Dana- is a divorced mom of two who's husband left her for a "younger model"
Me- still very happily married to an amazing man who gave me four great kids. (even though he teases me that he should trade me in because I am breaking down)
Dana-is a helicopter parent which has left her kids a little too needy- in my opinion-
Me- Definitely NOT a helicopter parent and LOVES it when the kids help each other or better yet figure out that they can do it by themselves.
Dana-takes in her niece because she had an experience that she needed to recover from.
Me- never had to do that, but I would in a heart beat
Dana- gives meals to a family who's father is dying.
Me- willing and ready to serve/take meals/ do whatever is needed
So the book is basically about how she is dealing with the trials that have come into their family. Her 12 year old daughter started purging and Dana confided in a friend. That friend in turn told her book club friends. Dana isn't involved with the book club so her friend might not have thought that it would get back to Dana, but alas, it did. (there is so much more to the story, but this situation is what topped the cake)
Two lines really made me think of my own life...
A strange thought came to her then, a willingness-a need even-to know what was real and to understand how what had been true before had changed into what was true now... It was time to dig down to the deeper truths.
This helped me really ponder my own feelings on what is true in my own life right now. For instance, a not too recent event happened in my life that really woke me up to reality. I won't go into detail because it is still tender, but it woke me up to know how much I used to rely on others approval of me way too much. I wasn't being honest with myself on my feelings or protecting my family from what I felt like they needn't worry about. Shortly after this event, I attended Brave Girls Club and being there helped me learn to focus on things that are true and only let those people and/or things I love and treat me the way Heavenly Father wants you to be treated into my life. I still need to be kind and loving to all those around me, but I need to make sure that I only let those who truly love me be close. I am in no means perfect at this, but I am trying my best. Right now in my life I can say that I have never been happier. I feel like my marriage and family is strong and doing what Heavenly Father wants from us. I have tried to surround myself with great people. Of course, life isn't perfect and I get frustrated and a little grumpy sometimes, but it is a process. This is where I am right now and I feel like I need to evaluate the truths regularly so that I can keep my home and Family on the right path.
No one ever thinks gossip will go very far. But it's gossip, that's what it does.
So this statement had me thinking... I think it is in most women's nature to be talkers, but when does it become gossip? Is it what you talk about, who you talk about, or the tone you talk about it in. Or is it who you tell or how many people you tell.
It is funny to see what people tell their hairdressers. I am not currently in a salon, but being a hairstylist, I learned how to be a good listener and ask questions. I truly love to know about people and what makes them tick. I would like to think that I keep other people confidences and that they can trust that I do. But what if I didn't realize it was something they didn't want shared? What if I was talking to a mutual friend and just said something that wasn't meant to be said. I might not intend to say something that might hurt someone else, but what if I did? These are some of the questions I have been asking myself.
One of my new year goals is to be a better at "holding me tongue" so that I don't fall into the pit of constant gossip. It is such a fine line and I am always afraid of what side of it I am on.
2 who want to talk about it:
Did you delete my earlier comment?
I didn't. It must not have come through.
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