Circles and Cycles

    You know that phrase, "Think outside the box"? It has been used by many people to encourage others to find unconventional solutions to a myriad of problems. I'm not sure of its origins, but I know I have heard that phrase many times in my life. It makes me think of another phrase, "Putting a round peg in a square hole". I'm not fond of that one, simply because that is how I have always felt. Like a round peg trying to conform myself to fit into a space that doesn't fit; one that doesn't accommodate me. A place where I don't belong.

    I was at a conference last month, among a group of Indigenous people who were all there for the same reason - using our shared knowledge and experience to look at innovative methods to increase housing stock for Indigenous people. One of the speakers urged us to stop thinking outside the box, and to start thinking "Inside the Circle". This was a profound moment for me.

    In Indigenous cultures (and yes, there is more than one), everything is typically viewed from a circular perspective. Mother Earth is round, the Medicine Wheel is a circle, Moon cycles, life cycles, everything fits in a circular way. We sit in circle when we hold ceremonies, we hold circles for healing, the drum is circular.

    Searching back through some older stuff, I found a blog post I wrote fifteen years ago. It started out something along the lines of, " If I want to be a write, I must write - so I am starting this blog in order to write, hopefully daily". How interesting that I still feel the same way all these years later. I have started blogs, books and articles and never really did anything with any of them. In the cycle that is my life, I have come back to blogging as a place to house my writing, although I feel more serious about it now. Back then, I was always thinking of writing as a means to an end - a way to create an income, and not for the process of it. If you read anything I wrote all those years ago, you may be surprised to know that I am still working, I still have a love for reading, and I still love to knit, although now those 'hobbies' don't get as much of my time as they used to. 

    I have newer interests that I am exploring - gardening, which is another life long love of mine, and supporting non-profit organizations by volunteering on Boards. I find I get really passionate when discussions turn to the topic of Indigenous Housing and Financial Wellness. I still love to share my experiences with others, hoping to provide them some guidance. 

    The cycle that is my life is rounding a new area, yet I have circled back to writing and this blog. I hope you enjoy it.

I'm Still Learning

 

 

Ten years ago, I saw a person in the parking lot of our building. Although dressed like a woman, there were physical markers that told me they were a man. I pointed this out to the person with me and remarked at how strange it felt to me to see that. I was perpetuating a stereotype I had learned. I was in the wrong to do so, and to that person standing in the parking lot, and to all of the transgender community, I apologize. I am sorry. I was insensitive and lacked education.

Five years ago, I worked with a person who was living their authentic life, and I misgendered them in front of other co-workers. They corrected my use of pronouns, and I apologized, but I still didn't understand what I had done wrong. I was still uneducated but open to a new way of thinking.

To that former co-worker, I am deeply sorry. I did not know any better at that time. I do now. 

Three years ago, I met a fantastic human being with whom I became friends. I met him when he was living a different life, trying to fake happiness. I watched him transition rather publicly, and he allowed me to ask questions without judgement. He helped educate me. I learned, and am still learning because of his friendship. He provided a safe space for all. To him, I say Thank You. For everything. Thank you for not jumping when you wanted to. Thank you for  providing a safe space for us uneducated people to ask questions so we can learn and grow. Thank you for helping me grow into the person I am becoming - one who has a big heart, full of love for everyone.

To those that are reading this, please know that tomorrow is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. 

 I have been witness to hatred toward people who I care about, simply because of who they are and the biases towards them.

I ask you all, please learn to let go of your limiting beliefs. Let love win. Love for all our fellow human beings.

To my friends, I promise to continue learning and growing.

 

 

 

 

 

It Takes Practice

     Over the years. I have started blogs (and quit them) because it seemed like no one was reading them. Now that I have grown older, possibly even a tiny bit wiser, I realized that it doesn't matter if anyone ever reads my writing. It matters more that I write.

To practice any form of art is how one gains skill, knowledge, experience and confidence.

Writing is a form of art. To put one's thoughts into words and to share them with others, the world even, is an art form. Stories, poetry, journaling - all forms of written art.

I practice many different hobbies (knitting, cross-stitching, gardening, reading, etc.) for the pure enjoyment of them. Writing should be no different. But yet my mind tells me that no one wants to read my thoughts put out into the world. Sometimes our minds are liars.

If nothing else, this blog will give me a place to practice this new art form - a place to write. 

And maybe, someone, somewhere will read it and like it too.