I’ve chosen this blog entry’s photo to make a statement.
Now with Mr. Toupee endorsing the denial of women’s rights and human rights I’ve struggled with how to make sense of the hate in the world that has risen up.
It’s always true that in order to love other people you first have to love yourself.
For those of us who’ve always felt different the truth is most likely we ARE different.
How can we come to terms with the hate in the world right now?
I’ve figured out a solution that is simple, effective, and oh-so-easy to execute right now:
We must stand up for ourselves and refuse to take a backseat.
I figured out that dressing in fashion can be a political act too.
We can create the person we want to become by dressing the part.
I for one think boycotting Ivanka Trump products and her fashion line is called for.
Dressing in a way that stands out is a way to rebel the hate that has become standard operating procedure in so much of society.
Dressing in a way that pleases ourselves first of all is the ultimate way to take charge of our destiny.
What better way to stand up for ourselves than to stand out walking down the street?
It signals that you can’t be messed with when you’re making a fashion statement.
Pastels? Muted colors? I just say no to all that. First of all because of my dramatic Mediterranean features.
The premise of titling my memoir Left of the Dial was also because blending in doesn’t really get a person very far.
Conforming to how other people expect you to live and act and dress at the expense of your own happiness is the surefire route to ill health.
I say: dare to be different and do your own thing. You’ll be a lot happier and healthier.
You and I should not live in fear of having our rights taken away.
I’ve decided I might join a protest at some point.
The antidote to this ongoing hate is self-acceptance. Once we can be happy with who we are and like ourselves it won’t matter what other people think of us.
The time now is to get up and stand up for our rights.
The very act of living in recovery is in itself a political act.
To speak the truth to power and say:
I’m not going away. I’m not going to join you in accepting hate as a lifestyle option. I’m not going to accept ill treatment.
Emile Zola is quoted:
“If you asked me what I came into this world to do–I would tell you–I came to live out loud.”
Live out loud.
That’s an effective strategy for combating hate.
Simply by walking down the street with our heads held high we can effect positive change.
Left of the Dial 