THE FOUR SELVES; 4) MY FUTURE SELF

My Future Self???? Oh God, WHO KNOWS?????? I do LOVE the crazy pink outfit though. It would be a blast to have somewhere to wear that. Other than that, well heck, "Art in America"? If you are going to dream, might as well dream BIG!

THE FOUR SELVES; 3) THE SPIRITUAL SELF

My Spiritual Self is also fairly straight forward. This part of myself is about truth, beauty, compassion and letting go; finding a calm center within even though there are storms outside,cultivating discipline and appreciating what I have.

I find joy often in small things. I try not to get bogged down by other people's stuff or their projections on me. I try and live my truth. I try and do good in the world even if it's as simple as not reacting when someone is being irrational with me.

I am not a Buddhist even though I have used a lot of Buddhist imagery. I do have a serious practice studying Hinduism.

P.S. I have a pretty strong obsession with cherry blossoms! It has calmed down in the last couple of years but I am still very drawn to them. I looked up the symbolism for them a year or so ago and they said that they represent spiritual beauty. Maybe that's why I have my whole right arm tattooed with them!

THE FOUR SELVES; 2) THE SECRET SELF

My Secret Self is actually pretty straight forward. She is a wild child who plays in the forest with wolves and deer and sleeps in piles of dried Autumn leaves.

She lives off of the forest and whatever she can steal from the surrounding farms. She is ODD, and doesn't bath regularly. She has branches and leaves in her hair.

There is more I could say about her, but then she wouldn't be secret......

THE FOUR SELVES;1) THE PUBLIC SELF

Here is my 'Public Self". So much of my public identity has been wrapped up in my career as a Chef/cook.

People and family have labeled me with this identity because it is easy, identifiable and socially acceptable. I have also let myself be labeled as well; perhaps because I was not sure of anything else to identify with.... or maybe I just wasn't ready yet.

Even though the figure is working hard, rolling out cookie dough, the eyes and the lips are pleasant and good looking. You must still be attractive even if you are sweating in a hot kitchen for 8+ hours a day!

There is another meaning though as well; the eyes and mouth are in a different direction than the rest of the figure. They appear to be looking back but maybe they are just looking elsewhere. Maybe the eyes and mouth are dreaming of a different direction even as the hands are working hard and rolling out cookie dough for the masses.

Since this role is also about customer service, a smile and a pleasant disposition is always necessary as well. Sometimes all this makes me feel like a 1950's housewife.