She Jumped the Tracks

I love your friend’s advice. I’ve been contemplating expectations and perceived expectations a lot myself.

I’m so grateful for your example of authenticity.

some wise words from Clarissa Pinkola Estes
“be the first
be the last
be the best
be the only

you are already the one”
the freedom to be different is the greatest freedom that you have”
for more listen to her “The Dangerous Old Woman” series from Sounds True

she says our eccentricity shows our giftedness

Dear Carla,

I, too, have been away from GA for a long time. I am, by your definition, still on the “right track” (in most repects anyway)—-if I were in your shoes and heading back to GA., I would be feeling the same apprehension you are. I think it has to do with that old saying “you can’t go home again” more than the specifics of your life experiences. Placing expectations on yourself–expecting expectations from others –is a truly scary scenario.
You, my friend, are ready and have your support group of friends—never forget how wonderful you are!

Lynda

You wrote “…that I was scared folks might try to put me in a box or not accept that I’m out of the box.”

and

“Come what may, I certainly intend to be authentic. I also want to be on guard as to how I may limit others. And I will definitely open myself to being surprised.”

To the former comment I generously and respectfully offer that you might considering destroying the box altogether.

To the latter comment I say a person only really limits others to the extent and when they limit themselves. Looking more centrally at yourself in this way can be deeply and profoundly lonely in this day of upside down thinking. But eventually you will find those that allow you to be you. It does not of course mean that you have to love (or dislove) every one or vice versa but for me it’s entirely about being authentically individual without respect to how I am perceived. That is why I work to destroy the box. Best, James

This is just simply so timely, I thank you, Carla, for sharing your apprehensions, which I share as I job search and thank you to everyone else for sharing what you all have. I feel so much better! I have said many times to friends, as I job search, that I am afraid that employers won’t take me seriously because they can’t figure out which box, or pigeonhole, I “belong” in. I guess I’ve been out of the box a long time, I just need to pay particular attention to not putting myself in one, or back in one, in order to please some notion of expectation! Everyone here gave me so much to think about. They are all right, Carla. Boxes are for packing household items in, not for people! You are very, very much “in” your giftedness, though!