Transforming Today's World Magazine Volume 3 Issue 4 | Page 44

“I had so many dreams as a child. At about 14 years of age, something just happened to me inside. I decided to get myself together. I went on a healthy diet, lost a lot of weight, and decided to focus my life on the theater. However, my school life did not improve. I was actually dismissed from The Hockaday School in Dallas at age16. Looking back, I guess it was a blessing, because it made me want to succeed, to prove myself. So, I went on to receive a Master’s degree in Acting and Directing. AftergraduationIbecametheassistant director, in the Palo Alto Children’s Theater in Palo Alto, California. I just set my vision on what I wanted to do in life. I just went out and did it- I had to. I was driven to succeed, and prove my self worth to myself. I really am grateful for my childhood. It made me the woman I am today. All the pain and hardship created a true desire in my heart to help others. I began writing children’s books to help parents and children discover who they truly are. I didn’t want to see one person have to give up their dream, like my mother did. The key to a good and happy life, is to be able to discover your talents and self worth, then go on to use them for the better good of all. When I wrote, “The Wizard of Oz Is In You,” I wanted children to realize that everything they wanted and desired they already possessed. It was already inside of them. They just had to discover their talents and develop them. Both of my books are interactive and are designed to create true communication between adults and children. For instance, in The Wizard of Oz Is In You, Dorothy’s’ Ruby slippers represent a childs’talents. By using a classic fairytale, and developing interactive questions between parent and child in modern times, children can discover their talents in a magical fun way. When we use our gifts we are happy people- especially when we help our fellow man.” didn’t like school because I was always so far behind. I began to bury my feelings in food, and became very heavy. (Barbara is now a size zero!) I endured horrendous teasing on the bus every day. The kids would yell out “fatty, fatty.” It was so hurtful. It was compounded by the fact that I didn’t do well in school. I guess the only self worth I experienced, was becoming a nurturer to my younger sister Peggy. Since our home life was very sad and dysfunctional, I could refer to myself as“co-dependant.”However, I feel there is a very positive side WRITTEN BY: FREYA PRUITT to being a nurturer.” 44 Woman TEXAS FREDERICKSBURG www.fbgwoman.com