Born This Way

Flying down 71st street... I was thinking my problem is... I was born this way.

Growing up... I was discouraged from being true to myself (although I've found since... hiding who I am was never really necessary).    

I'd thought about coming out for the first time when I was in high school.  But I knew the truth way before that.

Most of the world operates as though people like me don't exist.  It doesn't really respect people like us... (there are others of us out here)..

And it was that lack of respect that ultimately influenced everything in my life including my final career choice... (I didn't want anything coming back to bite me...)

Don't get me wrong...  There are some great people out there who've "come out" and managed to survive being who they are.  Some who by.. battling the odds and obstacles... have even done well for themselves.  (Elton John comes to mind).  

But in the grand scheme of a world of us versus them.. we're in the overwhelming minority.

We don't count in the modern world.  

If there's anything good I've learned from growing up in the religious tradition... it's that it's never too late to make a change.

And that's why I've chosen to come out right here... Today.  

(And why shouldn't I?  It's WE who add color to the modern world... who give it meaning and bring it life).    
No.  I won't hide anymore.

I'll take pride in the truth of who I am.

I'm an artist.

Right sided... (brain... not politics)  And Proud of it.

If I learn to be who I am (Zen)... I might finally find "the" path... and escape the wasteland of this modern world.