Today, someone told me that I seem to have it all together, that I know myself so well. Yet, the truth is, I don’t always feel that way.
If I’ve inspired you or continue to inspire you, that’s wonderful, and I hope I can keep doing so. But honestly, I’m just being myself, the only way I know how. If that’s inspiring, then I see that as an unexpected bonus.
My goal is simple: to become a better human as my authentic self than I ever felt I was before transitioning. I want to leave this world better than I found it, driven by the desire that no one else should have to endure the treatment I’ve experienced. It’s this mission that gets me up every day to continue my advocacy work.
It’s important to remember that I see myself as an advocate, not an activist. Advocacy, for me, is deeply personal; it’s work that comes at a cost but also feeds my heart energy and fills my soul.
That’s why I continue working with a mental health professional—my ‘life Sherpa,’ as I like to call them. I know there’s so much ‘deep work’ to do.
So, what do I mean by deep work? It’s that internal journey, diving into my history and DNA, often linked to various forms of trauma—not all of it severe. Sometimes, it’s about learning to shed the expectations of others that I lived by for 50 years.
This work is challenging, but it’s also necessary. It’s about healing the pain that lies beneath the surface, the pain hidden behind a smile that many see but few understand.
Yet, despite the difficulties, I want this message to be one of hope, not dread. The deep work is not just about confronting pain; it’s about transforming it. It’s about moving towards a place of healing and authenticity with the guidance of my life Sherpa.
So, if you see me smile, know that behind it is a journey—a journey of becoming, of deep work, and of hope.
Comments