Monthly Archives: June 2016

Baby, You’re a Firework

Uncategorized

Whenever I think of the fourth of July, I automatically think of fireworks. I think of gathering with others to celebrate, but most of all, the colors and the awe that come with watching the festive explosions. It wasn’t until recently when I began thinking about what the holiday was originally designed for: to celebrate independence.

Because of my age, it is hard to consider myself independent. I always look at others who seem to have their life together and think that they are the picture of independence. I see someone my age living in his or her own apartment, landing his or her dream job, and looking absolutely happy while doing it. When I see these individuals, I always compare myself and come up lacking.hands.

 

But then I think of the fireworks.

Each firework is unique. No two patterns end up being the same. No two fireworks follow the same path. Why is it that I am in awe of the fireworks, but not of my own accomplishments? To be independent, you do not have to follow the same exact path as those around you. That is the beauty of independence: you get to define what it means to you.

In light of this road to self-discovery, I will part with the lyrics to Katy Perry’s “Firework”:

You don’t have to feel like a wasted space

You’re original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe a reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow
And when it’s time you’ll know

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

‘Cause, baby, you’re a firework
Come on, show ’em what you’re worth
Make ’em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby, you’re a firework
Come on, let your colours burst
Make ’em go, “Aah, aah, aah”
You’re gonna leave ’em all in awe, awe, awefireworks2

Fear of Making a Presentation: National HIV Testing Day:

Awareness Days, Inspiring Stories, Taking a Stand

First, I want to start off and say, I am not a presenter. I never have been. Getting up and talking in front of people seemed to be the worst kind of torture to me. I hated it and I never could remember all I was supposed to say or do. They say the only way to conquer a fear is to do it often and repeatedly.hiv-testing-day-468Recent events have allowed me to put this theory into practice. I have had to come out of my shell and actually speak to people. At first I was terrified about speaking in front of people and having all their eyes on me, it was a nerve-wracking feeling. Well, I gritted my teeth, buckled down to practice and got through it with a lot of help and support from others. Now I have been making presentations on a pretty regular basis, and this mostly involves talking to people about living with HIV and how it has had an impact on my life. Wanting to help other people living with HIV is what gave me the push to tackle more public speaking. I wanted to educate others on the disease, those living with it and those who are not.

Being able to help and educate people was important to me. It’s important that the word get out there that living with HIV is not a death sentence anymore, you can live a long and healthy life. I can’t say I still don’t get nervous before a presentation, but once I’m warmed up it’s usually a piece of cake. I usually practice what I’m going to say the night before, and it really helps when you have a partner to practice with. That way you have somebody besides yourself listening to your presentation, and they are able to give you feedback on it.

I would say you can really start speaking out anywhere, but probably keep it small at first. As long as you have the passion to educate, inform and help people you will be able to speak up anywhere. It doesn’t matter if you have the experience or not. Your passion will shine through.

June 27th is National HIV Testing Day. As we observe this day, take time to create awareness and encourage testing. So, I challenge you to take the first step as well and speak out.

Here are a few sites for additional information:

aPositiveLife.com

https://www.aids.gov/news-and-events/awareness-days/hiv-testing-day/

Share with us the steps that  you take in observing this day.

 

 

 

Don’t Cheat on Yourself

Action Tips, Emotional Health, Inspiring Stories, Lessons Learned, Taking a Stand, Uncategorized

As human beings, we automatically are taught to nurture others and that makes us start on the road of learning to”cheat on myself.” I never thought about that until today. I should be on the path to help myself when it comes to things like bubble bacalmness photo for blogths, going clothes shopping, getting my hair done, etc.  I should be open to learn how to see the positive in everything and learn how to enjoy everything that I am doing. If not, I am“cheating on myself.”

Sometimes I have family, friends, or significant others who try to take all of my time away and sometimes it feels as if I am being taken advantage of. The time that I have set for myself should maybe be marked as an important appointment on the calendar and even put it on the phone with an alarm. When I do this, I will make sure to tell others that I am going to be busy and stick to it because I deserve it and so do you. It’s just as important to do this for myself and makes me just as important as someone else is. If I stand up and say “NO” or just saying that I am busy, that should be enough. I don’t feel guilty because this is me that requires rejuvenation.

Just because I learn to say “NO” doesn’t mean that I don’t love others, it’s just that I have decided to do things for me as a women with HIV and it makes me learn about myself, then I will be better at helping others. As a matter of fact, it makes me stronger and maybe I have learned not to “cheat on myself.”

I decided to write about this because I have been letting others dictate my choices and that is not going to continue because it will stress me out and cause me to be sick. “Cheating on myself” makes me forget all of the little things that make mehappy.

Get back to doing you, and stay on track, so that you will be able to have strength to show others why you are so happy, maybe it will catch on.

What makes you cheat on yourself and what would you like to do for yourself that will help you stop? 

 

Show Some Pride

Advocacy, Awareness Days, Uncategorized

Every year in June is national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month). Early in its development, the LGBT Pride Month was only celebrated on the last Sunday of June as “Gay Pride Day,” but over the years, the designated day has expanded into a month-long celebration that came to also include lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender individuals!

Now, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia, and concerts. LGBT Pride Month events attract millions of people from around the world! In addition, memorials are held for those members of our community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. So, the purpose of this month is to honor and recognize the impact and progression that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have made for this community.

If you want to participate in any of these LGBT Pride Month festivities, please visit http://gainesvillepride.org/ for more information.

flag-waving                                                                         Image from: http://www.digitaljournal.com/image/68063

Let us know of any events in your area!

I Can Do Something

Advocacy, Emotional Health, Inspiring Stories, Taking a Stand, Uncategorized