Post from Sam -- Reply to Sue

It has only been the reconnection my Gang O' Goddesses that has truly made me feel -- usually, almost but not quite always -- safe with my beauty. Only 4 years ago I hated going into the field because I'd get hit on. Don's love, of course, does wonderful things for me. Always has. Being surrounded by strong women who celebrate and love and support me, who aren't jealous or the least bit intimidated by me, who only want the best for me -- that's done a great deal to truly make me feel safe in my own skin, and not guilty for attracting attention. I'm prosaic enough to know that being attractive is a benefit in my field, and will both (usually) help and sometimes hinder therapeutic relationships. I do still struggle with being on the receiving end of jealousy here though. People bitch that I don't get yelled at the way they do -- at least that jealousy is behavior based, and certainly not about my outward appearance. It's unfair, but I don't feel as guilty about it as I do about other jealousies.