This week has been a whirl wind of craziness in the world. We have had some interesting politician comments, people being cruel towards others, and a beautiful soul finally being true to herself and finally making the transformation that she has been waiting for. In all of that time, I have watched through the television, the internet, cell phones, and through word of mouth, and think, wow, thank goodness I am so glad I grew up without this stuff.
I am not ashamed that I am not in my 20s anymore, I am proud of my years that I have. I think every day how hard it must be to grow up in such a different world, and I wonder how different I might be if I grew up in today’s day and age. All these thoughts began with one little comment on Facebook and had my mind running ever since.
One of my oldest and dearest friends has a daughter who is about the age that she and I were when we met, and she seemed very sad and angry with just one comment on Facebook, it was about people judging her in a picture that was from comic book movie characters, and she had written “Some people judge me, HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW”. I had goose bumps reading this and I then remembered this was from a 10 year old. Her mother of course tried to help her realize how special she is and that people in this world can be cruel and to ignore them, but I decided to share a few words with her as well. I wrote to her “Don’t worry about anyone except those who love you. No one else matters. Trust me. Being true to yourself is all that matters,” then posted a picture of the famous Eleanor Roosevelt quote “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Tonight I was watching TV and the girl who wrote the book I am Jazz was on, about her journey to becoming the young lady she is now, and knowing she was not meant to be a boy at the age of 2. I thought to myself how people judge so easily, and thinking to all the jokes that have been made about Caitlyn Jenner, or people speaking about her transformation and her beauty, but few talking about her spirit or her heart, or finally being the person she truly wants to be! It makes me realize how far we have come in this world, but yet we have so far to go. Now don’t get me wrong. I absolutely was a child in love and idolized Bruce Jenner, but that makes me love Caitlyn Jenner even more now, because she suffered in silence and now is finally the person she wants to be, and is free to be that person.
So why would I put a quote from Ferris Bueller? Well growing up Ferris Bueller was one of my favorite movies, yes I am showing my age, I was a teenager when it came out and I am not ashamed of this! I think about how fast we do move in today’s world, and how fast we are able to get information, through technology, and I appreciate it, trust me I do, but I also miss the ability of people knowing how to use an Encyclopedia, and talking to one another (instead of texting or posting on Facebook). The lack of knowledge and knowing facts as well as less social interaction has gotten out of control. Our youth are growing up without understanding the difference between LOL, and actually laughing. I cringe, when I hear a teenager say LMAO to a peer, and then text to each other when sitting across the table by themselves at a restaurant it worries me. Mind you I am guilty of texting with friends in the same room as well, I admit I have texted people who are seated in the same room, usually when I shouldn’t be or we are in a meeting, or to share a picture, but not usually about something we could actually talk about. People have forgotten the small pleasures in life, and taking time to get to know one another and raise each other up. It makes me smile when I see a website like amysmartgirls.com and I Am Jazz (YouTube channel). These sites help to lift up people, instead of putting other’s down.
It pains me to see politicians and famous actors making jokes at the expense of people who are different then they are, just to get laughs or to think they are being smart. You are only making one thing clear, and you have lost one person here to listen to you, and I will write about how much of an ass you made of yourself, for sure! Mr. Huckabee you should be ashamed, and that little boy actor, go back into hiding, it’s sad you would say that when you didn’t even watch her win an medal and women can kick some Olympic ass as well!
In my career I have been truly blessed to work with some people who have been transgender, before, during and after their journey. The one thing we all have to remember is no matter what, please remember to treat them as a human being, not an object, and remember it doesn’t matter what they look like, it’s what’s inside. Remember to use the correct pronouns, and use the correct name, and treat them like the person they want to be and feel they are. If you cannot do this, then please let yourself out the door, and do not let it hit you on the way out!
I think the biggest thing we need to remember is TREAT EACH OTHER AS WE WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED OURSELVES!!!!!!!