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The Oprah Magazine for November arrived. And in it, an article by one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Gilbert. The tag line “How to be the real you? Teach your various sides to live harmoniously.” She identifies her three selves, Lizzy, Elizabeth, and Ms. Gilbert. I started thinking about my selves. Do I have three different people living inside of me?
There’s Margarita: fun-loving, outgoing dancer. She laughs and talks freely. She really doesn’t care what others think of her. She’s confident and carefree.
There’s Margaret: practical, hard-working, dedicated wife and mother. She will do anything that needs doing to help someone she loves. She feels less than if she is not doing her best.
There’s Mrs. Simon: serious, disciplined teacher. She respects her students and wants only the best for them. She doesn’t like slackers or disrespectful comments about anyone. She has high expectations and infallible values.
I know all three of these Margarets live inside of me. I love and nurture them all, but sometimes their goals conflict. Sometimes Margarita’s fun makes Mrs. Simon’s Mondays tired and tough, and leaves piles of dirty clothes for Margaret to wash. But I think I’ll keep her because she makes me happy.
Once again YOU are giving me ideas to write about. I am definitely more than one person! I loved reading about all three of yous. And I think the image, though of one, shows all 3 shining brightly! Thanks for sharing and inspiring me, maybe another person inside you!!
Fabulous post! I sometimes call getting ready for school “putting on Ms. Gillespie”. Have you read Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic”?
Yes and I loved it. She makes me feel brace.
I love this. It really got me thinking about my three selves. I’m off to consider them and see if they can all work together occasionally!
I feel blessed to know aspects of all three…now you have me thinking about my various selves, which I fear range in numbers larger than three. š
What a delightful, reflective post and such a great idea for students to try to explore their “voices” as writers. I say, keep all three of you!
Can we only have three selves? I have to read this article. By the way, I adore ALL the YOUs there are! š (I’m going to NCTE. Can’t wait to see you!)
What an intriguing idea and one that certainly merits some more thought. All three of your selves sound perfectly delightful!
As I ponder retirement in 2018, I am spending my reflection about who I am.
I especially love the last two sentences here! I think one reason I value my friendships that have lasted nearly 40 years is they know a very different Wendy from the one people see now, and it’s rejuvenating to be her again.
I love this. And so honored to know a bit about each part of you. Such complicated beings. It’s fun to think of the parts of us and the parts of people we know.
I love this perspective, Margaret. We are who we are but reflecting more deeply is important. The photo says it all.