Villiage Individual

The older I get, the more I realize how intertwined our lives really are. In this age of "You decide, own your choices" I am beginning to believe that you really don't own your choices.

In today's world, any choice you make affects those around you. If you choose to quit your job to find yourself and the job that is right for you, your family also pays that price. If you choose to take a stand and spread the word that 'It Gets Better" you are affecting a society (how about: 'It IS Better, I'm here, please reach out'). If you choose to dye your hair pink, you are not merely affecting the family photo, you are affecting your opportunities for jobs which in turn, affects your family. Choices, both positive and negative are not neat little packages.

This is not meant to discourage making choices that are right for you. It is an attempt to point out, that if your choice is to have pink hair, then go for it. Just realize it means that in making this choice, you are making a choice as to what your obligations should be, what your lifestyle will be.

Nothing is simple any more. The 'me' generation needs to rethink that perhaps it should be the 'we' generation. Sacrifice and compromise are not dirty words. They are not cages. Responsibility for our tiny corner of the world and not just for ourselves, should be a badge of honor.

On my path to village elder, I am no longer apologetic for the choices I made, or the responsibilities I took on, as it has brought me a beautiful family. These choices have brought me to a place of enthusiasm for life and self worth that I have been able to share. When babygirl looks at herself in the mirror and says 'hello gorgeous' my heart is filled with hope. When I am stressing over how to pay the bills, keep the electricity on, and I hear these words repeated back to me, "Don't worry, we'll figure it out, we'll make it work, we always do" I cannot help but feel the positive energy I work so hard to create and think, yeah, we are going to be okay.

The lessons that I am only now beginning to learn as an elder, I wish began in my youth. I hope that by example I am lighting the way for the youth in my life, and that they will tell two people, and so on......

My wish is that the foundation I am building in my little corner is a positive and generous one. Let love and understanding be a guide, let your spirit soar. Remember that individual does not mean alone, should not allow for selfish just as a 'mob mentality' should not define you.