Change the World

I was reminded today of how awful the world can be.  Then I wondered what I'm doing to change it.

The above quote was a Facebook status I posted about a month ago. I had a really hard day. I was emotionally drained and society wasn't offering any sort of relief. However, I always try to offer alternative perspectives in everything I do, and this situation was no exception. The world felt bad... What am I doing about that?

It's human nature to only see one side of the picture. When someone hurts you, you only see their faults. When we mess up, we're often able to justify our mistakes by offering a reason for why we acted or reacted a certain way. However, we don't allow others this same justification. We have to be aware of when we make mistakes (and acknowledge that we do make mistakes) before we can point fingers at those around us.  Really, we shouldn't have much right to point fingers at all if we're acknowledging our own faults. 

Now, back to the quote. I posted this a month ago, so why am I blogging about it now? Well, this week I went home for a few days. Usually this is a great relief for me. I love being able to see my family and friends and having some time away from work. And I did have an awesome time. However, life kicked me in the gut the entire time I was there. Home is bittersweet for me. I have a lot of relationships there that are wonderful. I also have a lot of damage there that still hurts. The pain of going home is usually masked by the joy of spending time with the people I love. This time, it wasn't. I've been thinking a lot about what I left behind when I chose to live my life with Jordan. It wasn't much, really. A father that did more damage to me than anyone else in my life. A step-mother who betrayed my trust and diminished every ounce of confidence I ever had in myself. A church that, once on the outside, I realized was not biblically sound. And my sister. My sister is someone I avoid talking about as much as possible. It's just too painful to rehash our story. Let's suffice it to say that she was the most beautiful person inside and out and she is the only thing I regret leaving behind. However, for reasons outside of any one's control, I will never see her again.  The world can be awful. 

So what am I doing to change it? I try to be a good person and help people when I can. I give all I have in me to the people I meet. I lend my heart to those around me as often as they need it. Aside from that, nothing. I don't think many of us do. If we did, the world wouldn't be the way it is now. But I don't really know where to start to change it. I guess that's my fault. I'm not saying the problems of the world fall on a single person, but I am acknowledging that I do not consistently contribute to the betterment of society. Really, do you? 

I called a customer this week to tell her about our upcoming gift with purchase at Estée Lauder. The phone call went to voicemail where this message played: "Thank you for calling the (last name here)'s. We are out changing the world and making history. When we return, there will be new adventures to share. Leave a message and when the wind leads us back home, we'll be sure to exchange stories with you. Until then, do great things."  This is the type of person I want to be.  I want to make my own adventure and have a story worth sharing.  I admire the spirit of this old couple.  I also admire their challenge: "do great things."  Think about how often you feel like you've done something great.  What if we made a conscious effort to do something great every day?  It could make you feel so alive.  That's all we really want, right?  This couple is changing something about the world.  I'm not sure how big or small, but they've inspired me and that's worth something.  How many other people have heard their answering machine and decided those words meant something?

I guess my point today is that we have a choice to contribute to the bad that's in the world or change it...complaining shouldn't be an option.  So what are you going to do now?

"If a person with a bullet could change the world, imagine what a person with an idea could do." -J. Straczynski

Social Acceptance

"Dear straight people, sexuality and gender are two different things combined in many different ways.  If you mix-match your socks, you understand." -Denice Frohman

If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you probably know how much I enjoy finding new, inspiring people that are following their passion and using their passion to impact others.  This week, I have found two very amazing people and I can't resist the urge to share their platforms.

The first is someone who has a passion for something I am very attracted to: spoken word poetry.  We all know how much I love Sarah Kay and her initiative through Project VOICE.  This woman has a similar campaign, but goes about her education a little differently.  Denice Frohman is a spoken word poet, lyricist, and educator that explores the intersections of race, gender, sexuality and "inbetweeness" that exists in us all.  She has amazing talent.  Her work is focused on social change and I must say, she has some of the best engaging ways of speaking about it.  Somehow, Frohman manages to make the conversation easy without making the issues sound insignificant.  I have listened to quite a bit of her poetry and I'm going to share my favorite one today.  I'll also link her website here.

The second person is someone that I really admire.  He is a homosexual that is exploring his faith on a personal, intimate level; He is finding his own truths.  I've written several posts (like this one) on being confident in your own beliefs and making sure that your beliefs are truly your own.  I believe in self-discovery and searching for your own truths and I think this person is someone that really exemplifies that belief.  Brian Murphy is a human rights and religious advocate that uses the booming world of social media to spread his message of courage, faith, and unity.  He encourages us to ask the hard questions and have the difficult conversations if they will lead to a greater understanding and acceptance of each others differences.  You can visit his website by clicking on this link.  I am going to share one of my favorite videos (I love them all!) of his here.

The two of these people inspire my voice.  They reignite my passion for sharing what I believe to be true.  They also remind me that social acceptance goes so many ways.  It's not just a struggle of straight versus gay.  There are so many social differences that we need to learn to respect and appreciate.  I am thankful for people like Denice and Brian who are able to spread a message of acceptance.  Like Joanna Hoffman says in her poem Pride, "So when my friend asks me the reason there are no straight pride parades, I tell her 'you can't be proud of something you never had to fight for.'"  People like Denice and Brian make the struggle real, but offer a light at the end of the tunnel.  The fight doesn't have to last much longer, if we all learn social acceptance, to the best of our abilities.  If we try to love one another, despite differences, our efforts can create a whole new meaning of the word unity.

"Gay is not the new black.  Black is the new black.  Racism and homosexuality are two separate issues and shouldn't be labeled as one form of social injustice."  -Brian Murphy