REM review, part 1

I just got my first edition of Rethinking Everything Magazine, and I have read the first five articles--some written by men, some by women, young and older, just so you know. I wanted to write this half review in the midst of my fresh initial impression.

Firstly, some part of each article spoke to me, which I suppose signifies the universal nature of our needs, but in this case, my identification with the writers went further than that. I laughed and said, "This is a magazine for me!" which is a private joke, but I'll explain in parentheses (The Henry VIII character in The Tudors TV show declared, "This is a book for me!," when he discovered Luther's book, which subsequently changed Henry's outlook.)

I found parts in common with each writer. For example, like one of the writers, I had a first marriage with a partner who didn't want children, yet I wanted so desperately to have them. I left that marriage and entered a new one, only to have difficultly conceiving and miscarriages. Like another writer, I informed myself and stubbornly made my own decisions in childbirth and parenting, despite an unsupportive, discouraging community. Like another writer, I have experienced the life-changing loss of a loved one. Like another, I felt phony in the work world. Like another, I identified with coming from an unconventional upbringing and even with gaining something from a video game, a new experience for me . . . .

I really value this type of identification with others who share their stories, because I get to find out how they responded, which might be just the thing I need in my situation.

I didn't know if I would like the digital format, but I did. I liked the artistic design and enjoyed the surprise of embedded videos.

Well, I'm going eagerly back to reading.

Go to Part 2 of the review »