The Road Less Traveled

Only one more day left in this year, it seems like only yesterday when this year was fresh and new. It just goes to show you how fast time goes by when you're not looking. I have been reading all the year end stuff written and posted all over the web. Some seem to think we are going to hell in a hand basket, others see a bright new day coming. It really depends on your point of view, so I would rather take the positive approach as opposed to the negative. As many things as have happened in my life over the last year which could lead me to a more pessimistic view of the world, I choose to learn from those experiences and use them as a catalyst for my own bright new day. We as Gay people have always taken the road less traveled, not so much by choice but as by design. We are not like other people nor can we be. I certainly do not want to be like the people who are so deep in the closet they strike out at anyone who knocks at the door or rails so loudly against our human rights only to come crashing down in a cloud of hypocrisy. God (or whoever you believe to be your Higher Power) designed us so we could take that seldom used path and in so doing enlighten the world to the goodness found therein. Not everyone can see it, some do not even try. I consider it my responsibility to share the goodness that I find or can create with all those with whom I come in contact. I want the world to be a better place because I have been here. I may die without much money, but I will have all the riches that friendship can bring and the knowledge that I did my best to brighten the days and ease the burdens of all those around me.

I do not dare to claim perfection nor would I try. It is the striving toward that goal that makes our journey worth the travel. This world will never be perfect, but it can be better. As we review the events of the last year, let us plan to do more to make this world a better place in the coming year. It may be as simple as being a good neighbor, do you know who your neighbors are? It may be difficult like loving the unlovable enough to extend that helping hand. It may fall somewhere in between. Whatever it is, we as individuals must take it upon ourselves to make our little corner of the world a better place. Just think what would happen if everyone did that, would not then the world be more attuned to the goodness and beauty rather than the hatred and ugliness so prevalent on the front pages? Reach out to someone today. If you have nothing else to give, give them your smile, you will be surprised how many will smile back. And suddenly the world is a brighter place, if only for the moment. It is these moments which we can string together that make all our lives richer.

John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". Isn't it time that we asked that question of ourselves, then applied energy to the answer? By making our country a better place, we by extension make the world a better place. This will not happen overnight, there is no magic wand powerful enough to wave away the evils of so many. Yet we owe it to ourselves, our country and our world to make every effort possible to ensure the survival of goodness to the betterment of all. The Chinese have an old proverb "The journey of a thousand li (miles if you will) begins with the first step", will you take that first step with me?

As I leave you tonight with the traditional photography here at Nichevo, I would wish for you happiness and prosperity in the New Year and hope that you would think on the things that I have said here today and look into yourselves for what you can do to make this world a better place for all of us. So until next time as always, Enjoy!