Happy Monday and start of a new week, folks!
It’s hard to believe that we are already getting to the halfway point of October! That means that there is something like only 10 Fridays until Christmas?? I think I saw something about that on social media and almost had a panic attack. I’m not even close to being ready for Christmas…and that is saying a lot since I’m usually ahead of the game with my planning…but not this year.
Anyhoo, I digress. On to the serious topic at hand with this week’s post.
This past Friday, we celebrated National Coming Out Day.
While there seems to be more positive discussion of this as a hot topic in today’s society, it is also one that seems to bring about a lot of negative feelings of hostility that make it hard for us to move forward to a day without seclusion, bullying, and hate crimes.
This week, my blog post is an open letter to those out there who are struggling with their sexuality and identity. The ones who feel lost in what seems to be a cruel, cold world.
I’m here to tell you it will be OK. I promise.
“Dear Friend,
I see you, I’m here for you, and I love you.
I know there are days when the world around you feels cold, cruel, and dark. But it will get better. I promise. There are days of light and sunshine ahead. I know it.
I know there are days when you might not feel like getting out of bed at all, but trust me, there is always something out there worth living for, so never give up trying to find what that certain something is…because it exists for all of us. And that is the truth.
I know that you are struggling and that’s OK. Coming out of the closet to express your true colors is not easy…I will not sugar coat it for you. Be prepared to fight battles with friends, family, and the world. Be prepared to stand tall amongst the passion of true love and kindness that exist inside your heart. Be prepared to lose those who you might thought were once your friends and close to you.
Never back down and never give up.
Will there be moments when you are scared to walk in public?
Yes.
Will there be moments when others will stare at you, bully you, and ostracize you?
Yes.
Will there be moments where you will tremble with fear to share your true, inner voice?
Yes.
Don’t let those moments win and overcome you. Don’t let them waiver the true colors that you were created to express and share with the world.
They are beautiful and they are you.
It won’t be an easy journey. There are people that will cross your paths who will think that homosexuality is wrong and will try to do everything in their power to make you believe it is wrong.
Listen with patience and an open heart and show them you are human. Show them the true colors that God created in you for expression. Help them to understand. Help them join in the foundation of love you support.
Find your support system. Trust them. Hug them. Love them. They will be the ones who show you the light when the world seems like it is closing in with darkness. They are the ones that will wrap you in warmth of love and support.
Above all, never let the flame of true colors in your heart fade away to nothing. Keep it alive.
I see you.
I’m here for you.
I love you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Sunshine”
I came out 14 years ago during my Junior year of high school. While incredibly emotional, rocky, and dark at various times, it has been the best decision of my 32 years of living on this Earth that I look back at with no regrets.
As a single gay man in society who works three jobs to support himself, I will admit that there are days tougher than others. There are days where I have awful, reactive roller coaster emotions because I feel that society tells me I need a partner beside me in life to be happy.
Well, I don’t. I work three jobs, volunteer when and where I can, find joy in the simple things, and try to always come up with new methods of how to make those around me happier through facets of love and kindness.
And if that means that I continue living life in the single lane with close friends and family I love beside me, so be it.
If that means I keep myself busy and neglect the weeds in my front yard, the cleaning of my house and car, and the organizational projects around the house, so be it.
I’m not perfect, but my true colors are. And I embrace them 100%.
I want anyone out there who is struggling with their sexuality to know that it will be ok.
I’m here to listen to you, to support you, to hug you, and to love you.
I pray that one day we will be able to live without that feeling of fear that invades the back of our minds on the daily.
I pray that one day all people will be able to understand that we are humans too who are ready to love with open hearts, minds, and hands.
Dear friend,
I see you, I’m here for you, and I love you.
Sprinkle sunshine always,
JP!
Mr. Sunshine Smiles 