gay news blog: Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight

gay news blog: Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight

After reading this article about being gay and living in (some) nursing homes I felt a little like I have been punched in the gut. Perhaps because I'll turn 52 next month and my thoughts turn occasionally to older age and wondering what my living situation will be. As of this writing, I have not had any children so I am not sure who will care for me, should I require assistance as I get older.

It is one of the things you never think of when you are 30 or even 40. It seems that the party is always young and the men are cute and I'll think about those things later.

One day, later knocks at the door! Oh My!

I have heard of a few gay oriented retirement resorts. They sound fabulous and hopefully I'll be able to afford a lovely condo in a gay village where I shall gracefully age while living a rewarding and meaningful life filled with interesting people, parties and romance. However, I am not sure if that is an option for some GLBT folks.

Perhaps this is another step in our maturation as a people in our culture.

"Not special rights, equal rights. Nothing more but nothing less."
--Ric Beattie

RJ the DJ and his journey to wholeness.miracles, blessing, prayer, healing

Do you ever think about the people that you "touch" that you do not know?

Most of us give some thought to the ways we affect the lives of those who are close to us--family, friends and co-workers. But what about those people that you have never met but have a connection with in some way?

I have been writing prayers for several years and many of them have been sent out from Renaissance Unity over the years in the form of a daily inspirational email message. Occasionally, I become aware of one of these prayers being posted on a website or blog.

This morning, I discovered one of my prayers posted on a blog called

I Am Doing Great- Just Like You which is published by a guy named RJ. His "handle" is DJ-RJ because he is a DJ in Austin, Texas. Since May of this year RJ has been blogging his experience of cancer treatment and healing. As I read his story, tears filled my eyes. Tears of joy and connection and blessing. Tears of the Oneness.

I have never met RJ but we have connected in that wonderful way that only Spirit can orchestrate. His story of moving through this experience and facing many challenges both health wise and financially touch me deeply. His quiet courage and remarkable faith inspire me. The journey is not over for RJ, but I can tell you he has already won the prize! If you have a few moments, check out RJ's blog.

We can share a blessing so easily. Perhaps your gift to the world today is a smile at a stranger or a kind word to someone who passes your way.

I invite you to join me in this prayer for RJ.

Dear God,

Thank You for RJ.

Thank You for the clarity and strength of his gentle words

which are a passionate and powerful witnesses to Your love.

Thank You for his willingness to share this journey

of healing and hope which is a blessing to many people.

Thank You for divine order and harmony

which are now established in his body and affairs.

We give thanks for Your Light as it shines brightly through RJ

transforming all that it touches.

In Your name we bless RJ and all who love him.

Expand their experience of health, joy, peace, harmony, abundance and love.

We know that You are the one life that lives in and as us all.

So it Is!

Amen

--Ric Beattie

(c) 2007 by Richard L. Beattie - all rights are reserved.

My Nieces Ashley & Alicia Graduate

On Friday evening, June 1, 2007 two of my nieces, Ashely & Alicia "The Twins" graduated from Lake Orion High School. I am so proud of them and of my sister, Dion who has done an amazing job raising the wonderful young women as a single Mom and solo breadwinner.

I remember the day Dion told me she was pregnant and I remember the day she discovered she was pregnant with twins! I clearly recall; the first ultrasound pictures and the day of Ashley and Alicia's birth, first bottle and first cereal and first food all were memorable. First time I baby sat and first time to use a potty, fist overnight stay, first day of school, first ... My nieces had given me a wonderful glimpse of what a father must feel for which I am eternally grateful.

The Other is me.

There has been a lot of press recently about Imus being fired for his remarks about the Rutgers Women's' Basketball Team. Beyond the obvious issue of the racist and one wonders "what was he thinking" remarks which ignited the firestorm; I cannot help but notice the intense polarity between folks getting behind Imus and against him.

ABC News: Imus' Wife: Send All Hate Mail to Him

It jumped at me as I read -- here is another issue to add to the already enormous and growing every day it seems--list of issues arising in our world at this time that sharply divide people:

War & Peace in Iraq and elsewhere
Republicans & Democrats
liberals & conservatives
gay & straight & Bi
brown & pink & more & mixed race people
moderate conservatives & the radical right
moderate liberals and the way off on the left
The ways we understand, think about and experience that Presence which some call God/Allah/Jesus/The Christ/Atman/The One/Mind/Spirit/Great Spirit
You are with us or you are with terrorists
us and "those people"
God Bless American & ? for the rest of the planet
urban & suburban & rural
Wars on: each other, terror, drugs, poverty, pregnancy, welfare, illegal immigration
______________ & ______________

We are creating more and more ways to see our selves as divided and thereby we feel increasingly divided and separate. Could it be that we look more closely for the oher than we do for our neighbor?


Always in Love,

Ric



PS. It's No Secret: what we focus on expands &
what we try to defend ourselves from we draw into our experience



Copyright (c) 2007 by Richard L. Beattie, all rights are reserved.

Support our Troops and our Veterns - Oppose Escalation

I love the point that this video makes. Opposing the escalation of the war in Iraq is an action that supports our troops! This is not a issue of Republicans or Democrats. It is about Americans and whether or not we want to lose/shed more blood in the Middle East or anywhere for that matter!

And its 1-2-3 what are we fighting for?