Blame. “I’m (uncomfortable/mad/hurt/not happy) and it’s your fault.” That means that I’m not taking ownership of myself and my life experiences. I have given that power to you. I have disempowered myself and have made you the reason for my anger and unhappiness. Isn’t that sometimes what we do? Fall into the blame game…making others […]
Relationships take work. Not only familial or romantic relationships, friends, co-workers, your neighbors, and more…there are many people you are in relationship with. Setting boundaries are a necessary and a very healthy part of mutually beneficial and respectful relationships. Letting people know what you will and won’t permit in your relationships, gives them clear communication
Setting Boundaries or Building Walls Read More »
It starts with an email, asking me if I’ll come speak to Gender/Sexuality Alliance teenage students in a local high school, for me to share my experience with them as a gay woman. It’s always a Yes. I feel it’s important to share my personal experience with self-betrayal and societal-rejection, and my journey now back
Intersectionality…The Bigger Picture Read More »
You’re sitting on your couch. Lonely. Bored. Don’t want to talk to anyone in your house. They’re looking at their phones too. You’re feeling down. “Let me post something,” your mind says to no one but itself. Super-happy selfie taken. “Hey, everyone that’s important to me…here’s what I’m doing right now!” I’m sitting on my
How Does Self-Awareness Affect Your Posting? Read More »
I know you because I am a part of you, even though you can’t physically see me. When I’m in action, I permeate every part of you…your mind, your body, your heart and your spirit. Today I come clean It doesn’t mean that I’ll leave, because I can’t. Some of me is necessary…and ridding the
I know the exact moment when I understood the priceless value of freedom. It was 2004 and I was on an aircraft carrier, on my final Navy deployment. We were somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I felt captive. I couldn’t go home, hug my partner, drive my car, go to my favorite
Freedom is Priceless Read More »
In my efforts to follow the Universe’s guidance, this week I spoke to a group of Gender/Sexuality Alliance (GSA) students at a local high school this. It meant a lot to me, and it’s a tiny one step forward in a journey of a thousand miles. The students? Awesome, amazing, smart and kind. Their questions?
I’ll bet you’re thinking, “What the heck! There is no possible way to find any gifts in discrimination…Karen is truly losing her mind. How sad for her.” Hey, I appreciate your concern…it means a lot to me! And you know how I am… I believe that there is always a light shining in the dark. This
Finding the Gift when You’ve Been Discriminated Against… Read More »
A few weeks ago, I started reading the book, When We Rise. My Life in the Movement, by Cleve Jones. The first sentence in the Preface reads, “The movement saved my life.” Cleve (who was mentored by Harvey Milk) was 17. It was 1971, and he was living in Arizona with his parents, and skipping
Why Community Saves Lives… Read More »
One of my first memories was being bit by a dog in my face. I was crawling under a coffee table, probably creeping up on that dog in a threatening way, when it decided to teach me a lesson. I still have the scar. It was Danny’s dog. I found out just a few years