Wednesday 16 June 2010

A "Real" Friend

"What is real?" asked the rabbit one day. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you, and a stick out handle?"

"Real isn't how you were made." said the Skin Horse, "it's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become Real.

It doesn't happen all at once." said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time.....Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been rubbed off and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby.

But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real, you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."


This excerpt was from Margery Williams book "The Velveteen Rabbit".

It sums up perfectly how my friends have helped me "Become Real".....especially my cyberspace friends. Isn't it interesting what influences in our lives mould and shape us.

I love the person I have become.....I could never imagine writing that 5 years ago! I feel I have finally woken my soul.

So once again bless you my wonderful Internet friends for helping me "Become Real"!

"A friend is someone who helps you up when you're down, and if they can't, they lay down beside you and listen."


37 comments:

Christine said...

lovely excerpt from the book, Peggy. I'm glad you're comfortable in your own skin now. The internet has changed our lives for sure.

Mike Smith said...

Sorry, what was that...?!

Constance said...

Dear Peg, that quote from that precious book illustrated what you said and meant so well. It is amazing how wonderful blog friends can be, supporting, nurturing, encouraging, insightful - I used to think of it as therapy whenever I turned the computer on :)!
I am so very glad for you - and proud of you - as you are becoming more and more real every day with the inner Peg that is truth.
It is quite an evolvement, and the journey is worth all that goes into it.
((hugs))

McMGrad89 said...

Love it, Peg. I don't remember reading the Velveteen Rabbit. Why is that? I recently started writing a post about friendships, but then deleted because I didn't like the direction was going. Maybe I will try it again soon.

McMGrad89 said...

On another note, Stairway to Heaven is 8 minutes long??? Wow! Those are some mighty long stairs.

Anonymous said...

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[Peggy]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]


You were always you but you just didn't know it!

imbeingheldhostage said...

So inspiring! And I got hear Stairway to Heaven while reading it-- bonus :-)

miruspeg said...

Christine - The internet has definitely changed my life, sometimes for the better and sometimes I am not too sure but its been a very interesting journey.

Mike - This book is a masterpiece. It was published in 1922 and has insights for children and adults alike.

Aurora - Blogging has been really therapeutic for me too. Writing is incredibly therapeutic. Blogging is basically just "public venting," if you think about it. Instead of keeping all those thoughts inside, or just writing them down in a notebook, a blogger makes himself or herself vulnerable and lets the blogosphere have a window into our mind.
Thank you for always being so supportive. :-)

Annemarie - I have a spare copy of The Velveteen Rabbit and will bring it with me when I visit you.
We have been reading this book to the Aboriginal children at the "Learning Ground" where I work each week with great results.

Oh I love your comment about the "Staircase to Heaven"...you are a funny lady! :D

Stoneweaver - Such wise words from a beautiful soul. Wondrous blessings to you, always dear friend. :0)

Jeri - Yes inspiring is the right word for the book, the song AND my internet friends!

Chapter Forty said...

Love the skin you are in...

I have been blogging for nearly 1 year now and you have been here for me on this wonderful journey.

Thank you for your support and friendship. Your wisdom is breath-taking.

miruspeg said...

Awwww your comment warms my soul Chapter Forty! It has been a wonderful year getting to know you and your family.

One day when you are a well known author I can say...I remember when we used to blog together! The wise Peggy knows it is only a matter of time before you are published. :-)

Zz... said...

it's an interesting concept-ever since the advent of all this internet business I often find myself questioning "what is real?"

miruspeg said...

Zhen sometimes I think I know exactly who I am and where I am going and then I get thrown a curve ball and find myself out on a limb struggling to find the real meaning of this journey.

Beth Niquette said...

Oh, my dear--what you say is so true. ((hugs)) You made me cry just now.

Jennifer said...

You wrote a truly beautiful post here. I just lost my train of thought because "Down Under" by Men at Work just came on. I was OBSESSED with this song when I was very young. It was my first record. I played it over and over and over and over. It got me through some tough times. Music is so therapeutic. Right now I absolutely love the song "Kandi" by one eskimo.
I never imagined that I would make friends through my blog. It just didn't occur to me that it was possible. It feels amazing when I come across kindred spirits. It's truly uplifting. I feel blessed to get to know you through your blog. I really can feel your light all the way across this big world.
With Love
Jennifer

xxx said...

Hi Peggy :)
I never realised that you had music playing at your blog and have been delighted by it today.
I guess I rarely have the volume on when blog hopping.

I've had a lovely time here perusing posts that I've missed this morning.
Hope you are having a fun loving weekend as I am.

Keep on loving you :)

best wishes always
Robyn

miruspeg said...

Beth - Crying is so good for the soul...I read that somewhere, I tend to believe it too. Thanks for the hugs!!

Jennifer - I have loved music all my life and would be lost without it. That song "Down Under" is a classic isn't it.
When I started blogging in August 2008 I thought I would only be talking to a few friends I knew who were also blogging. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be meeting so many kindred spirits for all walks of life.
And as an extra bonus be meeting so many of them in person..totally mind-boggling.
I am so pleased you can feel my light...I do send it out to you regularly!

Robyn - Oh you need to visit more often....LOL. I have had music on my blog from day 1.
Thanks for the visit my dear graffiti knitting Aussie friend, you are a REAL inspiration you know!!

Unknown said...

One of my favourite books!
I love my blog friends too...they let me know there are still good people out there.
I'm still in the process of becoming "real" but I like it!

Caroline said...

Oh Peggy!!! This is so beautiful. My goodness, it's been too long since I have been here. You are so real...and amazing! Yay for waking up your soul and feeling so happy.
xoxo

miruspeg said...

Shannon - I am so pleased you loved The Velveteen Rabbit. I am very lucky that I get to read it often...slowly but surely I'm learning the lesson.
Like the rabbit who learned to appreciate that becoming real can take a lifetime and also involved getting hurt. So becoming real one must endure and be patient...that is why it takes a lifetime!

Caroline - I have been following your blog and know you are going through MANY changes.
My favourite song at the moment is "Awake My Soul" by Mumford & Sons. I play it everyday. The words remind me to stay focussed!

"How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know
This weakness I feel I must finally show"

"Where you invest your love, you invest your life"

I'm sending you heaps of light and love to help you through this difficult period. I have NO doubt you will find the balance to enjoy all your favourite things. :-)

Debra said...

Lovely thoughts, as always, dear heart.

How is that the words that we read on a beloved blogger's page can tell us more about them than meeting someone in person several times? Maybe it has something to do with skipping a lot of the "small talk" and reading, through someone's personal words, what really makes them who they are. Maybe it is because we must pause and think about what someone else is saying before we get the chance to respond. Whatever it is, there are some people(You are definitely one of them!) who I feel connected to almost immediately.

You, my friend, are a very "real" friend. Thank you for that. And thank you for sharing your journey with us!

hugs and love,
Debbie

miruspeg said...

You really nailed it Debbie!

Internet friends listen so well and we have time to speak our truth because there are less things getting in the way of communication without the preconceptions about looks, the way we dress, our voice.
It’s a communication between minds, which is generally much more truthful and real.

So from one "real" friend to another I feel very blessed to be taking this journey with you. And meeting you one day is real life will be a dream come true.

Namaste, love and hugs.
Peggy xxxxx

Roban said...

Oh, Peggy, I've missed visiting you here, listening to your music, and reading your thoughtful posts.

But I will see you soon.... live and in person!

Hugs,

miruspeg said...

I have missed you too Roban here in blogland!

The minutes are ticking by and it is only days now before I catch the plane and find myself in a whole new continent.

I am glad you wrote "live and in person"....I certainly hope to arrive live....LOL.

Anonymous said...

Such an honest and well-written post.

miruspeg said...

Such kind words Des.
Hope life is treating you well my friend.
Hugs
Peggy xxx

Christine said...

Peggy have a wonderful 6 weeks away...thanks for stopping by and will think of you.

miruspeg said...

Thanks again Christine for your wonderful friendship. :D

Anyone else reading this. I will be absent from blogging for at least 6 weeks. Off to the USA and Norway to make some virtual friends, real friends!

Once again take care and remember you are loved!

Marit said...

I know you are with a real(ly) good friend right now and I know the two of you are looking forward to an awesome journey! Know that I will be thinking of you while you're "in my neighbourhood". Wishing you a wonderful trip!!!! and YES, I am excited that Holland is in the finals... just don't want to ramble about it on my blog all the time, lots of others do that already ;)

miruspeg said...

Marit, nothing compares to "Real" friends. It would be magic to met up with you in the not too distant future.
Thanks for your well wishes, we will take them with us on our journey.
Take care
Love
Peggy xxxx

Gill said...

WOW I visit your blog for the first time in a while.. and wow your post blew me away :) Glad you are doing well my wonderful friend.x

Gill.x

miruspeg said...

Hey Gill
I am really well thanks mate. Coming to the end of my 4 week holiday in the USA and 2 weeks in Norway. Back home on 15th August.
Meeting so many of my virtual friends has been such a blessing.
Life sure is grand.

I am sure we will meet one day too Gill as the UK is always a place I never tire of visiting.

Big hugs and tons of love. :-)

xxx said...

It is always a pleasure to visit with you and today I am delighted to read of your happiness.

best wishes always
Robyn :)

miruspeg said...

Thanks for popping over again Robyn. Hope all is well with you and your family and the weather is not too cold in Perth.
Keep on shining sweet friend.
Hugs and love coming your way.
Peggy :-)

Marja said...

Oh Peggie what a beautiful touching post. Finally my live gets back to normal and do I have time to visit my beloved friends in cyberspace. It was rewarded as I feel uplifted after reading this. See that you haven't been blogging for a while as well. Hope all is fine. Arohanui, marja

miruspeg said...

Hey Marja, thanks for your kind words. :-)
I just got home this morning from 6 weeks overseas. Four weeks in the USA and 2 weeks in Norway.
So many wonderful memories....met so many beautiful people.
I'll pop over and see what you have been up to.

Chapter Forty said...

Yeah! You're home safe and sound at last. I cant wait to hear all about your holiday. When did you go dancing in the rain?
I have really missed you.

miruspeg said...

Hey Chapter Forty
Yes I am home safe and sound, my angels were with me everywhere I went. I feel blessed beyond words.

Would you believe I was dancing in the rain the second day I arrived in Texas. A huge thunder storm poured down upon us as we were walking around the neighbourhood where I was staying. It was 35 degrees celius and we all danced, laughed and sang together. :-)