Your experience with note taking reminded me of a situation that surprised me earlier this week. While meeting with my Personal Advisor Board from the Judy Project (yes, Janet’s Judy), we talked about what we hoped to get out of our meets every 6 weeks. This is a group of 7 successful women, women I spent a week with in April and have met several evenings since then. I was surprised that some declared they were unwilling to talk about personal things in our group, that this was a professional development program. This struck me in a very odd way, I didn’t know there was a difference between the personal me and professional me. Janet and I have a professional relationship and I think our professional relationship works really well because I adore, admire and respect Janet. And yes, Janet is my friend. How do we distinguish between personal and professional?

I realized that some people just don’t let other people in. Not because they don’t want to but because it is terrifying. Maybe that to be vulnerable would crumble the illusion that they have everything together. But no one really has it all together.

Reminds me of a great song by Van Morrison, called “Not Supposed to Break Down”

You’re not supposed to be human
You’re not supposed to really feel
Not supposed to get involved
With anything completely real
Fifteen families starving
All around the corner block
Here we’re standing so alone
Just like gibraltar rock

Not supposed to break down
You’re not supposed to break down
Swallow the dirt
Keep listening to the hurt
You’ll be safe and sound

Supposed to be super human
Cover everything
Just like a bird
Cover an egg with it’s wing
And knowing there’s nothing sacred
And what is the use
>no point trying to find
What is worth, what is true

Not supposed to break down
You’re not supposed to break down
Swallow the hurt listen to the dirt
You’ll be safe and sound
You’re not supposed to break down

You’re not supposed to break down
Swallow the hurt
Listen to the dirt
And you’ll be safe and sound

A fool and his mainline connection
By-pass going to the well
But that doesn’t matter anymore
I’m sure that we can tell
Who’s a puppet on a string
An’ who really holds the glove
But it ain’t up you and me
It’s up to the lord above

You’re not supposed to break down
You’re not supposed to break down
Swallow the hurt
Keep on listening to the dirt
And I’ll bet you’ll be safe and sound

You’re not supposed to break down
You’re not supposed to break down
Swallow the hurt
Listen to the dirt
I’ll bet you’ll be safe and sound
And I’ll bet you’ll be safe and sound
And I’ll bet you’ll be safe and sound
I’ll bet you’ll be safe and sound

I guess some people just aren’t ready to share themselves with the world. I’m glad you are Farokh.

Lots of Love,
Sharon

Do not be saddened by yesterday’s events. I have now read some of your blog. I want to read all of it but I am a slow reader as I like to feel and absorb what I am reading. You write so well and I am not offended in any way. I would like you to still carry on as you have been. I was not at the second session that week, so I had no idea you were taking pictures. Except for the particular painting I asked not to be photographed, I do not object to what you are doing. I have not felt so good today at all, the day being long and I am a bit lost. I guess I am still upset about my concerns that I aired yesterday. Reading your blog actually has cheered me up. Well, I hope you are doing alright today (was it a chemo day?) I enjoy our Wednesday group, even if I appear a bit apprehensive at the beginning. It’s just that d*** anxiety taking hold of me. Your sense of humor is greatly appreciated. “Laughter is the best medicine, eh?” See ya next week friend!

It is really too bad that those folks have not read the blog, because you have been very sensitive – however, perhaps it is too hard for those people to read it.

Am holding you in the light today as you go for the next round of chemo. Maybe we’ll see some more poetry?

love and hugs,
Di