Well my birthday was yesterday, and I asked for people not to bring presents. But a few days ago I began writing something that I gave out at my birthday dinner and will eventually send to my e-mail contacts... it's what I want for my birthday, but not presents...rather they are Gifts (notice the capital 'G') that others can do or work towards. Mind you, this is not as eloquent or as completely expounded upon as I would have liked it to be, as my time to write was limited....
"1) I'd like to see people more aware of and in awe of nature. I want them to give the natural world more than a passing glance. I want people to respect nature as though it were part of them. I want them to be able to do more than just admire creation, but to regard it with such a sense of awe & wonder—the kind that makes their breath quicken, their souls silent, & the kind of tears that form only when in the presence of utmost beauty and majesty. I want for people to let their breath and their souls be one with the natural world. I want for all of creation to be recognized as sacred ground.
I want to see the world have a deep appreciation of and compassion for all life-- from the unborn child, to the condemned man, to plants, animals, and insects. I want that no life should ever be considered inferior. I want for all life forms to be regarded with respect and a sense of wonder, no matter how small they may be and no matter whether they might or might not be considered sentient beings.
I want for there to be no joy found in the injury of or the taking of a life of any sort. I want for those people, animals, insects, and plants who must die, to die with as little suffering as possible.
I want for people to be more aware that the food that sustains them comes from far beyond the restaurant or the grocery store. I want for people to be grateful for every living thing that has died to feed them, and for every person who had a part in that food reaching their tables.
I want people to feel the pulse of the global heartbeat that connects all people with one another, with Creation, and with the Divine.
2) I want to see more acceptance of the transgendered and homosexual communities.
I want to see a day when children born intersexed are not surgically manipulated and not assigned a sex /gender at birth. I want for parents of intersexed children to not fear reproach for allowing their children to determine their gender identity. I want these children to be raised without the necessity of an assigned gender until they themselves are able to recognize who they are. I want them to be encouraged and supported in the gender that they come to realize is their own.
I want for transexual men and women to be able to transition in society without fear of being taunted or harassed, losing their jobs, being denied housing, or having to fear for their life or safety. I'd like for those who have transitioned to be fully recognized as the gender with which they identify, socially, legally, and otherwise.
I want people to shed their personal fears, prejudices, and preconceived ideas in order to better understand the transgendered population. Where understanding will not come, I want that people should recognize their lack of understanding, and not to hold that against those they don't understand. I want for the desire to understand others to so direct the hearts of people that walls of fear, hate, and discrimination will crumble.
I want for transgendered people of all types, including people who are intersexed, transexual, cross dressers and others, to have their dignity honored, their personhood affirmed, and not to be patronized or belittled.
I want for people to realize that gender identity and sexual orientation are two different things that have nothing to do with one another.
I want for same sex couples to have access to the same rights as heterosexual couples. I want for people to realize that homosexuals are not looking for special rights or privileges, only those which are already granted heterosexuals.
I want for gay and lesbian people to be able to carry on with their everyday lives without harassment or discrimination. I want for them to be able to attend work, church, and school, and to carry on in everyday life without the added burden of the reproach of others. I want that they should be judged only for how they love, not who they love.
3) I want that people from all walks of life: all religions, classes, and cultures, to be able to be as comfortable with God's followers as they are with God Himself. Love, Valerie 2-24-06 "
