Carrie

I was playing more with the idea that this story is "a psychological and spiritual root story" that Estes' says is fundamental to human development.  Knowing that self exploration and 'finding ones own' is so difficult even for those of us who are aware we're searching, imagine how hard it is for young girls who don't have teachers or mothers who help them to explore their own uniqueness and personal power.  THEN, add the distorted messages from modern media into the picture and you've got a big fucking mess.  excuse my language.  but seriously, what a mess!

the woman who visited my class was working with these concepts, specifically about media's influence on girls self esteem, and wrote a childrens book called Zilly which has a story line echoing the ugly duckling in many ways.  Maybe some of you will find her work useful for your own relationship with media, or to help younger girls in your life explore how media influences their development.  (she also wrote some really great curriculum called Project Girl, that is great for middle school age and uses art as a way to play with these concepts in an explorative way) 

Here's the link.   http://www.kellyparkssnider.com/zilly.html

and last, i wanted to share some beautiful words which i'm sure many of you have heard before, but are worth reading a million times over.

enjoy!

with much love and gratitude,

Carrie  

First, about finding your pack, 

    "The time for the lone wolf is over.  Gather yourselves!  Banish the word struggle from you attitude and your vocabulary.  All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. 

    "We are the ones we've been waiting for."   -Hopi Elder

And second, about embracing your inner swan,

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? 

...... Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory....that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. 

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”   -Marianne Williamson