I have worked with my stepson, Howard Evan Weintraub, to help develop his designs for greeting cards, posters and t-shirts. While none of the designs were specifically created for the LGBT community, many of them seem quite appropriate for us. One of them, The Bliss of Becoming One, was so striking that I adopted it for the name and cover design of my book.
Click here to view his video on the importance of
Positive Images
Positive images help us rediscover internal happiness and contentment, and remind us to celebrate and enjoy life!
Positive images remind us that we can help those we care about through acceptance and friendship, through encouragement and love, through support and hope!
On CafePress.com/GiftInside you'll find positive images on T-Shirts, Sweatshirts and Hoodies; Great Posters, and wonderful Greeting Cards. Howard Evan Weintraub says, "I know you'll find products to buy for yourself and as gifts for family and friends."
Following are some of these designs and a discussion of what they might mean to those of us in the LGBT community. In each case, enlarged views of the designs are available by clicking on the design.
The Bliss of Becoming One!
As a cross-dresser I feared rejection from society, and so I felt that it was necessary to live two separate lives by hiding my true feelings. On the outside I was just like anyone else but inside I longed to wear women's clothing. My two lives were very much like the two empty circles in the drawing - separate and essentially empty. As I learned to begin to integrate my two separate lives into a whole and integrated whole, my life became much more vibrant and alive. The greater the integration, the richer my life became - hence the phrase, "The Bliss of Becoming One!"
Try to take some basic steps at integrating your life. Don't go too fast. Take lots of small, reversible steps to minimize your risk. Take timeout each month to see how you are doing and to adjust the course as appropriate. The positive results might surprise you.
It's OK to be Different
I always was desperate to fit in. I wanted to be just like everyone else. Any sort of difference, especially something like cross-dressing, seemed to be interpreted as being wrong. I finally came to realize that I was different in many ways and that cross-dressing was just one of them. I finally came to realize that, in and of itself, cross-dressing was neither good nor bad. It was just different and different is not only ok, it is preferable. If we were all the same in every way, life would be incredibly boring. It also finally became apparent that we are all different in many ways no matter how much we try to be alike.
Try looking at others and see their differences. Don't judge the differences as right or wrong, good or bad, better or worse; just see and embrace the differences. Consider how you, aside from being an LGBT person, are different from others and that it is ok.
Be yourself...
Once I came to understand and accept that it really was ok to be different, the next logical step was to begin actually being myself. That didn't mean to just be more open as a cross-dresser. It meant beginning to play all of the music that was inside me. I began to be more open about every aspect of my life from my preferred leisure activities, to public speaking and writing, to admitting that I really liked decorating, art and interior design. In short, I began to be myself. There were lots of changes over an extended period of time but, for the first time in my life, I began to truly be myself...and that was ok.
Try letting out the various parts of your personality that you have kept hidden. Conduct controlled experiments of who you really are or want to be. Why can't you do that?
General Products
Howard has applied these and other encouraging, inspirational and supportive designs to T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, boxed greeting cards, three sizes of posters and simply-framed prints, calendars, bags and other products. You can find them at - http://www.cafepress.com/giftinside
Greeting Cards
A favorite new way of managing your paper greeting cards is to perform the entire function on-line. You can now select your cards, add personal notes and schedule them to be mailed; all without leaving the comfort of home. An on-line address book means you'll save time in addressing the envelopes. You can even have an automated tickler file so you'll never forget an important date. All this for about $2.50 + postage per card. Just click on http://greetingcarduniverse.com/giftinside. You'll love the convenience!
Posters and Prints
The same designs are available in custom-framed and matted, 8x10 or 16x20 wall posters for an extraordinarily beautiful appearance. Click on http://www.ArtistRising.com and type Howard's name, "Weintraub" in the search box at the top and click the "Go" button. These posters will brighten the appearance of any wall!
