Saturday, November 3, 2012

Storytelling Sunday: On Becoming Me

It was a dark and stormy night. Winter, 1980. Walking home from a party. Alone.
Alone was a new concept for me, just recently having broken up with the guy I had dated since starting at University. But alone felt just fine. 
I had taken a flier and said yes when invited to a party by a girl who had been in a few of my classes but who I didn't know well. I went to the party and found it full of friendly folks, including one old acquaintance. I mingled. I drank. I danced. I sang along to Steely Dan's "My Old School" at the top of my lungs. I felt free and light and full of life.  I realized I felt happy. Happy because I could just be myself. Free of expectations, imposed by others, of who I should be. Happy to be on the path to becoming me.
Happy because I knew that, after every storm comes clear open skies. And happy to know that I would be there to greet the new day.
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This story is brought to you as part of Sian's Storytelling Sunday. To read more wonderful words, check out this link.
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33 comments:

  1. AmyNovember 3, 2012 at 6:04 PM

    Oooh, I like this Rinda! It's a great lesson to learn, to be happy in yourself and by yourself.

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  2. MargiNovember 3, 2012 at 11:42 PM

    Great lesson Rinda! It took me to 40 to decide that alone is just fine as long as I have me and am comfortable in my own skin. I haven't looked back!

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  3. Mary BNovember 4, 2012 at 1:03 AM

    this sound intriguing as if there is to be a sequel

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  4. Missus WookieNovember 4, 2012 at 1:20 AM

    Yep, clear skies after stormy weather is a great life lesson - one we both need to be holding onto right now. Hope the storms clear and beautiful skies await.

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  5. debs14November 4, 2012 at 1:04 AM

    What a brilliant story Rinda, and the best lesson any of us can learn - to be happy in our own skin is the best feeling in the world.

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  6. LadkyisNovember 4, 2012 at 1:14 AM

    Lovely story conjuring pictures of youth and insecurity followed by growth and understanding. Thank you for sharing

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  7. furrypigNovember 4, 2012 at 1:43 AM

    very important life lesson Rinda and a great story xxx

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  8. scrappyjackyNovember 4, 2012 at 1:52 AM

    A great story,Rinda....and love your art journal page.

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  9. alexaNovember 4, 2012 at 1:54 AM

    Very uplifting - and a lovely page too :).

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  10. IreneNovember 4, 2012 at 1:56 AM

    Happy is a great place to be. You have captured the very essence of being who you are; a wonderful piece of journalling.

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  11. SianNovember 4, 2012 at 2:00 AM

    I love this interpretation of the theme - it's so clever! The song really places it for me and gives it atmosphere and I can just imagine how you still remember this time whenever you hear it. It's a great lesson to teach the kids as they get older too, isn't it?

    Thanks Rinda!

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  12. SianNovember 4, 2012 at 2:03 AM

    I'm back becasue I hit publish and then realised I hadn't told you how much I liked your art today. I'm pinning it to the board right now

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  13. AnneNovember 4, 2012 at 2:31 AM

    Love it Rinda !

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  14. UnknownNovember 4, 2012 at 3:34 AM

    Great, lovely lesson. Happy isn't often a state but a series of moments and all the sweeter when we recognise one as it happens. Brilliant story, I have loved this today.

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  15. MiriamNovember 4, 2012 at 4:12 AM

    Oh this is lovely Rinda and a great lesson learnt.

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  16. AlisonNovember 4, 2012 at 5:00 AM

    Acceptance of a situation is good...actually being happy with it is a WONDERFUL feeling!
    Alison xx

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  17. SusanneNovember 4, 2012 at 5:04 AM

    I am so glad you shared this. We don't realize often enough how happy we are - even after bumpy times. Great art piece too.

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  18. JO SOWERBYNovember 4, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    I might have to pin this for the next time my Bipolar kicks in. Thank you Maria,
    Jo xxx

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  19. laurieNovember 4, 2012 at 6:58 AM

    you took the prompt to such a different and refreshing place! a great page for a treasured memory.

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  20. humelNovember 4, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    Rinda, that's fabulous! I'm loving the art, too xx

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  21. CheriNovember 4, 2012 at 9:02 AM

    What a lovely story Rinda! And amazing to me that you learned that lesson at such a young age... I think I'm just starting to learn it.

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  22. Fiona@staring at the seaNovember 4, 2012 at 9:48 AM

    A valuable lesson that, sadly, I think some never learn. Loving the journal page x

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  23. ComfyMom~StaceyNovember 4, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    This is such a wonderful story! It's so great to feel good alone in your own skin.

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  24. MelNovember 4, 2012 at 12:32 PM

    Independance can feel great after a heavy duty relationship and that feeling of just suiting yourself!

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  25. BeckyNovember 4, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    A great story - a valuable lesson learned at an early age.

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  26. KarenNovember 4, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    Such an important lesson. It made me wonder if I could pinpoint the exact time it happened for me.

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  27. The Mann FamNovember 4, 2012 at 5:19 PM

    Great insight. Love the art journaling.

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  28. JaneNovember 5, 2012 at 2:42 AM

    a lesson for everyone.

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  29. Scrappi SandiNovember 5, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Love it...a great motto to live by & it is so important to be you & not just a reflection of what others expect you to be! TFS...:D

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  30. IreneNovember 5, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    Dang girl! What were you smoking?, and why didn't you invite me to that party? LOL Just kidding you dear cousin. I love all your stories and this one got me thinking about being happy with who I am.

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  31. UnknownNovember 5, 2012 at 8:13 PM

    That was a beautiful story.

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  32. JimjamsNovember 6, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    Great page for a lovely story with a really good moral. TFS

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  33. MelissaNovember 8, 2012 at 2:30 PM

    What a great memory of a dark & stormy night!

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