The Glass Castle

My childhood was not ideal.  Things happened to me that shouldn't happen to little kids.  But they did happen, and I've always tried very hard not to use all the pain from those ugly things as a crutch.

I recently read the book The Glass Castle (have you read it?  So good, right?!) and realized I hadn't been doing as good a job as I thought I had.

After stewing on the story for a week, I've realized that while what I endured as a child was nothing compared to what the Walls children endured, I've spent the last twenty years using my pain to anchor myself in fear.  That way I had an excuse to hide from life and settle for less than what I really wanted. 

Reading Jeannette Walls' story woke me up.  For so long, I've just accepted that there are always going to be nightmares and that I am always going to be terrible at interpersonal relationships and that I am not good enough to be a success.

But why have I accepted that?  Why haven't I done something to change my attitude and perception of myself?  Why haven't I gotten real help?

It's time to stop allowing my childhood and the mistakes I've made since then dictate who I am and where I'm going.

What I wanted to say to you is: never be afraid or ashamed to tell your story.  Someone needs to hear it. 

If you need a book that will motivate you and make you so very grateful for what you have, read The Glass Castle.