Who am I and what is my purpose in life? Am I as others perceive me to be – or am I something more? When U.S. author Gina Otto spoke of the personal experiences and insights that led to the writing of her bestselling book Cassandra's Angel, those present were encouraged to look within themselves and discover their true identities and break free of the negative perceptions others may have of them.
The interactive session with Gina, organised by the Interact Club of Sri Lanka's only London A Level College – The Study, was held on October 24 at the college premises. On her first visit to Sri Lanka, as part of a world tour organised by the Humpty Dumpty Institute in New York (a non-profit organisation dedicated to resolving the landmine crisis in countries like Sri Lanka), Gina was also here to spread the message in her inspiring book – the lesson that each individual is unique, special and lovable.
After 12 years of an exciting and glamorous career in film production, advertising and the fashion industry, and working with big names in Hollywood and New York City, Gina's life changed one day on the set of a commercial for Diet Coke.
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| Gina Otto |
Looking out into the blue ocean, she realised she was in an industry that used anorexic models to sell Coke to teenage girls. No longer wanting to be a part of the problem, she decided instead to become a part of the solution and quit her job and began to look for ways of inspiring young girls to be confident and happy with the way they were.
In 1995 she started speaking to teenagers about the importance of self-perception and how it is affected by popular culture. She showed them how photographs of models were air-brushed and doctored to make them appear flawless. "This is a multibillion dollar industry that tries to prove there's something wrong with you so that they can sell you something," she told them, "comparing yourself to images will always make you feel that you are not enough. But right now – you're enough."
For Rowena Jayaweera (15), the session with Gina was an enlightening experience that she wished she could have shared with more friends.
"When I first read the book, I felt it was talking directly to me," she says, "I felt that since I was actually supposed to be doing something here, why not go ahead and do it. I only wish she could visit more schools during her time here."
Cassandra's Angel, is about letting go of the negative 'stories' that impact our lives – the attitudes and beliefs of parents, teachers and peers which sometimes lead us to think less of ourselves. The story revolves around a little girl who just can't seem to get anything right, until an angel shares a secret that changes the way she looks at others and herself.
"I thought Gina's story was very influential, and personally it meant a lot to me as I hope to go into the field of psychology," says Saashya Rodrigo (17). "It also made me realise that the way we treat other people affects their perception of themselves."
"It was an interesting presentation, and Gina read very well," reflects Janeen Fernando (20), adding however, that the issues she discussed were perhaps more relevant to an urban society more exposed to such things.
Initially rejected by several publishers, Cassandra's Angel went on to become a best-seller many times over, with women buying it first for their children, and then again for their friends. For Gina the book is just a vehicle to get out and inspire young girls – "simply a way to tell our 'stories.'"
Having visited schools and orphanages in Jaffna, Trincomalee and other parts of the island as part of her tour, Gina has been deeply touched by the kindness of the people as well as the hardships they have to endure. She believes that by creating a global connection, a network of people reaching out to each other, true understanding and empathy between human beings can be achieved.
And as she writes in Cassandra's Angel, 'You are never just what they believe you to be.
You are even more than you think that you see. It's not what you do – it's about who you are, for you are as bright as the sky's brightest star."
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