I think my kids likely know me better than anyone else. And last night my youngest sent me this message:
It’s such an accurate and succinct summary of who I am. Complacency equals complicity is one of my guiding principles. Speaking up and out is integral to everything I believe in.
But I also like to keep a low profile; not make a fuss until it’s really necessary. Confrontation isn’t something I enjoy, but at times it is unavoidable.
To this end I am fearless. Not that it was always so–first I had to get to a place where I no longer felt constrained by what other’s thought of me. Now that’s a super power–not giving a fuck. But (and this is a big but) only if it is combined with integrity and a lack of ego/personal agenda. I mean, you don’t want to be obnoxious or oblivious to the comfort of others. Or, at least, I don’t.
I also (ahem) don’t have much respect for authority. Never did. Ask my parents or all the school administrators that I was on a first name basis with. In fact, I don’t really recognize authority. Expertise and wisdom, yes. But rules? Again, I have no desire to make life tougher than it needs to be, for me or for you. But I shall always question the status quo. Anything that is a human construct will be taken only so seriously. I’m pretty certain why was my first first word. And then not. As in, why not?
Truth. Equity. Veracity. Courage. These are my go-to words now. And if that means trouble, well, I can deal.
life and breath: outliving lung cancer 