I LOVE the movie "What About Bob?" It's one of those flicks I can watch over and over without tiring of the jokes. One of my favorite scenes is when the family is having dinner, and Bob just raves over every part of the meal. "Mmmm, this chicken is scrumptious." You've got to try this. I was driving home from the grocery store today munching on a Reese's Big Cup (love those things!) when I realized that I was just chomping through one of my favorite treats. So I pulled a "Bob." Out loud I said, "Mmmm." Yes, I even rolled my eyes into the back of my head. I was stunned. The candy actually tasted different. It was something I never tasted before. Yes, I was honestly enjoying the bite in my mouth. The experimenting began. I tried just using the vocals. Yes. I just rolled my eyes back. Yes. What a wonderful thing this is. I ate my dinner tonight this way. Wow! I've never eaten a Cuban sandwich quite like this one. I've mentioned b...

As a teenager, I loved the Psalmist's words: "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. All your works are good; I know this full well." Every time I thought my nose was too big or my hair too blonde or not blonde enough or never combed the right way—you get the point—I would look in the mirror and remind myself that I was a work of the creator of the universe. Why is it that something so real to me during that time was eventually swept under the rug of my own insecurities? How did it lose meaning? These words are alive and new within me today. For too long, I've been comparing myself with other people, making mental notes about how I measure up to their good qualities. I've kept lists of the traits I want to model in other people. Out shopping with my sister, I'd take one look at her and chastise myself for not always wearing matching shoes and belt. (Note to self: buy more belts.) I totally bought the line when my dear friend told me that ev...

I vividly remember telling my mother that all I wanted out of life was to be a real person. (I had just finished reading The Velveteen Rabbit, and Skin Horse's words were rolling around in my head.) I honestly set out to be someone reliable and honest and true to herself and her beliefs. What wonderful aspirations I had! Then reality set in. I wanted to be honest, but I didn't want to hurt feelings or lose a friendship. I wanted to stick to my beliefs, but they waivered in the face of my crumbling home life. I wanted to be reliable, but I often questioned if I was even there for myself. Speaking of myself, how could I be true when I didn't even know who I was? Last August I started what became long term therapy. In one of my first sessions, we did a little visualization. I was supposed to be on the beach with myself. This was difficult. What did I look like? How would I know it was me? Did I even want to find myself? I desperately wanted to wrap my hand around "my hand...