Growing up in traditionalism as I did, I found my freedom and voice later in life. I discovered that I could be so much more than a wife or mother. I COULD BE ANYTHING I WANTED TO BE. An old refrain certainly; it’s old because it’s TRUE! Don’t do it someday, DO IT TODAY!
I began my adult life standing in the second-hand light of a man. [traditional, remember?] Years later, I figured out that I couldn’t change, fix, repair or control another human being, as hard as I might try. I learned that the only person I could fix or change was me! And I am grateful every day for that lesson. I learned that I must never feel responsible or guilty over another human being’s actions. I am not responsible. I can feel sadness, when someone I love is stuck in self-generated depression and defeat. I will be there for them if they reach out for help but I am not responsible for their behavior. Another lesson hard earned.
In the first forty years of my life I loved everyone else and forgot all about me. I had been taught that loving and caring for oneself was ‘selfish’. Then a light shone out of a personal tragedy [suicide of a loved one] and it taught me the lesson of self-love. Learning to love yourself is the greatest lesson of all. I couldn’t truly love anyone else if I didn’t take the time to love and care for myself. How simple it sounds and how difficult it is to accomplish. Embracing that truth gave me my life back.
Education and knowledge is power: I am powerful and lead my life how I choose, answering only to myself. And with that accountability I have become a better, gentler person. Without judgment [or hardly any as I am human after all] I smile when I observe another human being’s foolishness for there go I. I keep my mouth shut when I observe someone learning their lessons. If asked I try not to tell the person what they should do, and how they should do it. Rather, I share my experiences and how I resolved [or didn’t] a particular challenge.
Finally, the Universe is only waiting for you to ask for something. My Universe is waiting to deliver to me whatever I desire and am ready to receive. Nothing is withheld; I have only to ask with a true heart. Whether it is wisdom, gratitude, love, health, friends, money or success, it’s mine for the asking.
Sixteen years ago, after a life time in theatre, my heart said, ‘I want to write a play about a tragedy that was happening to some very dear friends. Maybe someday my play will give solace to other parents going through a similar ordeal.’ Today I have written several stage plays, two books of poetry, a series of children’s fables and a contemporary novel. The Universe delivered my heart’s desire and continues to do so every day and I am filled with gratitude. ~~~~Trisha Sugarek, Author www.writeratplay.com
Playwright, author, poet, Trisha Sugarek has been writing for five decades. Until recently her writing focused on play writing that ranged from prison stories to children’s fables. She has expanded her body of work to include two books of poetry, and a group of children’s books.
She has recently completed her first contemporary novel “Women Outside the Walls” and a second book of Haiku poetry. Her original brush and ink artwork will illustrate the book. All of her work can be found on her web site www.writeratplay.com ordered at Samuel French.
A new series, “ShortN’Small” offers individual short one act plays, small casts, no set, and no costumes.
Trisha has enjoyed a thirty year career in theatre as actor, director and writer. For three years she had her own theatre/performing arts company in Texas. Originally from Seattle, she has worked in theatres from coast to coast. Her plays have been produced across the country and Samuel French has published four of her plays to date. A text book is being written in Argentina to teach English using Trisha’s body of work. Trisha lives in Savannah, Georgia with her three golden retrievers.