Clan of the Cave Bear

When I was in my teen's I read the six book series "The Clan of the Cave Bear". (Jean M. Auel) Years later I was able to purchase the set for my personal library, but have yet to read the series in its entirety again. 

Ayla is a blond blue eyed girl who is adopted by a clan who looks nothing like her. She learns their ways as she matures into a woman, but its impossible for her to be anything other than who she is always meant to be. This makes her an accepted outsider by the clan. 

I feel for Ayla. As much as she wants to please her clan, she is unable to let go of her soul...of herself. The entire series reminds the reader to stay true to yourself at all costs. This resonated with me in my teens as it does now. 

I understand that I am accepted outsider. My assurity that I remain faithful to my soul above all else sets me apart, and to be honest, I am fine with that. I explain why in my book "The Sun Neither Rises nor Sets". 

For me to be anything other than loyal to my soul would bring me unnecessary strife. My purpose, all of our purpose, is to find our soul and then use that wisdom to help others find their soul. We cannot do that when we try to be anything other than we are meant to be. To thine own self be true. If that makes you an accepted outsider, so be it, there are many of us out there who are an accepted insider where it counts the most.