BY JOELLEN COLLINS
I have mentioned my childhood guru before, but I have been absorbed lately with the voice of that tiny figure, so I shall mention him again. My still small voice within was that of Jiminy Cricket, whose presence I fully believed in after seeing Disney’s “Pinocchio.” He certainly told his wooden puppet friend not to lie, but he was also an imaginary figure on my shoulder for years, reminding me to do the right thing even if no one else noticed. Of course, this philosophy was ingrained because of my parents’ teachings as well, but for years whenever I entertained thoughts of some misbehavior, I called on him.
Now I am at a different stage of life, where I may not be contemplating actions that would harm others or compromise my ethics, but I find myself still listening to the deep, small voices within me, not unlike the Jiminy Cricket of yesteryear.
At this time, I am trying to listen clearly to my positive instincts, a trove of life lessons that I have usually honored in taking steps toward a healthy life journey. Many of the most rewarding experiences I have had were because I chose those paths. I do believe that if we examine our inner selves and our core values, we can occasionally follow paths which may be out of our comfort zones but may offer adventure and change, as long as they allow us to focus on the best instincts we have, in order to know we have lived life as fully as possible.
Thus, I am embarking on a couple of new prospects that I have wanted to do for a long time but delayed because of the usual circumstances that hinder the realization of our inner hopes. First, I am starting to take my dramatic self to children’s birthday parties in the role of Madame Bibi Blavatsky who provides positive fortunetelling. This project is made for me: I miss being with children (I used to be Madame B for years at Halloween and at parties when I was a teacher and administrative assistant.) I am a ham at heart; I also now call myself a storyteller, so I will chance dreaming up some wonderful short stories as I go along. I was afraid to do this earlier, but now feel that I have the time and skills to follow this dream.
The other new event in my life is that I will be gone in the winter, nearer my grandchildren, family and lifelong friends in California. For a while I thought I should just LIVE there, but there is no way I can give up this energetic and supportive community. This is my home, and for nine months a year I can truly enjoy the area I have chosen, the Wood River Valley, with my other daughter, family and friends and fully participate in all the things I find so wonderful about this place, my unique and nurturing environment.