Your survival question became a compelling itch in my brain until I figured out just what was going on. You asked for a small thing, and small and large became entangled, thus the itch. I finally figured out my answer, and once I share it, I can rest again.
It started like this. Bruce. We encountered each other in a fiber arts forum. It was not like me at all to ask for guidance from anybody, but I asked it of him. He agreed, but said we wouldn't talk about fiber arts, we'd talk about spirituality. To shorten a story that takes a lifetime to tell, Bruce is a shaman. He is also an outspoken gay artist who was born into a devoted Mormon family who rejected him. He had to survive ways I'll never have to encounter. But his deepest words were "go into the dark until you find the light". Over the years, those words have enabled me to handle all manner of bumps in the road. I have learned to face the darkness with sacred curiosity.
You used the word "survival" regarding Bruce. As someone who came out in the 90s, I know exactly how heavy that word is and how much it takes to get to the other side of it. It makes his advice to face the darkness with curiosity instead of fear feel incredibly brave. I’m glad you found each other.
Sandy, It is so wonderful to see your name pop up here. I really appreciate you sitting with the darker parts of this story, it makes the light on the other side feel that much brighter. It’s wild to think how a single conversation can completely rewrite the script of our lives. Hope you are doing well!
Your survival question became a compelling itch in my brain until I figured out just what was going on. You asked for a small thing, and small and large became entangled, thus the itch. I finally figured out my answer, and once I share it, I can rest again.
It started like this. Bruce. We encountered each other in a fiber arts forum. It was not like me at all to ask for guidance from anybody, but I asked it of him. He agreed, but said we wouldn't talk about fiber arts, we'd talk about spirituality. To shorten a story that takes a lifetime to tell, Bruce is a shaman. He is also an outspoken gay artist who was born into a devoted Mormon family who rejected him. He had to survive ways I'll never have to encounter. But his deepest words were "go into the dark until you find the light". Over the years, those words have enabled me to handle all manner of bumps in the road. I have learned to face the darkness with sacred curiosity.
You used the word "survival" regarding Bruce. As someone who came out in the 90s, I know exactly how heavy that word is and how much it takes to get to the other side of it. It makes his advice to face the darkness with curiosity instead of fear feel incredibly brave. I’m glad you found each other.
I feel heaviness and sadness reading this, but also uplifted by possibility. Our world can change with one encounter. Thanks for sharing.
Sandy, It is so wonderful to see your name pop up here. I really appreciate you sitting with the darker parts of this story, it makes the light on the other side feel that much brighter. It’s wild to think how a single conversation can completely rewrite the script of our lives. Hope you are doing well!
Mark enjoyed it as well! He says hi!
Please tell him hello! It's been so many years! I hope you're both doing well.