2. Wild Ride of Self-Discovery

Joy To The World Podcast

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Ever had a secret that felt like a ticking time bomb? Truth hidden so deep it threatened to explode?
As I'm recording this it’s June 2024 – the start of Pride Month. And you know what, my sons & I have been having some pretty deep conversations lately, especially about the transgender experience. How incredible courage it takes to be yourself in a world that's not always so accepting.
It's been a journey of understanding not just for them but for me as well.It's reminded me that life is a constant process of learning and unlearning of challenging our assumptions and embracing the beautiful diversity of human experience.
I got curious and started watching a show about gender transitions. Then we watched the story of Dominique Jackson from Pose. Her journey of self-discovery was rough – heartbreaking, even. She faced rejection, homelessness. But she fought like hell. She built her own family in the street of New York , found her voice, and now she's an inspiration to millions. that's the thing, isn't it?
Life throws us curveballs, tests our resilience, and pushes us to confront the deepest parts of ourselves. It's in those moments of struggle that we discover our true strength. It got me thinking about my own experiences as a parent. When my kids were younger, people would comment on how "soft" they were, how feminine their mannerisms seemed. I honestly didn't care, but the whispers were always there. It's a reminder that society often tries to put us in boxes, to label and categorize us. But the truth is, we're all complex, multi-faceted beings. We don't have to conform to anyone's expectations but our own.
Then one day, my youngest son, at just 13, came to me in tears &said, "Mom, I think I'm gay." It broke my heart to see him hurting. I comforted him, asked questions, and just listened. He was confused, caught in a whirlwind of emotions and societal expectations.It's a moment that taught me the power of listening, of holding space for someone else's pain and confusion. It's a reminder that sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is simply to be present.
I remembered when I was 10, I thought I was a lesbian. I loved playing basketball, collecting NBA cards, no boy could beat me on the court!It wasn't until high school well, let's just say biology intervened!
We all go through phases, don't we? Tried on different identities, explore different paths. It's part of growing up, of figuring out who we are and what we want out of life.I shared this story with my son, explaining that puberty is a confusing time. I told him not to rush into labels, to explore and discover who he was. All I could promise was that it wouldn't be easy, but that I would always love and support him.
Today, my boys are 19 and 17. been 10 years since that tearful confession. They've faced challenges, but they've never had to worry about my love or acceptance. This journey has taught me so much about acceptance, resilience, &the unwavering power of love. We need to embrace everyone for who they are, not who we expect them to be.
Let's transform judgment into understanding and fear into empathy.
I love you!

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