Over the last 7-10 days I have engaged in many diverse conversations and I also have started becoming more active in many of the groups I am a part of. In all of this I have done some thinking about finding my place in this world. I also have engaged in conversations with people that are centered around this very subject so for today I want to touch on few of the thoughts.
Going thru life I think we are evolving and changing. A common thought that comes up is what is my place in the world ? For some they find that living a great life and blending in with the mainstream is for them fulfilling. Others find a life of being up front and in the spot light vital to their happiness. Some find that travel and little commitments to be the way to go. Others choose to change and flex. What ever we choose for our lives we have to know that we may run into detours and sometimes opposition to our choices. In the ideal world we would all get along and we all would be free to choose what we want with no opposition and with no regrets. I am very real that although ideal that is just no possible.
I have people in my life in the various ways they are who fit into many different groups. I learn valuable lessons from them and adapt some parts of my life with what I see working in theirs. I have also grown and changes my life as I have gotten older and re-evaluated what its most important in mine. I personally tend to be a more conservative person with some leanings to a more in the spotlight approach. For me its important to stand behind the various things I do and add my voice to them as needed. In doing so however I know that it is only part of the whole picture. I am a very dynamic person and my life is shaped of many unique and wonderful parts. I tend to be identified as me the whole person and not just of one part. Having said that I will ad times bring forward a part I feel I can be useful with.
A topic that came up is the idea of “out and proud”. I am very much that but in doing so I balance all the other parts of my being. For me its part of the meal, say the starch choice, along with the meat and the vegetables offered. I have some wonderful and very dear friends that take the approach that “out and proud” is the primary part of who they are. I am not anymore right in my ways then they are and by the same token I am no less, nor they are. There is a place in the wonderful world for all of us. I may not see things the way they do but still respect them for the choices they make. For me its all part of diversity and is the spice of life. The friends I mention are people that I work on many common shared interests and goals. Between my conservative approach and their more vocal approach we are accomplishing goals and the same goals are being met. I have been struggling with this idea for some time now and trying to find the balance in my world for me. Part of me likes the involvement and I am finding this is the time for me to be involved. I am finding just where I draw the line for me and me alone. To those people I welcome their approach as they are the voice in areas I choose not to be. What I find perplexing however is that although well intentioned and wonderful people, they are wanting something that is not what the masses may want. They will get upset that some how in all this progress we are no longer being a group on the fringes but more a part of the masses. I remind them that there always will be ways that we can get together and be as one group but that the rest of the time we are part of the masses and that is not bad. What I am finding frustrating is that some want their cake and to eat it too. I struggle with that because I know that is not how it goes and for the greater good of all equal rights is about becoming a part of mainstream and allowing our individual personality's shine as an added bonus. We are all unique to begin with and that is what makes the world so diverse and so wonderful.
When I look in the mirror I see me…All of me “ warts and all” as my mom says. Its so true I am made up of many things.I see all of them. To find my place in this world I need to look at myself and be honest with myself. I also need to look at the world I live in and rules of the game. Does this mean I may not be a part of changing a few outdated ones ? no it means that I shape who I am with my personal goals as well as the rules of the game.
To all of my beloved friends and family I say this: I adore you for who you are “warts and all” Your diverse personalities help shape my views. We may not agree on all points of view all the time but I still love and adore you none the less. In my world that is one thing that does not change. Be who you want to be, understanding that in doing so you may bring attention to yourself and your choices but that is the spice of life and what makes this world such a great place to be in. Know I am here for you no matter what and always will be. Lets all join together and make the world an even brighter place . Remember that in a bag of skittles you can taste the rainbow and that with only one flavor they are not skittles. Together under the rainbow ( or over the rainbow ) there is a place for all of us !!!!
Smile it’s a beautiful thing.
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