Becoming REAL Hurts

"...once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

Honestly, if you've never read THE VELVETEEN RABBIT by Margery Williams, you really should. This classic is a beautiful representation of how it's only when we have been through times that wear us down--bring scars and other things that might be considered ugly--that we become our Real selves. It is our trials and tribulations that make us who we are in life and give us the understanding of what it is to FEEL alive. 

Many of us have heard that we can't know true JOY until we have known true SADNESS. It is the same with THE VELVETEEN RABBIT: this adorable stuffed animal couldn't know true LOVE--couldn't be Real--until he had experienced life to the degree that it wears him down. 

I love this story because it is a wonderful reminder of the fact that Loving is difficult--it can hurt, but in spite of the hurt--the wounds--Love is worth it--there is NOTHING greater than Loving and Being Loved.

I also remember this sweet story because when I was in middle school, a friend of mine, Roger ? (I so wish I could remember his last name), was in the play and my parents and I went to see it. Roger seemed very pleased that I had gone to see his performance. I think it was the first play I'd ever seen. 

Where I got the picture: http://beautyisinside.com/2013/04/the-velveteen-rabbit/