January 30, 2025 - Find Strength and Confidence through Relationships

I've been talking about ways to find strength and confidence - things all of us need, but especially those in the queer community and those who deal with loneliness, bullying, physical and/or mental challenges, and the difficult things which come with life and today I want to talk about how relationships are able to help us with this.

If you have parents who love and support you, then you are truly blessed. If you have grandparents and extended family who love and support you, then you are truly blessed. If you have friends who love and support you, then you are truly blessed. I hope you all have parents who stand by you and stand up for you, grandparents, extended family, and friends who do the same, but know some of you do not. While any and all of us may have moments which are stressful where we may disagree with the people in our lives, we are able to move past the stress and still be able to have solid relationships with them overall because of the love and support they give and which we give them in return. This is the way our relationships work to give us strength and confidence.

I know some of you have very painful relationships with the people in your lives. I am so sorry this is the situation you find yourself in. Please know there are people around who will be positive parts of your life. You might be able to find people who will be supportive in places where you find strength - such as Art Galleries, Art Museums, Nature Parks, Sculpture Parks, etc. These places often offer classes where you might be able to connect with others and they may have opportunities for you to volunteer or even get a job which will also provide opportunities for you to connect with others in ways which help you build your strength and confidence!

Once again today I want to send you my virtual "hug" - You matter. You deserve to be loved and are loved - I love you! You make our world a better place - we need you in this world. I hope you have people around you who tell you these things, but if not, please let me be someone who does. Yes, I say this every day, but these words are true and will always be so. You will find the video at this link.