Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Alone but not Lonely


(Gay) Mormon Guy's post about Fitting In prompted me to write the following. I figured I might as well share it here and ask for your thoughts and insights.


Hey MG, 

First of all since I don't know your name, I hope you're OK with MG as nick name. If not let me know and I'll abide by your wishes.

Second, I relate to your post. Even when I am among friends and family, I sometimes feel the same as you, like I don't fit it. So here's the little talk I sometimes have with myself. "You are unique. You are one of a kind. Even if you had an exact twin, your spirits would be different. Enjoy the difference, but also be aware of how much we share. All of us on this planet are brothers and sisters. We are all subject to hunger, thirst, fatigue and loneliness. None of us is exempt, but no matter what our situation at any given moment, we have opportunities to respond, not just to react, but to draw upon our God-given talents and abilities and feel the connection we share with the other mere mortals in our proximity." 

Third, do I always do this? Of course not. It is an ideal. But it is worth striving for. Some people may characterize this approach as "fake it until you make it" but that's not what I'm advocating. I'm saying that sharing our authentic and sometimes vulnerable feelings can sometimes help another person and ourselves feel more at ease, more accepted.

Fourth, at this moment I am sitting in a darkened room. A small amount of light is glowing from my laptop screen. The other light is from the Christmas lights hanging outside my windows. I've opened all the blinds so I can see the snowstorm. I am alone, but I don't feel lonely because I know you'll be reading this message later, and although we've never met I consider you a friend. 

Fifth, I know that conditions outside are cold and dangerous, but I choose to see the beauty. The room would be warmer if I closed the blinds, but then I'd miss the beauty of the storm. I hope this finds you warm and happy. I hope it will brighten your outlook in someway and I hope you will know and feel that you are not alone.


(End of Message to MG)


So what do you think? How do you deal with fitting in or not fitting in? How do you feel when you're inside and you know that snow is softly falling outside?

Friday, December 24, 2010

Make the Yuletide Affectionate

Merry Christmas Eve! This is my first moho video. Hope you enjoy!

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p.s. I also posted on FaceBook but I think this YouTube version is the better upload. Let me know what you think.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

My Christmas Wishes for You

May you find beauty in the cold of winter
warmth in the glow of friendship and family
peace in your faith
satisfaction in sociality and solitude

May you rejoice in the laughter of children
and the elderly
and everyone else in between

May you discover delightful things
about yourself and others


May you enjoy good health,
mentally, physically, spiritually
and in all other ways
and may you help other
attain such health and well-being

May you face challenges 
that will help you and others grow
But may you also grow as easily 
as a blade of grass on warms spring day

May you be blessed with the 
knowledge that your life
makes the world better 
for those you serve, those you love
and those who love you
past, present and future

May you glimpse the truth 
that there are those you know
and those you don't know 
who care deeply about you
Who thank God that 
you are who you are 

May you thank God 
and our Savior for who you 
are and your life, your blessings
your challenges

If there is within your
Soul a child who
is born with no place
to call home, may you 
welcome that child
feed and clothe and 
nurture him


Friday, December 17, 2010

If he's gone

If the following lyrics attributed to Lennon/McCartney really are about the Beatles first manager, a gay man named Brian Epstein, then it seems to me that the "she" in the song should be a "he" so I've made the change in the text below.


Here I stand head in hand
Turn my face to the wall
If he's gone I can't go on
Feelin' two-foot small

Everywhere people stare
Each and every day
I can see them laugh at me
And I hear them say

Hey you've got to hide your love away
Hey you've got to hide your love away

How can I even try
I can never win
Hearing them, seeing them
In the state I'm in

How could he say to me
Love will find a way
Gather round all you clowns
Let me hear you say

Hey you've got to hide your love away
Hey you've got to hide your love away