The day is coming when -
You won't be able to distinguish men from women based on their hair style, jewelry or makeup
No gender judgments will be attached to wearing dresses or pants
Terms like cross-dresser, transgendered and transsexual will be meaningless
The stereotypes associated with being bisexual, heterosexual or homosexual will vanish.
Once I believed that the day of a truly integrated society would never come. Then I began to notice many people planting and nurturing seeds of change. Society was visibly changing and that realization provided me with the courage to act.
In the past I was fearful and thought I would be safe by remaining hidden. Hiding seemed safe but it also caused me considerable pain. Seeing others act encouraged me to take some risks to reduce my pain.
I felt inadequate and believed that I was nobody until I heard a speaker who challenged the audience to personalize the Rev. Jesse Jackson's phrase, "I am – somebody!" He said that when we hear of a physical, verbal or emotional attack on another person and think that somebody should do something about it; we should say to ourselves, I am – somebody! Surprisingly, ordinary people like myself were discovering that we all are somebody!
I didn't know how to start until I understood that lasting change comes from within individuals. I began to focus on my own thoughts and views and started thinking, seeing and acting differently.
I like things easy and sugar-coated so making these changes proved difficult. I was accustomed to being a spectator but learned that I had to get involved. I am prone to procrastination but these changes called for immediate action. I am enticed by the silver-bullet promise of a quick fix but know that seemingly quick fixes don't work. I came to understand that something as important as creating an integrated society requires time and effort. So I set about integrating my traits into a complete person and encouraging other transgendered people to join mainstream society.
I hope that you -
Find similar self-understanding, self-acceptance and the strength to become a whole, unique person
Achieve a measure of personal peace you will spread the good news by sharing, helping and educating others
Employ the golden rule as the primary means of making changes
Maintain reasonable balance in your life while pursuing these goals.
I hope that the day we all yearn for will come sooner because you helped yourself and others experience --
The Bliss of Becoming One...
This is the final article in a Femme Mirror series conceived with Brenda Thomas' help. I am grateful for the opportunity to have brought it to you. The series parallels the material in The Bliss of Becoming One that encourages us to integrate our feminine and masculine traits. By revealing our true selves to our loved ones, helping those in need in the community and educating society, we help create that integrated society. My best wishes for future success in achieving your personal goals and making that day come soon!
Best wishes,
Rachel
