My parents taught me to keep asking
questions. Through them, I've come to understand
it is not what we get, but who we become, what
we contribute...that gives meaning to our lives.
My role models are my parents, my
grandparents and anyone who has the conviction
to live their dreams. I think the wisest person
I've known has got to be my grandfather. He
always saw the potential for good in people,
spoke out against injustice wherever he saw it,
and always put his family above all else.
I enjoy my life - laughing, being with my
friends, afternoon naps, dancing. I also love
the feeling of being needed. The qualities I
value most in my friends are their reliability -
and an obscure sense of humour. I find sock
puppets very funny and any random acts of self
deprecating silliness.
Once of my greatest achievements is learning
to listen and be appreciative of people's
differences. I believe men in general need to
accept that compassion and sensitivity does not
make you any less of a man.
Men who are most secure with their sense of
masculinity and sexuality are those who are
accepting of difference. I see strength in
anyone who speaks their mind, takes
responsibility for their actions and aims to
make the world a better place. My personal motto
is keep being brave, things will get better.
My favorite journey is the one I'm on now.
Although, at the moment, I'm fearing the
reaction from my grandmother when I tell her I'm
transitioning. But considering that I've already
gone through the mini-drama of my parents'
reaction, I think I'll be able to handle it.
Recently a friend of mine pressed herself
against my back and asked me to talk. She said
she wanted to feel the vibrations from my voice
because 'that's a guy thing'. It made me feel
special.
To me, masculinity is understanding the
history of privilege that men have had and
reforming the world's ideas about what that
means one person at a time. As well as being
hairy, sweaty and being able to lift heavy
stuff.
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