Kate Simmons
03-25-2008, 03:19 PM
Many here know I've pretty much successfully balanced and integrated my feelings and am now very comfortable 24/7 no matter what I look like or what I'm wearing and feel pretty good about who I am overall. It doesn't end there, however, and there is indeed much more to be accomplished. It is not the "be all" and "end all" of the adventure, not by a long shot.
This is basically "terra incognita" for me as I've really never come this far before and I'm pretty much making it up as I go along. I am the architect of my own destiny after all. That being the case, my friend Melissa and I had some very good and relatively deep discussions on all of this while she was visiting for a few days on her way back home. We are both on our own individual quests and it certainly helps to get input from someone who is engaged in a similar search for understanding of self.
One thing I definately noticed was that even though I was mostly presenting as my guy self (plus sporting a mustache), the foundation that is Salandra was always there and definately is solid. It's never really about JUST the dressing anyway as there are so many things that impact on our lives that truely make all of us who we are. The nice part about the whole thing is that we had the freedom to openly discuss our feelings, hopes and dreams without restriction. That, my friends, is priceless and leaves very little room for doubt as to motives and integrity.
I consider this like going to a very sacred place and a place of "magic" as it were as the energy flowing is pure, unrestrictive and positive and time definately well spent for sure. I would venture to say it left little doubt that we both are exactly who we say we are and realize how our individual journies put things into perspective, especially our feelings.
Who we are is not limited by the perceptions of others and true self expression does not depend on that. We literally hold all of the cards but how we play the hand is where the real finesse comes in and part of that is having fun along the way. Mary Poppins has the key. For many self exploration can be a chore and even something to possibly fear. Making the chore a game makes it more palatable. How one does that is by not taking one's self too seriously. Be silly, be creative, have fun. Allow the energy to flow and I guarantee you will never be disappointed. Life is basically a game anyway, so may as well have fun. I found that my worse critic was always myself. Once I learned to lighten up, everything fell into place. This is what the integration phenomenon has done for me and it's really as simple or as difficult as we ourselves make it.:)
This is basically "terra incognita" for me as I've really never come this far before and I'm pretty much making it up as I go along. I am the architect of my own destiny after all. That being the case, my friend Melissa and I had some very good and relatively deep discussions on all of this while she was visiting for a few days on her way back home. We are both on our own individual quests and it certainly helps to get input from someone who is engaged in a similar search for understanding of self.
One thing I definately noticed was that even though I was mostly presenting as my guy self (plus sporting a mustache), the foundation that is Salandra was always there and definately is solid. It's never really about JUST the dressing anyway as there are so many things that impact on our lives that truely make all of us who we are. The nice part about the whole thing is that we had the freedom to openly discuss our feelings, hopes and dreams without restriction. That, my friends, is priceless and leaves very little room for doubt as to motives and integrity.
I consider this like going to a very sacred place and a place of "magic" as it were as the energy flowing is pure, unrestrictive and positive and time definately well spent for sure. I would venture to say it left little doubt that we both are exactly who we say we are and realize how our individual journies put things into perspective, especially our feelings.
Who we are is not limited by the perceptions of others and true self expression does not depend on that. We literally hold all of the cards but how we play the hand is where the real finesse comes in and part of that is having fun along the way. Mary Poppins has the key. For many self exploration can be a chore and even something to possibly fear. Making the chore a game makes it more palatable. How one does that is by not taking one's self too seriously. Be silly, be creative, have fun. Allow the energy to flow and I guarantee you will never be disappointed. Life is basically a game anyway, so may as well have fun. I found that my worse critic was always myself. Once I learned to lighten up, everything fell into place. This is what the integration phenomenon has done for me and it's really as simple or as difficult as we ourselves make it.:)