🌈 Happy Pride!

Happy Pride Month! This occasion is very close to my heart. To me, it’s a celebration of life.

In 2006, I fell into a deep depression where I almost succeeded at my suicidal attempts. At that time, being gay was still greatly frowned upon. Above all, I did not have the acceptance or support from the ones I needed it from the most. It was a very dark time in my life drowning in shame, guilt, and disappointment. Nevertheless, I found my way out. I learned how to accept myself and live with the circumstances I had no control over.

The picture above is of me around that time. It was captured before a night, amongst many others, of alcohol abuse. And I got a tongue piercing not because I thought it was cool but I wanted to see what else I could do to mask my internal pain.

It’s so detrimental to judge others because we don’t know the full extent of what anyone is dealing with. We aren’t thinking, feeling, or acting in anyone’s existence but our own. Comparing feeds ego and ignorance is toxic. We are all products of change and contributors to a brighter future. Choose to uplift others and wish them well. We are all doing the best we can with our own mental and emotional capacities.

Remember, there’s always a story behind the words and actions of others and it’s not the ones you create.