Write of Hand: Be True To Yourself

I remember the ads well.

I should. I filled them out every time I saw them, and pretended I was sending them in.

I would write the strange sentences, which twisted my little gray brain around the specified ball point pen at least twice, and I then signed my name with a flourish. I would fold it up and put it in my pocket, wishing I had ten dollars to send it off to the old guy with the ad in back of Parade Magazine. The Graphologist. The handwriting expert.

In the ad, one older man had written a testimonial for the expert. He said, "At last, I can tell my family that I am not who they say I am, but I am who I've always known myself to be; a good man. A sane man. A man of character and wisdom. A man whose pure heart is filled with goodness, and whose skull is brimful and flowing over with shiny thoughts and lovely dreams." That wasn't really what it said, but it was similar. I would have liked to hear those good things, had I sent my handwriting in. However, what I was afraid of hearing was this: "Here is your official certification. You are nuts. Absolutely."

Now fly over my crazy life to today. (Don't look down; it's sort of scary where you are right about now. Woops! How'd that get in there?)

For quite a while,  I've been following a graphologist named Bart Baggett online, checking in on his website http://www.handwritinguniversity.com/, and receiving weekly newsletters and videos about the curious subject of handwriting analysis. One day recently, I saw that I could sign up for Bart's exciting "Handwriting Analysis 101" course for a really great price, and also finally get a genuine, bonified handwriting analysis via telephone, from a real live professional. I didn't waste a minute. It was my birthday present to myself.

I got my materials from the university which included some videos and cd's, a starter book, access to lots of online "members only" information, and the prize I'd been longing for, the coveted Grapho-Deck, a deck of cards with handwriting traits on them for quick reference.

I sent in lots of handwriting samples and made my phone appointment for the analysis. Then I studied and waited.

I just got my analysis yesterday. From Bart Baggett, himself. Yep. After waiting for so many years, I got my handwriting analysis from the real expert, teacher and my handwriting hero, Bart Baggett. It was indeed a thrill for me. Now you want to know what the verdict is, don't you? (Especially after the little incident you saw while flying over my life...)

Well, the verdict was pretty good. First and foremost, though I am a moody sort, I am not crazy. I repeat. NOT crazy. (Okay. Just between you and me, a wee little bit "dramatic".) Next, I am a communicator, a lover of words. Also, I'm a nice person. Me and that old guy who wrote into the other old guy so many years ago.

Of course, Bart had more to say to me than just those things, but handwriting analysis is a personal thing, and aside from my husband and my very best friends, big sis, little sis's, and Molly, I'm going to keep it to myself.

I have a couple of bad habits that didn't show up in my handwriting. They're secrets, but since you just flew over my life, I might as well tell you about them:
One, I have unkind conversations with myself. I say things to poor Deber that I would never say to others. They aren't true, but I do it anyway. (Actually, I don't now. I quit yesterday, after talking to Bart.)
Two, I tend to believe what others think of me, or what I think they think of me. Even if I know better, I ponder over it. "It must be true. Otherwise, why would anyone think such things?"

Well, to be quite frank, little Sugar Cube, my dear old Mama taught me this: Some folks believe things that are not true. They think such things because people have to fill their brains up with something. If there's no information to put in there because they don't know you very well, they just might make something up to suit themselves. After all, no one likes an empty head bouncing around on top of their neck. Otherwise, everything is lose up there, and rattles and squeeks as they walk.

This is what I want you to remember, cutie-pie. Don't underestimate yourself or be afraid of the secrets that may be hidden in your script and in that wrinkled little thing called Brain. Everything may not be perfect in there, but you probably know yourself better than you think you do. People who don't know you may underestimate you and put you in a box that doesn't fit.

Don't let what others think of you, or what you perceive others think of you, define you. Don't let yourself be dragged into the trap of being less than you were created to be. You know who you are. You know in your heart that you are capable of wonderful things. Believe in yourself. Be nice to yourself. Be true to yourself and to others.

Then be the best that you can be. Doesn't matter where you are. Doesn't matter what limitations are in your world. Doesn't matter if you're just starting out or winding down after a long, hard race.

It will show when you write your name. You will know it in your heart.

Love,
Deber