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By Valerie Markva
Contrary to the popular tendency to believe that you face problems
alone, this column was developed with the knowledge that you are not
alone.
You may not realize it but there are people in your communities that have
similar concerns dealing with love, work, and life in general. Often one
of
the best 'therapies' can be simply hearing about the problems of others
and
by observing how they have dealt and are dealing with these issues.
Something bothers everyone from time to time and this column is devoted to
those everyday 'bothers' and 'troubles'. Whatever your age or problem,
feel
free to write or e-mail me at:
Tavia7@webtv.net or care of Review Magazine,
318 S. Hamilton St., Saginaw, MI 48602. Responses and advice will appear
in
upcoming issues. Please keep in mind that any form of harassment,
vulgarity
and verbal abuse will be ignored.
This column has been designed to inspire, uplift and help you. If you are
more comfortable reading about these real-life situations rather than
sharing your ownSGo Ahead! This column is for you, but remember there
won't
be a column unless some of you write in with your comments & concerns
about
love, life and, well, whatever you want to discuss. Indulge yourself,
write
to me, and please read on while I give you a sneak peek at some of the
topics we'll be covering in later issues.
Concerns of the Modern Day Heart & Mind
In Thomas Moore's New York Times #1 Bestseller, Care of the Soul , he
states that "the emotional complaints of our time, complains therapists
hear everyday, include: Emptiness, Meaninglessness, Vague depression,
Disillusionment in marriage, family & relationships, loss of values,
yearning for personal fulfillment, and a hunger for spirituality."
Is there a sense of purpose & order in your life, or do you feel
overwhelmed by chaos? If you experience any of the above listed complaints
about life, this column was created with you in mind. I'll discuss these
topics with you on a personal level and moreStake a look inside and
discover symbols of ancient myth and what they represent, interpretations
that are helpful in finding answers to the questions we ask about life.
We'll examine self-help instruction, advice & book recommendation, and the
dreamwork of Carl Jung - what dreams can tell us about ourselves.
Who am ISto give good advice to you? Are you wondering if I'm a trained
professional? The answer is no. So what makes me think I can give you good
advice? Trust me, I've given that question a great amount of thought. I
found that the answer is actually quite simple, although it has two parts.
The first is that I want to help people. The second is that I'm a writer -
it's what I do. By profession, I'm a writer of fiction.
So what does a writer of fantasy know about problems in the 'real world'?
Throughout my life I've often wondered how fantasy & reality are
connected.
Ironically, my favorite author Anne Rice, helped define the answer when
she
said "fantasy for thousands of years has been the medium for people
talking
about the very meaning of life itself. It is no accident that the words
'to
be or not to be' appear in a play that begins with a ghost. Banquo's
ghost
speaks of guilt, love, loss and cruelty, all of the major questions." And
she describes her Vampire Chronicles as being "about us as well as
vampires. It's about those who feel deeply."
Deepening this understanding, Bob Martin described a writer as someone who
is "always watching". I find this to be in my experience, very true.
Fortunately, when I was able to finally understand this as an adult, my
own
life began to make more sense.
My fantasy-writing world mirrors the things I experience and for me,
writing has always been a form of solving realistic problems, which must
be
why my friends are always asking me for advice!
I would like to say that I don't think there is anyone who has all the
answers, and since I am putting myself in the position of 'advice-giver',
I
just want to make a few things clear. I'm not going to tell you what to do
in a situation. However, I will provide suggestions and encouragement. The
first suggestion that I have for you today is that when you begin to look
for the answers to your problems, make sure that you look with an open
heart & mind.
The Ancient Rhyme of Myth
On my quest to learn more about the mysteries of the human mind, I have
found that one way to gain understanding about ourselves is through
observing humanity, both past & present. Without becoming radically swept
away with religion or worship of pagan gods, I would like to introduce
what
various myths & believes represent.
In upcoming issues I will include symbolic archetypes, meanings and
interpretations to enhance and broaden our perspective on the way we
visualize the world around us.
Today I have chosen to introduce the Welsh goddess, Rhiannon, because she
is the embodiment of the qualities which are essential in dealing with
self-improvement.
Rhiannon represents self-wholeness, rejuvenation, creative energy &
strength. In mythology, she is the symbol of life, death & transformation.
In her dwelling place there is no death without spiritual renewal.
Rhiannon's tip: Look inside of yourself and develop your natural sense of
creativity.
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