Being Real and Velveteen Principles/Velveteen Rabbit
The book by Toni Raiten-D’Antonio, Velveteen Principles, is a lovely adult book for those who loved the Margery Williams’ book The Velveteen Rabbit as a child or have wanted to become Real as an adult. For those who somehow missed out on the Velveteen Rabbit, it’s a classic parable that inspires reflection and reminds us of our heartfelt longings to grow beautiful and valuable and be loved for who we are, our Real selves. It promotes the value of love, empathy and compassion and encourages us to struggle against what is artificial or superficial. It urges you to see the many ways we are pressured to abandon what is Real, the price you may pay if you do, and the merits of reclaiming everything that makes you a unique and Real individual.
While the Dalai Lama says that our job is to be happy, I contend that we must be real in order to truly be happy. Undoubtedly, HHR, the Dalai Lama would agree.
So, what does it mean to be Real? To paraphrase the skinhorse in the Velveteen Rabbit, Real is what happens when you are your true self and are loved despite, or perhaps because of, your imperfections.
Velveteen Principles by Toni Raiten-D’Antonio points to a safe and steady course towards peace, self-acceptance, and true love. In my experience, self-acceptance is a gateway to happiness and peace and is also a prerequisite for a healthy happy love relationship.
2 responses so far ↓
Meagan Ortiz // April 13, 2009 at 5:39 pm |
Very nice explanation of the Velveteen Rabbit. It has given me more of an insight as to what i may include in my assigned essay in which I am to answer the personnal question, “Are you ‘Real?’ ” I think your paraphrasing on the skinhorse was accurate and most important in this explanation. Thanks.
thrivelocity // April 14, 2009 at 7:27 am |
Hi Meagan,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. What the skinhorse said also speaks of unconditional love!
Good luck with your writing.