Wherever I go, whatever I do and whenever I am faced with major decisions, I rely on two soul sisters. One is the Per-Sister and the other is the Re-Sister. They are a lot like the Doctor Doolittle’s Push-Me/Pull-You, except, in this case, one pushes me forward to pursue my dreams, and the other pulls me back in line when I am about to make a misstep. Together, they give me the balance I need to navigate the course of my life.
The Per-Sister is tenacious. She’s like a terrier with a toy that she won’t let go of. When there is a goal in mind, she reminds me to keep plugging away even after endless rejections, because she believes in me and keeps me believing in myself. And it was my Per-Sister who kept whispering in my ear when I was going through treatment saying in a low voice “Keep going. Fear nothing.” It’s my Per-Sister who gives me the pep talk when I am feeling like the changes I want to make in my life seem to be taking forever. She bops me on the side of my head and says, “Are you crazy? Never give up! You are amazing!”
The Re-Sister takes no prisoners and she takes no impulse moves lightly. She’s a wisecracker who reminds me, “You can try to have it all, but taking it all in at one time will only give you heartburn or heartache, whatever!” She reminds me that I can flirt with Temptation but don’t go all the way. When I impulsively pull out my AMEX card, she asks me why do I need to make the purchase when I need to pay down my debt? When I was dating the Wrong Guy many years ago and sticking with him because he was Better Than Nothing, she sniffed and said, “But you are a Special Person, and you deserve Everything, not Better Than Nothing.” When I am feeling weak at the knees, soft in my heart and uncertain in my mind, me Re-Sister bops me on the other side of the head and says, “Don’t go there; it’s the wrong direction. Hold back until you are stronger in your mind and more certain about where you want to be going. Let me show you a better way.”
Both sisters are very successful. The Per-Sister succeeds because she is confident and focused. Rejection is a detour and not a road block. Obstacles are minor annoyances to overcome. She knocks on closed doors until they open up for you. The Re-Sister knows when to back away from something that is no longer healthy or good for you so your life has more room for what is right. She weighs decisions and moves carefully so you do not end up overburdened. She helps you close the doors that shut you in and hold you back.
Both take a stance on everything I do and between the two of them weighing in, my head rings….with more clarity. And I am fortunate that, unlike flesh and blood sisters, which I do not have, I have these soul sisters living inside of me.
If you are lucky enough to have real sisters or dear friends who play these roles, be grateful. If not, I pass along my two sisters, Per & Re, in spirit, to you. And I share with you the best advice they both ever gave me:
Two Things: If it makes you happy, do it. If it does not, then don’t.
