I Saw a Toad...

today in our front patio and it reminded me of my many poems and thoughts about kissing a frog and finding your Prince Charming. But there is also another side to that story.

The new Disney movie "Princess and the Frog" has a scene where the Princess gives in and kisses the frog so he can turn into a Prince and guess what? She turns into a frog. I laughed and laughed when I saw the preview. Growing up as I did with fairy tales and always wanting to live happily ever after, life was disappointing just like that scene. I needed a divorce in order to escape becoming like my frog. Click here to see the Disney trailer-it is too funny.

But then another frog came along and this one didn't know he was a Prince in disguise. His wife had divorced him and so his self worth was down. He was sure he was a frog but when we met, I sensed something else about him. Although we didn't kiss right away, now after 16 years of marriage I know he really is a Prince in disguise, but he still doesn't know it. Working with him on his life story, has been enlightening for him though challenging to sort out his accomplishments and perceived failures. Oh so, cathartic for both of us.

Shadows and Types

So many of my blogging friends are posting photos of SHADOWS that it certainly gets you interested in LIGHT and the resulting IMAGES that can be made of an object. So how does that relate to LIFE? Could a shadow be like an AURA or PREMONITION that you have about someone without really knowing them? (The problem here is judging without really having all the facts.) Take the situation where you met a new person either online or for the first time. You immediately form an IMPRESSION of the person which is kind of like a shadow-sketchy and not filled in with details. Sometimes it's just a gut feeling which I have learned to trust. Then as you interact with a person over TIME their TRUE personality or character comes out slowly UNLESS they are a skillful actor or deceiver. What you thought or prejudged about them is either PROVEN of CHANGED by your EXPERIENCES with them. This is particularly true with dating or superficial first encounters like meeting new people in a public situation. Also it relates to how you present yourself to others. I tend to be open and honest, although shy and quiet at first. It does take time for me to let others know the REAL ME when I build TRUST with them through interactions over time.

TIME and PERSPECTIVE are the elements needed to prove what someone real persona is. So we are not just concluding from shadows or IMPRESSIONS what that person is like. I can look back at many years of dating and even an earlier marriage where the person I met was very DIFFERENT from what that person was in their core or SPIRIT. We are good at that, putting our best foot forward and HIDING our imperfections which are revealed overtime with pressures. So it takes a certain FAITH in a higher power to make any friendship or relationship and a trust in the goodness of people. How about all the bullies, terrorists, and dishonest individuals in the world? They still have value as individuals with specific needs and wants, but we do need a PROTECTION against their abuses or the ability to take whatever experiences life hands us with acceptance and LEARN the lessons given. What do you think?

Self Therapy

Writing does many things
it slows us down
puts us in touch with life
the now moment

As we look, think and

consider what is happening
why and how we can learn
from each experience
insights come our way

Reading doesn't do the same
it's too fast and easy
but writing freely
connects words with heart
allows emotions to flow

That's why I blog
to learn more about me