Saturday, November 26, 2005

Book Review

Today, I found a rather negative review had been posted on the site that Journey Into Being, A Beginning is being sold. http://www.lulu.com/zarebatoo. It upset me rather more than I thought it should so I had to sit down and examine it to determine why.

What it comes down to is this. I gathered together the writings and published the book because I wanted to share my personal Journey with others so that they would know that they are not alone, and to perhaps help to point them toward their own path. It is truly from the heart, a little bit of me in every word. I put myself out there spiritually naked for all to see, but that was not the reason the review made me angry.

After pondering for some time, I realized that I was angry because that review might turn someone away from the book without checking to see if it was something that they could identify with and perhaps gain insight from. My DH assures me that this will not happen, that one mediocre review will not defeat my purpose in publishing, and I find that I do agree with him. Those who can gain from it will find it.

Funny how even after all these years, anger can still come up and blind side a person. It also reinforces my belief that anger is not a true emotion. When we look behind it, we always find another face peeking out. Sometimes it is fear, or embarrassment, or disappointment, or other emotions we do not want to deal with. Most often, though, it is fear that I find behind the mask of anger.

When you find yourself angry over something, stop and examine that anger. You may be very surprised at what you will find there. The greatest benefit in this exercise is that once identified, anger usually slinks off into the darkness, leaving you more aware and in control than before. Each time you confront it, it is easier to banish.

4 comments:

Nina said...

I am glad that you are looking at it that way. There will always be those who just don't get it. That is okay, I tend to avoid reviews, because then you miss out on a lot of good things.

George Breed said...

Yes, a review simply reveals the state and quality of consciousness of the reviewer.

I have little time for those who sit on the sideline and critique those who are deeply in the game.

I appreciate your willingness to sit with your anger, Zareba, and turn the experience into a lesson for us all.

Zareba said...

Thanks Nina, I know it is impossible to please everyone and there will always be critics. I don't need to have everyone like or agree with me, I just get ticked with those who have to stand on the heads of others to feel good about themselves. It damages everyone.

Zareba said...

Thank you, George. The words above the Oracle at Delphi said "Know thyself". I'm still working on it.

...Z