Hi all, From reading your posts, I’m happy and relieved to see that most of the books recommended are fiction. It seems we live in a predominantly nonfiction world these days, but it also seems that the books that have the most profound effect on us in our lives are fiction. We need our stories. I made a blog post recently called “Why read fiction?” (www.susangabriel.com/blog) and the research I found says that reading fiction can make you smarter, more empathetic, and savvier in social situations, as well as in relationships. Is this as hopeful to you as it is to me? Go fiction!

Lily, Thanks for reminding me to take action. It may seem like this is just about saving one elephant, but I wonder if it’s not really about saving all of us. I think we all have aspects of ourselves that used to be wild and free that somehow got captured and seemingly tamed by the expectations of other people or by society. In one way or another, I think we all need sanctuary.

Yes, I agree, Lorraine. This is quite a reality check for the Western world. I read somewhere that an artist/writer must not flinch when revealing the truth. If that’s the case, perhaps Ashley Judd is a true artist.

May we all be that witty and ALIVE when we are 82. Thanks for being a role-model, Cloris!

I think our only real hope for “change” is if he did pick a woman as his running mate.

We can always count on you, Liz, to tell it like it is. A down-to-earth assessment, as always.

I live in Colorado, in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, and go up to Rocky Mountain National Park several times a month. The towering peaks, snow-capped except for the short summer months; the elk herds grazing in alpine meadows filled with wildflowers; the raptors soaring on the wind currents; an occasional coyote, or two or three; bluebirds in the aspen trees…. The exquisite “wild”ness of it all leaves me in awe every time I visit.

This is a good question. I think what has surprised me the most is that I can still surprise myself. Just when I think I have myself all figured out, some new event or circumstance creates an even deeper understanding of what makes me, me. Every day I get a little clearer about what inspires me (as well as what doesn’t), what encourages me, and what exactly in my life I feel passionate about. It also surprises the hell out of me that I have a book published and that people seem to like it; some even love it. Go figure.

Thanks for this link, Mr. Peterson. It’s a fascinating read. Susan Gabriel

Hi everyone, I’ve been on both sides of the couch, so to speak. I’ve both been in therapy for years (I was raised in the South, doesn’t that say it all?) and I am former psychotherapist who had a full practice for years. All I can say is that if the match is a good one, healing can and does take place. It’s a shame healthcare costs have to play a part at all. But that is the reality of the situation. As far as whether to talk about your therapy or not, I think it depends. Talking about it to someone who may be critical of the process can be destructive. Talking to someone who has compassion and empathy can be encouraging. Over all, though, I believe that while issues are actively being worked on, it is better to contemplate the healing process rather than talk about it too much. There’s my 2 cents. (I’m much cheaper these days since I retired the couch.)

I will add my voice to the many. Thank you wOw for putting this together. I look forward to being a part of it.

I love the backbone in this piece. The unwillingness to give up. I am an author, as well, and whenever someone asks me what I do and I tell them, I often get from them a sort-of glazed-over look, as if I am the third person to identify themselves that way today. Their eyes narrow slightly and I imagine them wondering: Is she a serious writer? Or is this just a passing phase? Aunt Mildred had a passing phase. She wrote silly poems about woodchucks…. Then, as the glaze clears, I see a secondary thought: But she looks so normal.

Women’s rights, as well as democracy, seems to have an ebb and flow that we cannot control. However, it seems the tide is changing and to a lot of us that is good news. Thank you for this intelligent, thought-provoking article.

My favorite relatives are my (grown) daughters, as well. Life would be so different, so ordinary, without them. Ms. Wells, I also liked what you said about your mother. I think my daughters will be the ones to say the same things about me. They have watched me strive to beat the odds. However, my greatest success is that they know how much I love and value them.