Seeing the World Through Rose Colored Glasses

I am listening to a book on Audible called “What Alice Forgot” by Liane Moriarty. It is fascinating so far, very well written and thought provoking.

The premise is an almost 40 year old woman, Alice, hits her head and cannot remember the last 10 years of her life. It delves into the changes in our personalities that happen over time as our life experiences harden and change us. She wakes up in a world that she doesn’t recognize and has become a person she doesn’t think she likes very much.

I am not very deep into the story, but I identify with a lot of what she is feeling. This hike, this dream has already begun to peal back some of the callouses of the ‘real world’.  I have begun to rely on the kindness of strangers with promises of rides, meals, and showers, and on fellow hikers sharing information,suggestions, and advice.  More than once I have been surprised by the instant feeling of comradery with like minded souls, some of whom I have not even met in person.  These things do not happen very often in the ‘real world’.  But they should…  Watch out here come those rose colored glasses…

I do not know what is going to happen when Alice’s memories return. Will she immediately revert to the person that she had become or will she choose to remember the younger version of herself, the one who is vulnerable and unguarded.  What about me? Will my experiences on the trail permanently change who I am or will it only be a temporary softening?   Maybe softening is a poor word choice.  It is more of an opening, allowing myself to be vulnerable, and in need of the kindness of others.  It feels good to admit that I need assistance in this monumental task.  It feels good to know that there are people out there looking at the world with the same rose colored glasses that I continue to wear…

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