big brown eyes with long lashes.
Interesting question, Elizabeth.. made me think this morning. And that’s dangerous before I’ve had the full dosage of caffeine!
February 10th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
I’m a giver, too. And I give it unconditionally. Which is what makes the kicks harder to take.
To echo Dru…I think my smile, too.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Shel I think I found you as a fan of Elizabeth. Are you STF? If so, I’ll friend you.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Dru, you probably did. I am STF, so yes, please friend me.