Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional, love is everything.
"If you don't love yourself, how you gonna love somebody else?" RuPaul
Quoting from our "About us"; we are politically engaged, socially conscious, spiritually connected, and a bit naughty. Running this business has its challenges, but it has given us purpose and pleasure beyond measure. As we sat today to create social media posts and scrolled headlines for inspiration we became increasingly angered by attacks on Asians, proposed legislation that hurts the transgender community, legislation that will further suppress the vote, and on it goes. If you think the work is done with the change in the oval office, you're mistaken.
We immediately thought of some recent posts included in our friend Damon L. Jacobs' "50 Lessons of 50 Years" that included "pain is inevitable, suffering is optional" and "you can love yourself by rethinking love and self." Many of the lessons have come up in prior conversations between us and have helped us get through these trying times. We thought we would share his blog as he posts lessons on the approach to 50; we passed that milestone a few years back. Damon has had a major influence on the mission of Adam's Nest, and we have found his "50 lessons" particularly helpful.
This morning rather than get irate, we reread this post and tried to find our calm center. In Lesson 43, Damon writes: "When I talk about feeling “love,” I don’t mean an infatuated gotta-have-it adrenaline-rush love. I don’t sit around inflating myself with affirmations and giving myself ecstatic kisses all day. For me love is more accurately described as an overall energetic presence than an acute emotion. It is an ever present experience that is calm, warm, and centering. It is a recognition that I am merely nothing more than a vessel for Spirit, and in that context, using “I” or “Self” is a misnomer." We are working on experiencing the calm, warm, and centering acute energetic presence of LOVE!
Today is Bayard Rustin's birthday and this quote felt particularly apropos as we try not to continually doom scroll. Bayard Rustin was an American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights. Rustin worked with A. Philip Randolph on the March on Washington Movement, in 1941, to press for an end to racial discrimination in employment.
"Early in his career, he was arrested for “moral cause” which led to his outing to the public. However, once outed, Rustin was completely open about his sexuality and was never ashamed. Criticism and discrimination over his sexuality led Rustin to have a more background role in the Civil Rights Movement. He never wanted his sexuality to have a negative effect on the Movement, which is often the reason that Rustin’s efforts are not widely known."
After a visit to NYC, happy to be back in Provincetown, though missing warmer temps and family in Florida.
HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY! Be well, be safe, wash your hands, wear your mask, watch your distance, and when it's your turn; get vaccinated! ✌🏼💜🌈🦄😍
#bayardrustin #bayardrustinquote #love #pain #suffering #gayaging
