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My Best Life

Who do you want to be in the world?

This is different from WHAT you do in the world. This is different than the service you provide to the universe. This is different from the volunteer work you do. This is who you ARE.

Who are you?

Who is the best you in the world?

And what gets in your way? For me sometimes it's anger at something in the past. Anger at Carl Paladino and the many who agree with him who often feel compelled to silence, yet harbor such rage at who I am and act it out in laws, beliefs, actions, attitudes that leave me feeling spent without even lifting a finger. Sometimes it's sadness at the pain in the past: whether it is discrimination against me because of my social status, the color of my skin, my sexuality, my sero-status (HIV+), that I live 15 miles off the island of Manhattan, that I was molested as a young boy etc. Sometimes it's pure fear. Or rage. Or depression. Or such overwhelm at all that's left to do that I feel paralysis (self-contained rage).

Today, I'm going to make a choice. To act as my best self. That self might breathe deeply into those feelings and choose DIFFERENT coping mechanisms. A small action in the direction of my dreams instead of sitting in paralysis. Talking a thought or feeling that seems a little crazy through with a friend who understands and is nuturing and kind (vs sarcastic, bitter, and more depressing.) Today I choose to see the good: that man is trying to express himself. This woman is having a bad day and believes I'm strong enough to help. That though I feel brittle and helpless, someone else feels I can take it so they dished it and I'm man enough to defend, protect and help myself without harming others unduly.

This is my best self. This is my best life (given the cards I'm dealt.) And I feel lighter and excited about the day. I face today's work challenges with a smile and firm drive. (Besides the fact that working out and a good bowl of oatmeal with granola uplifts the spirits.)

Live and work well.

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