There’s a movie called “The Three Faces of Eve”.  Welcome Wednesday!  There’s a corollary here; call it the two faces of Nikki.  The premise is different; Eve had major personality disorders.  Conditions were diagnosed according to the American Psychiatric Association guidelines.  You may ponder whether the Nikkster’s situation is two-thirds of Eve’s.  Maybe I resemble that remark.

Let’s get to the point.

“Yes, let’s!”

For years the second face – Nikki – was a stranger or better explained as an undiscovered commodity. No not like the commodities traded on the COMDEX.  Okay let’s try using the term “Ingredient”.  Nikki is an ingredient in my life.

“Isn’t Nikki you?”

Yes she is and I am she.  She is also a creation, one with unalienable rights.  She lives and breathes.

“Why are you talking about her in the third person?”

No disrespect meant – she was never the third person.  For many years she was the second person.  Now she’s the first person.

Discovery is a wonderful thing.  Reflecting on the revelation I marvel at how comfortable I am in this second become first person.  Sure, every day poses challenges.  Converting challenges to prose assuages the weight and complexity of situations – not all situations.  Life doesn’t work that way; at least not my life.

Start by opening the door to the creativity in you.  Not feeling creative?  Feeling as if you were absent that day?  For most, creativity is nascent, dormant, hibernating.  Awakening comes when you are ready.  You suppress or repress unconsciously until you are prepared to deal.  I’m not insinuating a gamble.  Conversely I’m opining on the need to enable, allow, address and acknowledge.

Unshackle yourself.  The world imposes artificial barriers.  They are called conformity.  You know, you’ve experienced them.

Go ahead, break out.  Tear down the fence.  Breach the concertina wire.  Disable the security system and wander beyond the perimeter of your comfort zone.  I think you’ll discover (there’s that word again) your comfort zone is broader than you thought.  What’s the old saw “Nothing ventured nothing gained”?  You know that’s the case.  You’ve pushed limits.  Yes, you may have been rebuked.  Should that deter you?  Depends upon how intrepid you are; how strong is the pull of adventure and discovery.

The pull is different for each of us.  I expended great volumes of energy to suppress and repress.  That expenditure is taxing, draining and borderline debilitating.  Had I the opportunity to relive portions of my life I would welcome the opportunity.  Following my advise I don’t look back to yearn.  I look back to learn.

I’m better educated about my life today than I was three years ago.  That’s accomplishment on my scale of success.  How do you measure success?

Take stock in yourself.  Inventory your self-worth and then take a bolt cutter to the lock on the gate of your ring fenced life. Don’t be artificially restrained.  It’s your life.  Make the most of it

Love and hugs, Nikki Nicole DeCaro