Chapter 34
Two Moments of Recognition
Valancy had two wonderful moments that spring. One day, coming home through the woods, with her arms full of trailing arbutus and creeping spruce, she met a man who she knew must be Allan Tierney. Allan Tierney, the celebrated painter of beautiful women. He lived in New York in winter, but he owned an island cottage at the northern end of Mistawis to which he always came the minute the ice was out of the lake. He was reputed to be a lonely, eccentric man. He never flattered his sitters. There was no need to, for he would not paint…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Validation Network
Draw a simple map of the people whose opinions about you actually matter. Put yourself in the center, then add circles around you for different people. Next to each person, write what kind of validation they provide and whether their judgment helps or hurts your growth. Finally, identify any gaps—areas where you need validation but don't have trusted sources.
Consider:
- •Some validators see your potential, others only your past mistakes
- •The most helpful validators combine honesty with genuine care for your wellbeing
- •You might be seeking validation from people who can't or won't provide it
Journaling Prompt
Write about someone who saw something good in you before you saw it yourself. What did they notice, and how did their recognition change how you saw yourself?
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