Beatrice Potter is a wonderful icon for women. Tonight I saw Miss Potter, the movie. The movie is about her life as a woman, and a writer of children’s books. Of particular note is the fact that Miss Potter was discouraged by her mother as well as society at large from pursuing her dream of publishing her animal stories for children. She held fast to her dream and eventually her books sold more copies than any other children’s books in the world. What amazing perseverence.
Actually, Beatrice Potter started writing and telling her stories and making the drawings when she was a child. She held on to them through many years-years of frustrating and humiliation. Society in England in those days did not cast a favorable eye on the single woman. She was vehement that she would not marry just to marry. So single, still living at home, escorted by a chaperone at agd 32, she finally found a publisher who would publish one of her books. Her mother received the news with less than a positive response.
I could tell you the whole story, but you will have more fun going to the movies or renting the DVD and seeing the story for yourself.
Remember: A sure fire pathway to success is to hold fast to your dream and pursue it! It may take years and refinements, even major alterations, but you can get there! Miss Potter’s little animals are still helping children laugh and feel understood to this very day!
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, Positive Psychologist and Happiness Coach, www.enchantedself.com
