Whatever is happening in your life, or has happened in your past, there are several tools that you can count on to help you, and eventually help others. Acceptance, of others and of yourself, is one of the foundations of the 12 Step recovery movement, as well as the other spiritual practices. The more I accept myself, the less I need to criticize and judge others.
Along with acceptance, there is the equally challenging concept of forgiveness. I must forgive myself for the choices I have made to survive. I did the best I could given the cards I was dealt. Then I need to forgive the people that have hurt me, intentionally or not, in order to find peace.
This blog is about healing from childhood rejection, especially related to gender identity and sexuality. The tool of creativity is one that I want to emphasize, because in articulating and sharing our stories we heal ourselves and inspire others to find the healing they need.
It all comes down to selfless service with joy. And we get there through acceptance, forgiveness, and creativity.
Please comment if you are reading this blog. I want to create a community here to explore these topics in a safe space.
Thanks.
© Judy Kamilhor 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
What We Can Do To Help LGBT Teens Now
LGBT Teen suicide and bullying has been in the news a lot lately. It's not a new phenomenon, but the fact that the mainstream press has finally picked up on it is what's new. The "It Gets Better" You Tube campaign is an amazing, and almost immediate response, and I'm grateful for all the celebrities who have participated in encouraging these teens to hang in there and hope for a better future.
The question that needs to be addressed is what do we do right now? The LGBT community needs to work towards providing safe places for these kids to grow up in supportive environments. We need to provide outlets for their rage, right now, before they become the violent ones. We have to remember that in cases like Columbine, it was the victims of the bullies that became the mass murderers.
A few years ago I had an idea for a novel about a place called the Glass Bar. In my mind, this place would provide an outlet for anger so people did not have to go to regular bars and get drunk to numb their mounting rage. In the Glass Bar, people buy empty bottles and glasses, and they throw them against a giant rock wall, with all the proper safety precautions, of course, and the glass being sent to the nearest recycling center.
I never wrote this novel, since it was on a list of about fifteen other books that I want to write. Well, a few weeks ago, I was watching CSI: NY, and there was an episode that featured a place almost exactly like the Glass Bar! I was shocked, and also pleased, because now the idea is out there, and maybe there will be a real place soon where angry kids can go to let off steam before rage takes them over the edge.
It's great to tell teens that it will get better, but the rage is here now, and needs to be released in healthy ways now, before it's too late.
© Judy Kamilhor 2010
The question that needs to be addressed is what do we do right now? The LGBT community needs to work towards providing safe places for these kids to grow up in supportive environments. We need to provide outlets for their rage, right now, before they become the violent ones. We have to remember that in cases like Columbine, it was the victims of the bullies that became the mass murderers.
A few years ago I had an idea for a novel about a place called the Glass Bar. In my mind, this place would provide an outlet for anger so people did not have to go to regular bars and get drunk to numb their mounting rage. In the Glass Bar, people buy empty bottles and glasses, and they throw them against a giant rock wall, with all the proper safety precautions, of course, and the glass being sent to the nearest recycling center.
I never wrote this novel, since it was on a list of about fifteen other books that I want to write. Well, a few weeks ago, I was watching CSI: NY, and there was an episode that featured a place almost exactly like the Glass Bar! I was shocked, and also pleased, because now the idea is out there, and maybe there will be a real place soon where angry kids can go to let off steam before rage takes them over the edge.
It's great to tell teens that it will get better, but the rage is here now, and needs to be released in healthy ways now, before it's too late.
© Judy Kamilhor 2010
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