Haylin -
Have you ever read “The Great Gatsby”? It’s a classic that, in my opinion, thematically speaks to the notion that we need to spend more of life cherishing what we have than yearning for what we don’t have. I will say that it does speak to the depth of your intellect and desires to "be your own, make your own, and celebrate the true richness in life's journey". I think The Great Gatsby has many different interpretations, as all well-written novels do, but there are some interesting themes that can be drawn from it that I think are as relevant today as when it was written.
I think the 'American Dream', in most instances, is seen as one of materialism - a better life built on better 'things'. And that's perhaps where the dream is nothing more than an illusion that can never really create a true reality full of bliss. As the 'ole saying goes, 'no matter what you have, somebody else has more and better.' In that sense, the materialistic American Dream is a classic game of 'chasing your tail' because as soon as you think you've caught it, it moves further away. But, many people to-this-day live the American Dream through wealth. Don't get me wrong, we both know what wealth provides - comfort, efficiency, and guilty pleasures. However, wealth can never provide the richness of inter-personal relationships - the beauty of navigating life with the support and encouragement of those who mean the most to you. There is a “defined richness” that is carried in the heart and mind, not in the wallet…
But there is also a very striking gender dynamic in the book as well - one that encompasses the lack of independence of females. Once again, it's a common theme that is as prevalent today as it was then. The progression of women in modern society has come a long way since the 1920's - the challenges remain, but new paths can be shredded by those who seek to create them (life yourself)...I think it exposes the downfall of dependence and the rise of independence. I so adore who you are - a person who has taken upon herself to empower yourself and your children to 'be their own' and in turn, 'make their own'. And there's no greater career path to do that in than the one you chose…an entrepreneurial mind-healer - a most worthy of all professions for so many of us who lose our ways at times. BUT…it never means you can’t ask for help yourself.
I am impressed by so much of you; I am impressed by your intellect and spice; I am impressed by the richness in life you’ve created while also learning the lessons about the power struggle of independence, self-reliance, determination and the “guts to dream”.
There is a depth of ambition, a prominence of beauty, and a softness of heart that you very much exhibit - a refined character with much left to gain always trumps a broken character with much left to lose. The former is, well....you.
-MJL