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Becoming Me

Blogs: #276 of 321

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Becoming Me

It's a beautiful Thursday morning and it's quite loud today with the construction crew next door. When is it going to be finally done?????

626 pages later, I am finished with Nelson Mandela's autobiography. What I loved most about the book was the manner in which he told his story. Even with all the names of places and people and dates, the soul of his story felt simple, beautiful, and powerful. I cried when he finally wrote about his release. I couldn't image spending those many years in a prison cell. I loved learning about how a man becomes the man who changed his country, history, and the world around us. As I read along, it never felt that it was all leading up to him becoming president and the man we came to know as Nelson Mandela. It just felt like the story of a man with big ideas and dreams seeking what every other man deserves-equality.

Over the years, I have often looked back at my life and wondered about the people and moments that have shaped the course of my life. It gives me perspective and an amazing sense of gratitude. Today, I look out the window with this in mind and I ask myself, "How do I contribute?' This questions reminds me of the importance of thinking about others and the world around me. I may not change history on the scale of Nelson Mandela, but in my own very small way, I can shape the course of life by just being the greatest of me.

The piece to the left is titled "Becoming Me." One night in San Francisco, I went out to a house party dressed up in drag. My friend said I looked like I could kick someone's ass. I didn't know anyone there, but I had the courage to put on a dress and heels and be 'me' for that moment in life. Maybe, on that night someone looked over and thought to themselves. "Wow, that takes some balls." And maybe in that moment they felt inspired. But maybe no one thought nothing and nothing changed. But regardless, I gave the world the gift of me. And so today, I will go out into th world with this in mind. Be me.

May you have the courage to be the best of you!