Parallels the epiphany thing, and more to the intent of that thread

I will share later

My best moment was when I had a moment of weakness, wanted to delete my membership and a few caring people (you know who you are) would not let me do that or give up. Quite a family we have here!

Two come to mind. Both occurred during the period when I was trying to figure out my gender.

The first was a comment by peky:

Quote from: peky on July 03, 2012, 08:45:05 PM
If you could imagine yourself as woman, you are already a woman..the rest is but details

The second was a poll called "In essence....were you born female or..is it that you just want to be female" (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php)/topic,9156.msg65961.html#msg65961). It was the first time I encountered the notion that a transgender woman need not feel like "a woman in a man's body". We can feel like a man who just wants to be a woman. In fact nearly a quarter of people responding said they experienced being transgender that way. These posts went a long way toward filling in the last pieces of the puzzle and helped me realize I really am transgender.

Very briefly, and I may comment again later-

One was when Jessica offered to stay up all night while I was in crisis and having a breakdown, so she could respond to any pm I needed to make.  Incredible.  And all the others that pulled me through that night, you know who you are too, I don't want to leave anyone out.

The second was actually talking about trans to a person of trans verbally for the first time, as a result of Susans, and seeing Satinjoy take full control during the call.  Delicious.

And there are so many times when there was an outpouring of love and respect,  and for the people who were helped by my own take on all of this, which is AA and therapy and Christian based.

And the biggest one was that it is ok to be trans and ok to be non binary and that I am not alone and there is hope for me for a fulfilling life, and now I have friends that "get it".

Those are but a few.

Nails out, hair down, and genderqueer at work.  Off forum for a short while, back on spiritual retreat this weekend and returning Monday.  God Bless.

Quote from: Kim 526 on May 15, 2014, 06:47:16 PM
That I always have been, and always will be different.

From the epiphanies thread.

Pretty much that I am not the only "normal" person in the world anymore because I found them all right here. I said this before and I will say it again that we all try to fit into society too hard and that causes us problems such as the dysphoria but society should be trying to model itself after all of us. They don't have to be transgendered but open, accepting, truly caring, willing to help thier fellow human and all the other stuff about us that isn't limited to be transgendered.

There are almost  too many to choose from.  They include learning from Ativan, Mandolym, SJ etc that there are many, many gender types. That there are as many narratives as there are people and that each experience provides an opportunity to learn, to listen and to grow.  That we should strive for authenticity and not mimic or merely succumb to accepted behaviour or practice.  That this is our life, that I have one life and  one opportunity to consciously choose my path.  That it can be as fast, as binary, as slow, as nuanced, or as textured as I choose.   That I can be proud of who I am and the opportunity that it provides for my growth and development.  Without Susans I doubt that I could have learned to express or to love myself.  This community is unique, it is supportive, you listen,  you share and you care.

Aisla

the greatest moment would be when i was new here, and ativan managed to explain to me that the question isn't what's considered "normal", but what is normal for me.

and another important moment was when i had barely avoided total breakdown, and dared to write about it. the response that i got was solacing.

I have to say that overall I've felt really accepted here, moreso than I expected. When I transitioned twelve years ago and went on online forums, I ended up in a lot of drama, mainly around looking cis and jealousy, etc., and people accusing me of being a cis woman pretending to be trans for the attention.

But mostly, I feel really humbled whenever I'm here. I tend to live in a bubble otherwise, where I've settled into my own sense of comfort about trans, and everyone around is supportive. So when I'm here and see what people are going through, it reminds me that there's still a lot of progress to be made, and that being in the fortunate position of having both educational and aesthetic privilege makes me motivated to help towards that progress.

I remember finding a thread about people's childhoods being especially heartbreaking. I was never bullied or gender-policed as a child even though I was really effeminate and played mostly with girls. I know it's part of why I have a really strong sense of self and don't experience dysmorphia in the same way as other people here. I want to live in a world where children are never policed for being who they are, and hopefully that will lead to adulthoods where people are proud to be whoever they want to be.

I don't think I can list all the best, there are to many.
Take away's are all the little and the very big insights I get from all the people who come and go, and those who stay for a while.
Non-Binary is all about the journey, and a big part of that is the wide variety of people to meet along the way.
You all make an impact, big or small, and this I know for sure, you make a bigger impact than you know.
Ativan

These forums have come to form the patina of my life.  I came here feeling lonely and afraid.  There were loving hands waiting to take me in and help me along.  One who does not post much any more Tessa James, came as close as anyone to changing the totality of how I view the world, and how I relate to you and myself. I owe her a debt of availability which I will always happily try to repay.

Sincerely Tegan taught me that angst can be transcended, and that to reach out is not cowardice but strength.

Aisla is gentle eloquence incarnate, and we go back and forth telling each other how special we are, but I forever linger over her thoughts.

Satin Joy has shown me that when the boundaries of self are transcended, the universe will embrace and cherish who you become.

There are so many others - the list is endless.  The take away for me is that here is community for the disenfranchised, the lonely, the lost.  That however you are able to tell your story, it will not be met with skepticism or stoicism, but both you and your story will be embraced.  That even when I am inarticulate, confused and want to die, the hands of friends and the love of strangers is here for me.

The greek word is agape.  My word is friendship.  Here is where my friends were found.  I have been so very lucky to have much of my growth as a trans person also embraced in the physical world I spend my days in.  I am deeply and profoundly in love with the people and the principles of this place.  With the new people, with those who spend a huge chunk of their lives in service (Thank you Jessica, Ms Grace, FA and others) and with those who I share messages, phone calls and life with. 

I came here lonely and afraid, I have found acceptance, authenticity and fellowship.  I would never ask for anything more.  I will not settle for anything less.

Julie

The best moment for me was joining.

I t might not seem like much but think about it. Would any of us have any of the "Best moments on susans" if we were never on susans?
Joining is a bit more than that for me. I Came here feeling alone scared and low, feeling a need to reach out. However just joining was anough, realised I wasnt low, but i was alone and i was scared. I was scarred that if i did get that low i would be alone and without a life line.

Susans is that life line and its that security i take with me. Knowing that if i need to talk there are listeners here.

I also feel privileged here.

Quote from: ButterflyVickster on May 28, 2014, 11:57:36 AM

I also feel privileged here.

You are privileged here. How else would you meet a KAT?

It's the only place in the world where I never felt like a misfit.  So this is what "ordinary" feels like...

Quote from: Jill F on May 28, 2014, 07:25:02 PM
It's the only place in the world where I never felt like a misfit.  So this is what "ordinary" feels like...

Jill

Feeling welcome, accepted and understood is something that I have never felt before.  Not surprisingly Susans has also helped me to better accept and understand myself.  But quite apart from this, it is the community and the friendships which make this a truly special place,

Aisla

Quote from: JulieBlair on May 28, 2014, 11:24:18 AM
These forums have come to form the patina of my life.  I came here feeling lonely and afraid.  There were loving hands waiting to take me in and help me along.  One who does not post much any more Tessa James, came as close as anyone to changing the totality of how I view the world, and how I relate to you and myself. I owe her a debt of availability which I will always happily try to repay.

Sincerely Tegan taught me that angst can be transcended, and that to reach out is not cowardice but strength.

Aisla is gentle eloquence incarnate, and we go back and forth telling each other how special we are, but I forever linger over her thoughts.

Satin Joy has shown me that when the boundaries of self are transcended, the universe will embrace and cherish who you become.

There are so many others - the list is endless.  The take away for me is that here is community for the disenfranchised, the lonely, the lost.  That however you are able to tell your story, it will not be met with skepticism or stoicism, but both you and your story will be embraced.  That even when I am inarticulate, confused and want to die, the hands of friends and the love of strangers is here for me.

The greek word is agape.  My word is friendship.  Here is where my friends were found.  I have been so very lucky to have much of my growth as a trans person also embraced in the physical world I spend my days in.  I am deeply and profoundly in love with the people and the principles of this place.  With the new people, with those who spend a huge chunk of their lives in service (Thank you Jessica, Ms Grace, FA and others) and with those who I share messages, phone calls and life with. 

I came here lonely and afraid, I have found acceptance, authenticity and fellowship.  I would never ask for anything more.  I will not settle for anything less.

Julie

Very lovely .

I have always thought agape was such a wonderful word.  There needs to be an English equivalent, or maybe we should just co-opt it.