MY KIND OF LOVE IS NOT A CHOICE I MADE.

Can we really choose our sexual orientation or is our sexual orientation already built within our DNA?  I can’t answer that question on a scientific level but I can certainly answer it based on my life experiences.

Let’s start as far back as I can remember.  I can’t pin point the exact moment that I realized that I was attracted to other men but I always knew that this was part of my being.  I wasn’t forced to choose my sexual attraction to other men – I was forced to simulate to what was around me and what other people thought was ‘normality’.  Society, religion and family forced heterosexuality upon me.  I grew up thinking that my attraction to other men was wrong because it was an unacceptable behavior in our society based mainly on religious beliefs.

So as a child – I was already being forced to accept other people’s ideas of what they thought was right.  I was told that my purpose in life was to get an education, get a good job, find a women, get a house, get married and start a family.  This was what was considered ‘normal’.  It wasn’t until I was a pre-teen that these ideas seemed wrong for me, especially the idea of being in a relationship with someone of the opposite sex.  That notion seemed completely against who I was – it wasn’t an authentic feeling.

Needless to say, I lived my life for the benefit of making other people happy.  I dated girls because it was what I had to do not what I felt.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved women but not in a sexual way.  For me, women were nurturing, emotional, great conversationalists, beautiful and loving.

When I began my journey into manhood, I realized that my life of lies, deceit and self-hate were only hurting me.  How can I love others if I don’t even love and respect myself?  I began my life of authenticity – it was a long and painful process.  I had to really look within and start being honest with myself.  I had to release all of the internal homophobia I learned from society, religion and family and then start living my life from love.  This was a struggle and continues to be a struggle but it in the end – it had to happen.

No one can tell you that you must love a certain person.  Love and attraction just happens naturally.  It is something that you can’t choose – I didn’t choose my sexuality, it was chosen for me.  As I said above, I was forced to assimilate to what was considered to be ‘normal’ and was stripped of an authentic part of who I was.

I love who I am today.  I love that I found a path that is in line of who I was meant to be.  I love being an individual with my own thoughts and ideas and I love that I no longer have to hide who I love.  I gained emotional scars throughout my journey but I have learned to love and cherish those beautiful scars because they have shaped me in becoming the person I am today – and I LOVE that person.

Don’t conform to what others tell you – look within and listen to the authenticity that lives within you, that authenticity should guide you in all the endeavors your life’s path will take you on.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

 

 

DID YOU KNOW…SOME FUN FACTS and RECORDS

Have you ever wondered what/where the world’s tallest freestanding structure was or what the all-tim best-selling non-fiction book was?  Do you know what world destination is the most visited?  What of social media – do you prefer Facebook, Twitter or Google+ Well, look no further because I am about to share some of the answers with you now.

ANIMALS

Elephant

The oldest elephant ever was Lin Wang, an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), who died on 26 February 2003 aged 86, at Taipei Zoo, Taiwan.

Grandpa Lin, as he became known, carried supplies through the jungles of Myanmar (formerly Burma) for the Japanese army, during World War II. He was even taken prisoner by the Chinese in 1943. Lin Wang retired to the Zoo in 1954. The average age of an Asian elephant is 60 years.

Snake

The longest snake in captivity is named Medusa, she resides in Kansas City, Missouri USA and is 7.67 metres long or 25 feet, 2 inches.  She weighs 350lbs.

LITERATURE

The best-selling non-fiction book in the world is The Bible. 

Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci is the most expensive book ever sold – $30.8 million (sold in 1994).  Bought by Microsoft mogul Bill Gates.  A 72-page document (and therefore not a printed book), Codex Leicester is a collection of scientific writing and gained its named from Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester who bought it in 1719.  The journal covers theories on astronomy, water, rock, air, the moon and the heavens.

Sources:

http://www.abebooks.com/blog/index.php/2013/09/25/top-10-most-expensive-books-ever-sold/

MUSIC

Billboard HOT 100 Top Group – The Beatles

Billboard HOT 100 Top Female Artist – Madonna.  Madonna is also Billboard’s Hot 100 top female artists.  She has had the most top 10 singles, a total of 38.  She has sold over 305 million albums worldwide and is the best-selling female recording artist according to Guinness World Record.

Best Selling Digital Artist – Rihanna 

Sources:

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/8000/best-selling-female-recording-artist 

BUILDINGS/TOWERS

The tallest freestanding tower in the world is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  The Burj Khalifa houses offices, residentials units and a hotel.  It measures 829.8 metres tall.

MOST TRAVELLED TO DESTINATION

Here are the top 5 most travelled to locations or destinations in the world (according to the Business Insider):

5.  Niagara Falls (22.5 million)

4.  Union Station, Washington D.C. USA (32.8 million)

3.  Central Park, New York City, NY USA (37.5 million)

2.  Times Square, New York City, NY USA (39.2 million)

1.  Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas, NV USA (39.6 million)

FILM

The top 5 grossing films of all time are:

5.  Frozen (2013) – $1.2 billion

4.  Harry Potter and The Deathy Hallows Pt II (2011) – $1.3 billion

3.  Marvel’s The Avengers (2012) – $1.5 billion

2.  Titanic (1997) – $2.1 billion

1.  Avatar (2009) – $2.7 billion

TELEVISON

Here are the top 10 series finales in television history (US):

10.  Home Improvement – May 1999 (35.5 million)

9.  Family Ties – May 1989 (36.3 million)

8.  All In The Family – April 1979 (40.2 million)

7.  The Cosby Show – April 1992 (44.4 million)

6.  Magnum P.I. – May 1988 (50.7 million)

5.  Friends – May 2004 (52.5 million)

4.  Seinfeld – May 1998 (76.3 million)

3.  The Fugitive – August 1967 (78 million)

2.  Cheers – May 1993 (84.4 million)

1.  M*A*S*H – February 1983 (105.9 million)

http://www.etonline.com/tv/144979_10_Most_Watched_TV_Series_Finales_Ever_Gallery/index.html?page=MA==&itmCnt=MTg=

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook – Has approximately 1.15 billion users, 350 million photos are uploaded everyday and 751 million users access Facebook from a mobile device.

Twitter – Has approximately 500 + million users and approximately 20 million twitter accounts are fake.

Google+ – Has approximately 500 + million users of which 67% are male.

Pinterest – Has approximately 70 + million users of which 64% are female.

Instagram – Has over 130 million users and MTV is the most followed with over 1.2 million followers.

Linkedin – Has over 238 million users.

Technology has allowed the world to come together to witness some of the most amazing things in the world.  We have witnessed triumphs and tragedies across the world.  Revolutions were organized using social media.  We are able to receive instant messages of events happening across the oceans and throughout the universe.  With all the milestones we have witnessed – imagine the great things to come and the potential to create positive change around the world by sharing, following, favoriting, pinning and liking.

Together we can make the world a more positive one!

 

“PITY THOSE WHO LIVE WITHOUT LOVE”

I have recently re-watched the Harry Potter series and I love the reoccurring themes of friendship, honor, faith and love.  I especially love the scene in the final movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part II, where Harry seems to have died and is encountered by his old headmaster – Professor Albus Dumbledore.  Harry briefly chats about where he is and whether or not the encounter is actually happening.  The scene is fantastic and offers the most profound message of love to all of us when Albus says to Harry:  “Do not pity the dead Harry, Pity the living and above all, those who live without love.”  

I love these movies – they offer an escape from the monotony of our every day lives and allow us to imagine a world where anything is possible as long as you believe it is.

J.K. Rowling is brilliant and is the perfect example that with perseverance, faith and patience that your dreams can come true.

You can buy the Harry Potter movies on iTunes.  To learn more about J.K. Rowling, please visit here official website – http://www.jkrowling.com/en_US/#/about-jk-rowling

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

ALWAYS BE YOUNG AT HEART

How many times have you heard the following statements about television personalities, athletes, celebrities, pop stars and even people you know:

“He/She is told old to be wearing that.”

“He/She should not be behaving like that – it isn’t age appropriate.”

“Why do old people think they can do that?”

“Eww, old people shouldn’t be having sex.”

“If you reach the age of retirement, you should stop working to let the younger generation become employed.”

“Old people are too fragile to engage in that kind of physical activity.”

I hope that I am never faced with any of the above.  I have been guilty of saying “what you are wearing is too young for you” to my husband Jason and I cringe when I think about it.  If you feel great about wearing something and it makes you feel good, what does it matter what others think?  Should you not be empowered to wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable, sexy, confident and make you feel good?  Whenever we judge others in what they wear, say or do – says much about yourself.  You are saying these things because they make YOU feel uncomfortable.  You may also be saying these things because society frowns against what isn’t considered to be ‘normal’.  But what is normal?  I would rather be thought of as original and eccentric than conform to what everyone else deems ‘normal’.

Many people feel that once you reach a certain age that you should act a certain way.  True ageism (as well as sexism) rears its ugly head in Hollywood and the music industry, especially as it relates to sexuality/gender.  Money (and sex) is what motivates Hollywood and the music business.  Who wants to hire an actress over 50 in a leading role (unless you are master of your craft such as;  Meryl Streep) when you can hire sexy actresses that will sell movie tickets?  Today – it’s Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, Kirsten Stewart, Emma Watson, Amy Adams and Jennifer Anniston.  Actor’s don’t have this issue – Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams, George Clooney, Anthony Hopkins, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, and Morgan Freeman are all still headlining movies.

Ageism/Sexism seems to be much worse in music – especially if you are a women.  Case in point – Madonna.  She looks radiant and is in great shape but because she is over 50, many people believe that she shouldn’t be doing what she is doing or wear the clothing that she wears.  Do you hear people saying this about Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop, Jon Bon Jovi, Bono, Paul McCartney or Prince?  There is a double standard when it comes to being sexual for a female and a male.  When Madonna (or any other female pop star) grinds on stage with a younger male – she is a slut, a whore and a tramp but when a guy does the same thing, he’s a stud and cool.

I am glad that my thoughts on this issue have grown to be more opened to peoples individuality.  I am glad that there are people out there that don’t care what others think about in terms of their fashion sense and being young at heart.  Ultimately – if we are happy and enjoying doing what we are doing, the judgements of others should never deter us from staying happy.

Here is a great documentary on the subject of ageism – it is profound, inspiring, touching and motivating!  ENJOY!

LOVE IS GAY and LOVE IS EVERYONE.

How do you define love?  What does love mean to you?  Here is one definition of love according to the The Concise Oxford Dictionary, Ninth Edition:  The foremost authority on current English:

love (n)  – an intense feeling of deep affection of fondness for a person or thing

We all have felt intense feelings of deep affection for many people or things but there are varying degrees of love.  You can love a family member as affectionately and with the same fondness as a good friend.  You can have a deep intense love for the planet, a hobby, an animal or even an object.  But no love is the same as the love you share with that ‘special someone’.  What makes this type of love different is the emotional, physical and sexual intimacy you share which heightens the intense of deep affection to a whole different level.  This is the kind of love I share with my husband – Jason.  We have been together for 19 years and have legally been married for 6.  We had mixed emotions about getting married – were we doing it because it was legal in Ontario, Canada, were we doing it for the sake of being married, or were we doing it for no reason at all.  Jason and I got married for all of those reasons and so that we could be viewed equally under the law as our heterosexual counterparts.  That brings me to the story of Shane Bitney Coney and Thomas Lee Bridegroom.

The first time I heard of these two young men was when I came across a YouTube video entitled:  It Could Happen To You.  There are no words to describe the video – the only thing I can say about it was that Shane allowed me to feel his pain, his anguish, his suffering and his hurt.  I want to reach out and hug him, comfort him, do anything to help with the pain he was feeling.  Watch for yourself:

I watched this several times and imagined how I would feel if I was told that I would not be able to see my husband if he was ever hospitalized – I would be devastated.  Again, my thoughts went to Shane and I cried thinking about the despair he felt.  But, that despair was only the beginning.  Imagine not being able to properly say goodbye to the person you loved more than anything in the world – How would that make you feel?  My feelings of sadness for Shane turned to anger towards Tom’s family for not allowing Shane to attend his partner’s funeral.  How could Tom’s family turn their backs on a loving partnership of 6 years?  How could they cut 6 years out of a young man’s life and misrepresent their son in a different light?  I kept Shane’s video images in my head for a long time – especially since Shane and Tom’s story could have been mine and Jason’s story or the stories of so many other same-sex couples who are in loving, committed relationships.  I would say ‘prayers’ for Shane and lovingly send them out into the universe in hopes that they would reach him and give him the strength to carry on.

I was happy to know that a full-length feature documentary was being made about Tom and Shane’s relationship and the love they shared for one-another.  The documentary ‘BRIDEGROOM’ became a reality after much support from the likes of Brad and George Takei and Neil Patrick Harris and so many other influential people.  Over 6,500 people funded the film on Kickstarter.com and it became the most funded documentary in the history of crowd funding.  The film was written, directed and produced by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason creator of the critically acclaimed television series Designing Women.  The film was released in the fall of 2013.  For more about the movie, bios about the people behind the documentary, the official trailer – please visit the movies official website:  http://bridegroommovie.com

I hope that the hurt and pain that was left in Shane’s heart has decreased and I hope that Shane’s current devotion to removing the barriers of marriage inequality has somewhat filled that emptiness.  I know that nothing Shane does will ever bring Tom back – but, I do know that wherever Tom is he is smiling, knowing that Shane is standing strong and fighting for something they already had – A deep sense of love.  I tap 3 times on the desk my computer sits on in the memory of the love these 2 young men shared and for all the work Shane has/is doing for marriage equality.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one! 

THIS IS HOW YOU START A REVOLUTION…….

You may not like her….but listen to what she is saying – REALLY LISTEN.  What are you hearing?  Is it time?  Let’s start a LOVE revolution and campaign for tolerance, compassion, truth, justice but most of all…..LOVE.

Here is an honest and compelling interview of why MADONNA created this short film:

ARE YOU READY?????

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

 

 

WE MUST UNDERSTAND CORRUPTION and DECEPTION TO MANIFEST CHANGE

In order for good things and positive change to happen we must know and understand corruption and deception before we can manifest positive change in the world.  It is wonderful to spread love, joy, compassion and laughter but we must remember that there are so many things that we need to be reminded of so that we can act for the greater good of humanity, the environment, human rights or whatever negative issue it is that we want to address.

We, supposedly live in a continent that prides itself on ‘freedom of expression’.  But do we really?  Governments are bullying us into creating legislation that allows them to take away some of our freedoms.  You want to see this in action – watch the amazing Naomi Wolf movie, The End of America or visit her website for other resourceful information.  http://naomiwolf.org/ You can find the movie on YouTube.

Remember the OCCUPY movement – people were arrested all over the globe in peaceful protest against the greedy banks and the increasing gap between those who have everything and those that have little.  There were protests against the invasion of Iraq – with the UN’s backing – but the USA went against the laws of war and attacked anyway.  Banks are corrupt and have cheated so many people out of their money yet, they are handing out bonuses that would take me a lifetime to make (if I was lucky).  Oil companies are destroying the beauty of the planet at an alarming rate and are given free rein to drill wherever they want.  Here is an example:

On September 18, the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise took peaceful action at Gazprom’s Prirazlomnaya platform to stop it from producing the world’s first oil from icy Arctic waters.

The Russian Coast Guard reacted strongly: after firing warning shots and detaining two activists under armed guard, they then seized the ship and have towed it to the port of Murmansk.

We should be outraged – does Russia own the Arctic?  Are there no laws in place to protect this very important area in the world?  Why were they allowed to use force in detaining peaceful protesters?  For more information about this, please visit:   http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/

It feels like those that have all the power have the upper hand and rely on our submissiveness to continue their deception and corruption.  They believe that the world community can be bullied into silence.  People need to voice their concerns if we want to start a peaceful revolution, a love revolution and a people’s revolution.  Please watch the following video – it is probably the most important 14 minutes that you can spare and share.  You may not believe what you are seeing but you have to ask the questions, you have to make the connections and you have to demand the answers.

This video makes you really think about those ‘shadow people’ that are controlling the world…..what is the cost of not finding out the truth?

There are so many celebrities who are very active in their opposition to those who want to bring the majority to their knees, here are some examples:

• Daryl Hannah and her passion to fight for the environment.
• Woody Harrelson and his crusade against the inhumane treatment of animals and the miracles of hemp.
• Roseanne Barr fighting for a new political party in the United States and her belief in true democracy and freedom.

There are so many people who are conduits for change – WE MUST LISTEN and WE MUST ACT!  Whether you dislike her or not, Madonna has recently made a brief video to start her LOVE REVOLUTION.  Madonna has always been political and has always included images and videos regarding current social and political issues happening around the world during her concerts.  I believe this to be very affective in creating awareness of what is happening and calling on people to act.  Her latest short film is a collaboration with Steven Klein – the message is powerful, the images are powerfuland the message is clear: humanity must begin the REVOLUTION OF LOVE, here is the 17 minute film:

I reiterate:  Do you want to be a conduit for change?  Do you want to start a LOVE REVOLUTION?  Do you want to fight for a better world where we can respect each other, our environment and our planet?  Then you must act – write a blog, join a peaceful protest, support companies that treat their employees well and give back to our environment, stand up to bullying, demand better of big business and governments but most importantly…..SPREAD THE WORD!  Join the revolution.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

 

ACT NOW TO SAVE OUR PLANET.

Please take off the blinders and ACT NOW to save our environment, planet and humanity!  We must stop saying that we can’t take on the big oil corporations like Exxon, BP and Shell – but WE CAN!  Scientists have indicated that we must drastically cut our dependency on fossil fuels and we must do so in the next 5 years. 

Please watch and share this video with everyone you know….we all have an obligation to the planet to ask our government and oil companies to invest in sustainable energy that will SAVE OUR PLANET…..

This video shows us exactly what we can do to create positive and effective change in the world.  It is time to show the BIG OIL companies that we can hurt them were it counts – their bottom line.

For more information and to advocate for the planet on a grass-roots movement….please join http://350.org/

Together, we can make the world a more positive one.

HETEROSEXUALITY IS A SIN

I have often asked if friends and family ever wondered what it was like to be gay, most of them would obviously say “no”.  I always felt I had to explain and justify my sexuality to my friends and family because some of them just didn’t understand how I felt and how exhausting it was to live 2 different lives – one as a heterosexual male and the other one  – my true authentic gay self.  We put labels on people so that we can feel better about ourselves and to please societies idea of what ‘normal’ is.  Normal wasn’t being gay – being gay was a sin, it was horrible, it was sick and wrong.  In order for me to explain to people how it was like for me as person who was forced to hide their true authentic self – I would ask my ‘heterosexual’ friends to imagine a world where everything ‘normal’ was same-sex and that if you loved someone of the opposite sex – that was a sin, it was horrible, it was sick and wrong……well – someone finally made that into a short film, and I thank them!

Enjoy!

This amazing film is entitled ‘Love Is All You Need ? The Movie’ produced by Dana Garner and direct by Kim Rocco Sheilds.

Love is all we need!  Thanks for putting a visual together for the words I have asked so many times.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

DOCUMENTARIES THAT INSPIRE POSITIVE CHANGE

How many times have you heard the following statements:

• “One person can’t make a difference”
• “What we don’t know won’t hurt us”
• “Ignorance is bliss”
• “They (politicians/companies) won’t do anything, so why bother”
• “I’m not voting – it’s not going to make a difference anyway”
• “That’s (insert subject matter here) not true, I don’t believe it”

We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves and to seek the truth.  If we continue to walk around with our ‘blinders’ on, we remain ignorant to the events that are happening around us.  Ignorance is not bliss, it is just plain ignorant.

I have compiled a list of documentaries that explore different political and social issues that have allowed me to become more informed and educated on the certain specific topics of what the films are based on.  I hope that you allow yourself to ‘remove the blinders’ and become more aware of what things are happening throughout the world, who the players are and become inspired to act for the greater good of the planet, your health and for the wellness of all of humanity.  Here is my list:

Forks Over Knives (2011)

Directed by Lee Fulkerson

This movie examines the benefits of a low-fat whole foods, plant-based diet as a means of combating a number of diseases.  It also provides an overview of a 20-year China-Cornell-Oxford Project that led to Professor T. Colin Campbell’s findings, outlined in his book, The China Study (2005) in which he suggests that coronary disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer can be linked to the Western diet of processed and animal-based foods (including dairy products).

An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

Directed by Davis Guggenheim

Al Gore’s film about the current and potential future effects of global warming or climate change.

Zeitgeist:  The Movie (2007)

Directed by Peter Joseph

Presents a number of conspiracy theories based on religion, the financial crisis and the September 11, 2001 attacks.  This movie has companion pieces in the form of Zeitgeist:  Addendum and Zeitgeist:  Moving Forward.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

Directed by Michael Moore

A look at the Bush administration and the events that took place prior, during and post the 9/11 attacks.  This documentary is currently the highest grossing documentary of all-time (preceded by Madonna’s Truth or Dare, which held that title for 11 years).

I Am (2011)

Directed by Tom Shadyac

Narrated by Tom Shadyac – this movie follows Tom’s personal journey to seek the answers of the nature of humanity and materialism after a near-fatal bicycle accident in 2007. 

The Times of Harvey Milk (1984)

Directed by Robert Epstein

Looks back at the rise, death and legacy of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to get elected into public office in the United States.

Blue Gold:  World Water Wars (2008)

Directed by Sam Bozzo

This movie looks at the world water crisis and examines the impacts (both environmental and political) on the planet’s decreasing water supply

Who Killed The Electric Car? (2006)

Directed by Chris Paine

Narrated by Martin Sheen, this movie explores the creation of the electric car and the bureaucracy/politics as to why they were not made widely available.  A great companion piece to this documentary is the 2011 documentary (also directed by Chris Paine) entitled:  Revenge of the Electric Car.

March of The Penguins (2005)

Directed by Luc Jacquet

A look at the lives of a group of emperor penguins in the Antarctica and the hardships they face.  This Oscar-winning documentary is narrated by Morgan Freeman, Sotie Grabol, Marek Kondrat, Gosta Ekman, Amitabh Bachchan and Fiorello.

Sicko (2007)

Directed by Michael Moore

Investigates the state of the health care system in the United States and compares it to other health care systems around the world.

Vegucated (2011)

Directed by Marissa Miller Wolfson

Explores the challenges faced by those who have chosen a vegan diet.

Bowling For Columbine (2002)

Directed by Michael Moore

This film takes an in-depth look at the causes of gun violence in America after two students went on a shooting rampage in a Columbine High School.

Inside Job (2010)

Directed by Charles Ferguson

Who helped create the 2008 financial crisis that crippled world economies?  This film helps us answer this question.

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama (2006)

Directed by Rick Ray

This movie follows the filmmakers attempts to seek the 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) in hopes of asking His Holiness questions such as:  “Why are the poor traditionally so much happier than the wealthy?” and “Is it necessary for a society to abandon its centuries old traditions to move into the future?” – just to name a few.  The move also delves into the history of various cultures despite the threat of the political dangers.

Grey Gardens (1975)

Directed by David Maysles, Albert Maysles, Ellen Hovde and Muffie Meyer

This documentary looks into the everyday lives of a reclusive mother (Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale – Big Edie) and daughter (Edith Bouvier Beale – Little Edie) who both live in a run-down, rodent infested home.  Both reminisce about the past and their socialite past.  A HBO film called ‘Grey Gardens‘ starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore was aired on HBO in April 2009.  The film won six Primetime Emmys and two Golden Globes.

Super Size Me (2004)

Directed by Morgan Spurlock

Morgan documents himself as he eats nothing but McDonald’s – the results are not very surprising but never-the-less interesting.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!