This Theme in Reads: Relationships

Another book down the hatch and this one was...a little slow to say this least. Most, if not all, books I read have a driving plot that makes it a page-turner. "Waiting to Exhale", written by Terry McMillan, is a story of four women living their lives that centers around their friendship, but more about their desires to find a suitable partner. All four women are very relatable characters. Savannah, a level-headed woman who parades around as a woman focused on her career aspirations, but occasionally lets it known that she heavily desires a relationship. Gloria, a woman who early on made her focus on providing the best life possible for her child.  Bernadine, a woman whos dreams, and desires were undervalued and suppressed by her husband's internalized insecurities and vision of success. Lastly, Robin...oh precious Robin. She goes on continuing to be fooled by the lies and promises of a man while trying to visualize her perfect life into existence. 

This wasn't a hard read, but it wasn't the kind of book that I found myself wanting to read outside of my commute to and from work. It is well written and perhaps leaves you without that "escape from the world" feeling because these women and their lives are so real. So this theme in reads is relationships.

Lessons to be Learned From Savannah

1. Don't be afraid to tell your committed partner your feelings.

2. When you're feeling lonely, the man telling you what you want to hear may be playing games.

3. Persist in making your aspiritations come true.

Lessons to be Learned from Gloria

1. Don't let fear keep you sheltered.

2. Prioritze your health, including finding a proper work-life balance.

3. Invest in your kids grades and future.

Lessons to be Learned from Robin

1. Cherish the relationship you have with your family because it can sneak up on you and end.

2. Don't fool yourself and believe a known liar over the woman in your life who have your best interest at heart.

3. Open your heart for a different type of relationship.

Lessons to be Learned from Bernandine

1. Don't let one in a marriage dominate over you. Marriage is a partnership where both, not one, are to make sacrifices for the other.

2. Make sure you have good people around you to help you through the hard times.

3. Protect your children while you are going through a divorce so they can form their own opinions of their parent.