Blog
Living All Our Faces
When I first came to the U.S., I learned that being “two-faced” meant being a liar. That never made sense to me. We all have many faces. Wouldn’t showing them be more honest? Isn’t it more honest to admit that, laughing with a friend after your grandmother’s funeral, you felt both grief AND joy? Isn’t it more honest to admit that, in the face of world events, you’re in touch with both intense anger AND profound hope? And all that there is in between?
Gaslighting Ourselves
People talk a lot about gaslighting, i.e., manipulating others by questioning their sanity. It’s a terrible tactic that many people use to get what they want. But just as important are the ways we gaslight ourselves.
Letter to My Solitude
Dear Solitude, I used to be so terrified of you. If I wasn’t constantly busy or taking care of someone else, you’d come around to remind me where I come from. If I slowed down at all, you’d show me how lonely I was. I couldn’t understand or feel the joy of being with you.
Letter To My Inner Child
I see you and love you to the moon. I have no illusions that I ever would have made it through life without you. You are such a brave little one. I’m here because you survived childhood. Without your ability to get us through, I could never know the beautiful life I have today.
Letter To My Past
I hear you knocking on my door, asking me to let you in. I will, as long as you know that you don’t define me. You are an important part of me, but not all of me.
