When Snowflakes Fall...Beware the Winter Storm!

I am not a liberal "SNOWFLAKE"

It may be human nature to want to categorize people.

Place us in some forced “silo” of isolated beliefs that give credence to someone else's view about us.

You know the story – labels of liberal, conservative, radical, progressive, agnostic, or religious dogmas.

But those labels don’t fit anyone that I know. Because we are all a mishmash of ideas, feelings and beliefs.

Because we are only human with feelings that constantly change.

Especially when new information becomes real to us that we didn't know before or simply ignored in the past.

My feelings aren't fragile...They are what brings me life in a mixed-up world that might not make sense at the moment but fills my heart and mind with emotions.

My heart isn't bleeding...It's BEATING mightily! Because now I can see clearly what needs to happen for me, my loved ones, and the world around me.

I am a badass believer in human rights...Based on shared values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence.

These values are defined and protected by natural law.

They are larger than the right to public assembly or even the right to a democratic system.

They are the freedom of thought and expression. They are the right to clean water, air, and food. These rights belong to every person in the world, from birth until death.

My toughness is in tenderness...Like a mama bear who feeds and nurtures her cubs.

Always encouraging, playful and teaching – but ready to strike at any predator that could be a danger to her or her cubs.

I am that mama bear and my people are all who I love and all the people that love and care for others.

My strength is in the service of others...The best way to honor yourself and your neighbor is by giving, without asking for anything in return.

Giving yourself for others, IS the power of hope. Because with hope, anything is possible. And with hope, we are drawn to take action.

There is nothing more fierce than formidable, unconditional love...Like a child, that knows not of danger but only seeks the arms of a parent. And the parent who cares not for life but the safety of those they love.

There is not a thing more courageous than compassion...the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another person's agony and feel driven to help relieve that pain.

It is the emotional connection that drives you to action.

To help stop the suffering of someone else simply because of our humanity to do right.

BUT IF MY BELIEFS - IN EQUITY, EMPATHY AND LOVE - INDEED MAKES ME OR PEOPLE LIKE ME SNOWFLAKES,

THEN YOU SHOULD KNOW…

WINTER IS COMING!

ARTIST/POET, UNKNOWN