GenQ - For the not so straight individual

There are going to be times when the going gets tough. We all know it. Things aren’t going to go as we want them to all the time; it is a fact of life. But why focus on the downsides of life, when there are so many positives? There is just one word that describes us all, and even though it may not come out much, it is something we all have; pride!

We take pride in ourselves all the time without even realizing it sometimes. That latest distinction for an assignment, that latest boyfriend or girlfriend who we’ve just had the best pash ever with (and everyone can see that massive grin of yours as you walk around with glee), that new outfit in which you can’t help but strut when you get remarks such as ‘oh my god, you look so hot in that!’ and is such a great fit, going out of your way to make a difference and it’s acknowledged, these are all examples of that fantastic pride that lives in us all. This thing called ‘pride’, it ultimately leads to one thing… happiness.

Happiness comes in many forms. Being around friends who mean the world to you, being at that concert of your favourite band or artist, making a complete and utter fool out of yourself and just laughing about it; you just can’t help but be happy sometimes, and that is something the world needs a lot more of.

The world could be on the brink of war at the click of a finger, all it needs is a few verbal lashings, and before we know it, another ‘act of terror’ (or so politicians like to call it these days) could be directly upon us. Now is not the time to live in fear, now is not the time to live in regret, and now is not the time to live in sorrow.  Now, is the time to live life, for what it is.

Think about the happiest moment that you have ever had in your life. It doesn’t matter what it is, just think about it for a moment. It was your happiest moment for a reason, and that valuable memory will be with you for the rest of your life; never forget it. Now think about the funniest moment you have ever been incorporated with. It can be directly involving you, or it can be about someone else with you being a spectator. Thinking about those joyful memories, it makes you feel good about yourself.                                            

I’m sure we have all had those moments where we’ve gone on extra ‘trips’ up or down stairs, had a popcorn fight at the movies with your best friend who’s picking on you because they can, made the knowledgeable decision that Sydney was the capital of Australia (when we all know it’s Melbourne!), talked about that horrible date with a friend about that person who may have been oh so right but turned out to be oh so wrong!, or spill the food or drink when you’re almost finished getting ready for that fabulous house party. It is those kinds of moments that keeps the world going around in the way it does.

In a time where the world may not be the safest place to be, in a time where things may not ultimately be going your way all of the time, think of the things that you either as an individual, or as a community are achieving. We are now that one step closer to equal rights, the percentage of people that discriminate against us is getting smaller; more people are accepting us for who we are, and more of us are living life for what it is happily, without being judged or questioned. You are who you are, and if you were someone else, then you wouldn’t be you. Be happy with who you are. You have your rightful place here, just like everyone else. Don’t relinquish it, open up the world of opportunity and enjoyment; it is you that can make your world complete.