June is busting out all over!  The trees finally have all of their leaves, the weather is warming up, you are working on your tan and everyone is asking, “Are you going to Pride?”  Yes, a month filled with parades, rallies, and celebrations at destination locations.  Perhaps you’ll go to Hartford or Boston or New York.  But Pride is not really a destination – it’s a journey.

We all come into this world with our unique talents, ethnicity and identity.  As we hold our individuality up to the judgments of society, we can feel very much like a candle in the wind.  The jet streams of life want us to flow in the direction of least resistance.  From high pressure to low pressure.  From uneasy to safe.  The world can be a cruel place at times and some traits are easier to hide than others.  But denying your true self is a trap that eventually produces more pressure than the winds of the masses ever could.

We’ve all heard the anthems, like “I Am What I Am”.  So, since you are what you are, then why not just be that special person?  Once you recognize who you are, if you do not embrace and nurture your uniqueness, you will spend the rest of your life in search of happiness rather than just being happy.  Regret is not the tale you want to be telling in your twilight years.

Be kind to yourself and others. Don’t have any regrets. Know that you are worthy. Mix patience with persistence.

Having the courage to follow your heart is the reason you are here.  When you feed and nourish your interests, dreams and desires, you will learn more and more about yourself and start to become the person you were destined to be.  With each unfolding chapter in your life there will be a balancing act between fear and worthiness.  The butterflies in your stomach as you lean in for your first kiss both unsure and eager at the same time.  Sharing aspects of yourself with friends and family.  Abandoning a job within your comfort level to pursue the career of your dreams.  Once you chart a course to follow your heart, your sails will be filled by the winds of your destiny and your true journey will begin.

You may still be discovering yourself.  Perhaps you have no idea who you want to be.  That is part of the process for everyone.  But one thing is certain, once you stop trying to please others and live your life as they think you should, you will start to become who you really are.  When you stop seeing yourself through the eyes of others you will see glimpses of your own inner beauty.  Have the courage to step proudly into the breeze of life.  Be sure to celebrate even the small victories.

So enjoy your visit to your favorite Pride festivity.  Feel the energy of people joining together to celebrate a part of themselves they all share in common.  But, don’t wait until next June to feel that way again.  Be kind to yourself and others.  Don’t have any regrets.  Know that you are worthy.  Mix patience with persistence.  Don’t wait for the world to tell you that you are wonderful.  Live each day being proud of yourself for you are and I guarantee the universe will open up the doors for you.

If you, for whatever reason, are not ready to embrace the inner you at this point, that’s fine too.  Just acknowledge that, and make it a point to revisit that aspect of your life again soon.  If you just can’t seem to get it together, or you just don’t care, thank goodness there is always the casting couch to catapult yourself to the top.  But I promise, if you follow your calling, every month will feel like June.

Joan Crawford hosts the CGMC’s monthly Bingomania in New Haven.  For more details about Always A Bridesmaid Bingomania on 6/19/10, or for future dates, visit www.ctgmc.org. Follow all of Joan’s antics, photos and videos on Facebook by doing a search for Joan Crawford and send her a friend request.

Tags: Joan Crawford