Day 20 - Recognizing Supportive Gifts

Today has been another long, yet enriching day of activities with my GLSEN cohorts. I have found such value in each person sharing their experiences, strength, and hope with others who have come together to continue doing the hard work.

I have been sitting with my thoughts and have decided to also keep today’s sharing brief.

I’m challenged today to identify ways I can support both the strong and not yet strong, individuals in my life. Strong people are like positive people in that they each need safe spaces to fall apart when their energy is depleted.

We can’t be one thing all the time.

We are full of complex, sometimes nuanced, emotions and we must be able to express ourselves in safe, nonjudgmental spaces. I am a safe person and I create safe spaces for those who need me. This is how I can show up for others who have exhausted their voices, and I can sit with those who are sill seeking to find their voice.

I can be there to build them up and I will have their backs.

Now it’s time for me to get ready for bed. Good night, sleep tight, sweet dreams. As a parting gift, here is a photo of me wearing my new pair of cowboy boots I purchased in Nashville. I’m not much into country western fashion, but I’ve gotta say that these boots are pretty great.