It’s time to realize the magnificence of who we are

Coming back from a short vacation I had not one, but two different invitations as a ‘leader’ to participate in community. The first one I felt compelled to turn down since the basis for it no longer existed, and writing this piece was the second. I felt honored by both.

I have lived in Denver since 1979, my choice since I was introduced to Colorado a couple of years earlier through the Air Force. I didn’t really participate that much in community; just busy living my life, healing old wounds, learning new lessons.

The community fire didn’t get turned up until after 2000, participating in one of my passions, motorcycling. I showed up to the PrideFest parade staging area on my bike and was welcomed to join all the women at the front — it was a blast. Who knew I would found Denver Dykes on Bikes a few years later and actually lead for five years?

Drama happens and I had actually thought about writing an obituary for DDOB, including both her many accomplishments and her cause of death, but when I sat down to write it, I couldn’t do it. Maybe she is not dead yet, just taking some much needed and deserved time off.

In the meantime, I had fun working with my s/heroes on social justice issues, namely, marriage equality. Not that I wanted to get married, the whole lifetime commitment thing is rather scary personally. It was about the principle, doing the right thing, and participating.

Through both of these ventures, I can’t even begin to list everything learned within the constraints of the short guest commentary requested, but both were so very far more than worth the ride. From the people befriended, the lessons for life, all within one of the most beautiful places on the planet, in a most exciting time to be alive.

What to write about since the invitation was ‘about anything at all’ and you have a little background. Here is my dream, vision, method, or what I would like to offer.

It is now our time to realize the magnificence of who we are, to take our rightful place in society, to lead the way in further uniting humanity by openly embracing diversity and rejecting fear and discrimination. To offer a very simple definition for enlightenment, that maybe it means helping to realize our next evolutionary step from the conscious “I am” to the awareness of “We are.”

I would like to offer my little definition for the circle of life as a four step formula:

• Step One – Personal responsibility. The only person responsible for my thoughts, my feelings, and my actions is me, I blame no other.

• Step Two – Alignment process. Bliss is defined and realized when my thoughts, my words and my actions are in perfect alignment.
• Step Three – Let go and be free. I let go of all circumstances outside of my control in order to soar even higher in freedom.
• Step Four – Joy of service and continual learning. It is my purpose to love, learn and enjoy as I contribute to the greater whole.

While it may look deceptively simple, it may be extremely difficult in practice, and I would certainly welcome any constructive feedback in my humble attempt to explain.

In the maelstrom of media and constant bombardment of advertising, the staggering differences in points of view and perspectives, the easy choice is to do what everyone else is doing and blame someone else or something outside for anything or everything that may not be ‘right’ with our world.

A more disciplined option might be taking the time to be with yourself, get to know, love and trust yourself to understand that the gut reactions to outside stimuli is your beautiful and wondrous truth and defines who you are.

I choose what to think, what to say and what to do, every hour of every day. Rather than accepting the blame, shame or guilt of others, I know that life is a gift to be treasured with every breath in its exquisite balance.

Because my thoughts, my words and my actions are under my control, I offer what I can to circumstances outside of my control, such as the heartbreaking deaths of starving children in Africa, and balance that by doing something like dancing with abandon to express and free my own spirit.

It is not only my duty, but my privilege, to share who I am and what I have to offer, and appreciate what is offered to me, finding joy in the process.

The end will be what it will be, but the means is everything.