A bright blue-eyed, freckle faced, redhead that stood out in a crowd. I was treated unkindly for two reasons, because it's always fun to harass the oddball, or because people who didn't understand what it was like to be the oddball were jealous of the freckles, blue eyes, and red hair. I didn't understand either category but I moved along, doing my own thing happily ignoring the jokes.
Jokes, name-calling, finger pointing; Pippi long-stocking, fraggle rock, red fraggle, Elmo, carrot top (to which I would reply "The tops of carrots are green" just to have something to say back)...and the list goes on. It started in school at about age 5 but didn't end with school. It carried throughout life. It always amused me, the term red head. My hair is orange, not red, and has pretty much been the same color since I popped out of the womb, (before nearly dying of course), so that would actually sum up the ensuing action packed, nothing short of extreme adventurous years here on planet earth for this bright blue-eyed, freckle-faced, red-head, (with orange hair), that didn't have pale white skin. Well, thank goodness for the upbringing that allowed me to truly know it was OK to stand out.
My existence.
Being Different, it's no fault of mine, it was in the hair, or the genes, right from the start. So of course my first book would come together after having woken up from being completely unconscious while laying naked as a jay bird on the floor of the reception room in a spa, in Sligo Ireland, because the towel had fallen off. And of course it would end up being something so unique that no matter who I turned to, they would so happily inform me that it does not conform to any industry standard, and does not fall into the proper - cookie-cutter format. And thank goodness I spent my whole life being different, unintentionally, that the exception to the rule was always the rule for my life.
Whenever I was told "you can't do that," "that can't be done," "that's impossible," "it won't work," "no one will like it," 'you're nuts, out of your mind and always causing things to be harder than they should be," LITTLE did they know, they were only giving fuel to the fire (the red-headed fire burning on the top of my little head).
So, I say to you. You know, in your heart of hearts, if you are being genuine or just stubborn. You know when something doesn't feel right. Whether you choose to listen, or stuff yourself away in a "cookie-cutter" closet is totally up to you. Comparing ourselves in any way to others, more or less fortunate, takes away Love from all. When you are truly in your heart, when you heal and transform old patterns and habits, and you come from a place of truth, compassion, and joy, then be YOU, follow YOUR heart, and don't ever allow others' negative, self-doubt invade your "freckle faced, red-headed blue-eyed" space.
May this book, this creation and experience bring you Solace.