During the Holidays, Remember these things...

I would like to share with you a few things that I remind myself and my friends every year as we go into the holiday season:

Be safe, don't over eat, don't under eat, and especially - please don't drink and drive.

Be loving and as understanding as possible when you respond to what you perceive as inappropriate or hurtful comments.

Be cautious if you feel your temper rising with heated situations and take care of yourself by going on a walk to cool down and regain your composure.

Be wise enough to know that not everyone has been through what you have been through, and they might not be as enlightened to understand the complexities of your sexual orientation and how you express your gender or your gender identity.

Be aware that there folks that love and care about you even if they are not going to be celebrating holiday season with you. Sometimes this is difficult to remember.

Be calm at the moment when you are least likely to be calm. It is always good to try new things now and then, and to explore what it is like to not play into old patterns.

Be full of gratitude to those that make even the smallest effort to help make things a little better, brighter and more full of love.

Be generous with your love and compassion. Show your friends and family how the power of love can heal, comfort, educate, and empower.

Be gentle with yourself and give yourself some time to be alone. Breath, rest and nourish yourself with a good book, bubble bath or whatever it takes to gain a sense of being rejuvenated.

And especially, be accepting of who you are and love yourself no matter what others may think or say.

With this list in mind, I hope that you will celebrate the holidays in the best way possible for you and your life situation. As LGBTA people, we need to be aware of the ways that we and others go through stress, and assist each other through these experiences so that, in the long run, our movement becomes stronger, more brilliant and healthier as we gain equality and work towards justice.