I am reading Ariel Gore's "Bluebird: Women and the New Psychology of Happiness" for the first time. The fact that it's taken me this long to get to it...moreI am reading Ariel Gore's "Bluebird: Women and the New Psychology of Happiness" for the first time. The fact that it's taken me this long to get to it is a bit of an embarrassment, as Ariel is both a friend, a peer, and she mentioned me in the book itself!
Another reason it's ridiculous it's take me this long to get to it is that Ariel is, I believe, one of the great writers of our generation. Utterly and easily readable, she makes a topic that could be stilted and distant deeply and personally accessible to her readers.
Employing her trademarks of personal revelation, inclusivity, and dry wit, Ariel takes the reader on an engaging and thorough journey through the history and application of the technologies and application of inspiring hope and joy in our lives, all the while gently dispelling the notion that we can easily "create our own realities".
Taking the blame off women for our conditioning to please, Ariel gives us the long-needed permission to access the full range of our emotions. I say long-needed because part of getting to true joy is the recognition of true pain, and true dissatisfaction.
Ariel's tone and flowing, conversational style make this book read like a conversation with a dear friend, yet is peppered with astute critical analysis on everything from the concept of, "you create your own reality", to the often subtle cultural indoctrination of girls and women to create a "pleasant" environment, instead of creating waves.
Ariel's strength and vulnerability offer a thread of personalized tenderness that allows us to experience our own rage, and recognize our own joy, through her stories and the stories of other women.
As a teacher, activist, and "living out loud" feminist, I find in the pages of Bluebird an opportunity to inquire more deeply into the areas where I give over my voice, shy away from my own strength in order to make those around me more "comfortable", and allow myself to fall into patterns of care-taking, when taking care of myself would be a better choice.
Thank you, Ariel, for writing yet another world-changing book. You are a beacon of cultural change, and I deeply love and respect you for it. (less)
Great read on American Musalimahs. Amazing bios on Muslim women from all walks of life by a highly qualified journalist who is also a very fluid and e...moreGreat read on American Musalimahs. Amazing bios on Muslim women from all walks of life by a highly qualified journalist who is also a very fluid and engaging author.
I read some of the stories all the way through, and many I skimmed. (less)
I read and reread this book. I wrote it, and offered courses based on the flow of the chapters. It has stood the test of time, and I'm grateful I stil...moreI read and reread this book. I wrote it, and offered courses based on the flow of the chapters. It has stood the test of time, and I'm grateful I still get letters telling me how much Sexy Witch has affected lives.
The book is on the shelf for me, as I finally taught my final round of classes based on Sexy Witch in 2010. However, Sexy Witch groups are being facilitated by passionate readers in Chile, the US, Europe, and Canada. I couldn't be more honored.(less)
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