taking my own advice

i've got to refute a post i wrote a few days ago when i talked about missing intellectual stimulation due to my surroundings. today, after reading jodi's blog about being where we are without feeling lonely or while still feeling at home, so far away from each other and our place of origin, i commented on what she wrote. i said the following:



you know jo, i think all of us are feeling that same sense of being torn between where we are and where our hearts rest. because when we're all together, that's where we feel at home. it's hard for me to be HERE fully, too... but i think when we decide to take our days into our hands, and maybe find a little more home within ourselvess, we can feel more comfortable and encouraged.

for so long we relied on recieving love from each other to feel at home... and being apart from one another is our chance to look inside and draw some strength, courage, and love for ourselves from ourselves to play a comforting role.

maybe there's no harder thing than to turn to yourself when you're feeling lonely. that almost sounds backwards. but if you CAN turn to yourself in low or lonely times, then you've got something that will never let you down. find ways to turn to yourself. play music. paint. write. read. bring that light to life in times of lonliness. you've got so much inside.


now i've just got to say that my experiences and education here, both academically and outside of the classroom, are totally under my control. they're totally up to me to make the most of and get as much out as i put in. it's silly how often i tell myself that and how quickly i forget to act upon that belief. but it's really good to be reminded, even if it's through advising someone else.

don't hesitate to give me a piece of my own advice if i seem as though i'm forgetting. or some new and different advice. part of what i'm learning through going to this counselor is to be open to others' advice for me, not to feel so much like i have to have power or be right about everything. haha. so yeah. bombard me with advice or refutations!!

lots of love, rachael


ps. photos from the protest can be found at photos.yahoo.com/rachmddx under ANTI-WAR PROTEST
my camera died half way through the day, so i had to be quick with the picture taking...they didn't all come out great. anyway, enjoy!