The Giving Tree.

I have always loved reading.

Mostly, I read non-fiction, but I am not limited to other genres.

I would read toilet paper if necessary.

I love to read.

To be honest, I am unashamed, and moreover proud, to say one of my favorite writers of all time, is the late, great, Shel Silverstein.

His prophetic and moral lessons, crammed into quick, quaint, and catchy prose are my favorite reads.

One book in particular, really striking and poignant to me is: The Giving Tree.

I have read this book many, many times.

I have read this book many, many, more times to my children.

The story to me, demands to be dissected, explored and discussed.

Sometimes we find ourselves in relationships where we keep giving up pieces of ourselves so freely, to try and make someone happy, that we forget how much of ourselves we are losing in the process.

And when we do see it, it's too late, and there's nothing left.

Our willingness to continue to give, while seeking adornment, and worth, not being recognized, and appreciated, but instead, creating a greedy unappreciative monster.

Don't give and give and give, and think that will make someone happy.

The tale serving as a reminder to not allow yourself to be reduced to pieces, because it will only lead down a dangerous path.

The substance being that you are whole, and you are were and always will be enough.

The concept saying, the whole you have to give,

and don't adopt the belief you need to sell it off piece by piece, to get someone to come back.

To feel loved.

Admired.

Respected.

Adored.

Appreciated.

The right person will see that you are the whole package from the beginning, and will not request your dissection to prove it.

The right person will not use your assets for their gain.

They will not slowly bleed you dry until there is nothing left, except for heartbreak, misunderstanding, and sorrow.

The right partner will not rob you of your identity in small spurts, only for them to remain unfulfilled, and demand more.

Do not become confused, and think your continuous gifts will make them happy, because it's only destroying yourself.

All the while empowering the taker to ask for more, and more, and more.

Take more and more and more.

So tread lightly in your gifting to another.

You don't want to whittle yourself down for someone, only to realize the only thing you gave, and lost, was you.

Make sure you aren't being slowly robbed of your self worth for another.

The right person will see you as the sum of all of your parts, without having to take you apart, little by little, to prove your worth TO THEM.

Be true to you.

Always.

Xoxo,

C.