Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself. I am large; I contain multitudes.- Walt Whitman
This is perhaps one of my most loved quotes. Being unique, living on the edge of the mainstream has been a vital ingredient in this blog and in our lives. Perhaps it was feeling like an outsider in the first place that led us down our paths of adventure and mishap, or it was the adventure that created our outsider statuses. Either way we've all, at one time or another searched our soul in quest of Identity, and chances are we've tried on a few different costumes. I struggle to bring to light the complexities that lead Women like us into circumstances where we are judged, misunderstood and even outcast, my hope. is to bring some empathy and compassion to others who may have judged us harshly. I am so much more than the sum of all labels I could assign to myself. Mother, student, writer, social worker, alcoholic, depressed, chronic pain patient, punk, hippie, socialist, non-conformist, animal lover, gardener, masters degreed addict. So many contradictory labels. But that is truly the human nature isn't it? To be complex? Even so it seems it is in human nature to attempt to fit people into snug little categories, to assign them a title that excludes all other possibility. Addict. How can an addict be a counselor?? Feminist? How can a feminist have empathy for a batterer?
Why do we cling to these narrow minded perceptions? In an answer, it's easy; doing so requires little or no critical thinking or emotional process.
To quote my own words from a previous post:
Self understanding and acceptance it's an ongoing process, just like developing any other relationship. I believe it is well worth the effort, if we are to truly become the best and brightest we can be.
© 2010-2011 Nanakoosa’s Place, authored by Jennifer Hazard
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