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"On the Street Where I Live" ⌐ © mary beth volpini 2011
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I grew up in an alcoholic home. I never really felt safe and
I was not protected by those who were “supposed” to love me. I did not reveal a lot about my true self
until I entered therapy in the 30’s. The secrets came out, well most of them
and I could start to heal. I was able to share my true story and be authentic in
small groups and one on one when I felt safe that they could handle the
information.
My then husband started this blog for me in 2008. I tried to
be authentic and honest, but there was still so much that I could not share.
Fear stopped me. I guess it was easier and safer for me to tell my story through
my art. I have so many blog posts that race through my head, but then the fear
stops me again. Will someone read it and not like my art, or will I lose my
job, or think I am a bad Mother. It is so much harder to feel safe in the world
wide web, once the information or post is out. It . is . out and you have no
control who reads it.
We hear so much about authenticity and that is what people
want. BUT do they really want that, the good the bad and the ugly or do they want
life tied up with a pretty bow? Positive Polly. The goal of my blog is to
inspire people, especially women and children. Inspire to look at the world more
creatively. Inspire people to find hearts and love around them. Inspire to get
back up and persevere when life knocks you down and to know that they are not
alone in their struggles.
My son has an assignment this week in Language Arts class
and he has to read and then comment on various quotes. I love quotes and read through
some of the selections. Two of them struck a cord with me:
“Write what you know.”
Geraldine Brooks
“Write hard and clear
about what hurts.” Ernest Hemingway
I know pain, I know being an adult child of an alcoholic, I
know abuse, I know infertility, I know financial infidelity, I know emotional
infidelity, I know deceit, I know cancer, I know divorce.
BUT
I also know
Motherhood, joy, healing, survivorship, honesty, gratitude, perseverance, friendship
and love.
I will strive to be authentic and to share as much as I can
while still feeling safe in the hopes of helping others know they are not alone
as we navigate our path in life.