I've been in a funk lately.
A funk I haven't felt in a long time.
You know those times where you've been feeling pretty good about yourself and what you're doing, and then out of nowhere Kaboom! Like a tidal wave you lose all your confidence? All of a sudden every reason and belief that you've been standing on for purpose and direction suddenly lost meaning. You feel extremely humbled,
embarrassed even.
And every word I speak has become meaningless. I've lost my words. And it's been the hardest thing for me to gain back that ground. I feel like a walking self conscious mess, because every where I go and every person I talk to I'm over thinking what I should be doing or saying; worrying about how I may offend them by saying this or that, and then in my mind fearing that there pre-conceived judgments (which may or may not be real) may be right. That thought may be a little confusing. Let me give an example. The legal acceptance of same sex marriage in Utah.
I've been very vocal and adamant the past few months about my support for same sex marriage. I've felt good about that before and felt validated in the things I said. Biased of course I am, as I'm in a relationship with a man. I did also feel I had valid reasoning for my support aside from my own selfish reasoning.
Then this funk happened.
And when I heard the news, I couldn't help but think "What will my Mormon family and comrades think of me if I came out vocally and shared my celebration of this news?". And then that thought led me to thinking of their disappointment, which for many people it is. Then that disappointment led me to feel confusion for myself, doubting if there was any worth I had in feeling validated in my happiness for same sex marriage legalization in Utah. Then I think well why should I feel happy about same sex marriage? Why should I stand up for something that my beloved Church and other friends so adamantly oppose? And the reasoning to do such don't come. Or they don't make sense, or feels void. Consequentially the confusion settles in with the loss of meaning. I act in support as I've acted before, but I'm not sure of myself anymore.
I feel a loss again of who I am.
It's a nasty place I tell you to be in. Not just in regards to how to handle the whole same sex marriage debate, but in general, it's a nasty place to not know who you are and what to stand for. I'm sure my Mormon friends are thinking, 'well of course you know who you are and what you stand for'! 'A child of God', a 'member of the true Church of Jesus Christ'!
Those assumptions so genuine and also so naively imposed upon me cause me heart ache. I have believed in those statements for so long and found worth in them before, to a certain extent. There came a point needless to mention over again but where my life experience caused me to question such statements, in search of greater truth and understanding that was encompassing for all. I don't believe that it was Satan or the devil that led me to do that. It was a sincere, selfless intention to find understanding and truth. Anyways those are my own justifications , but also besides my point. I've been unsure of myself the past while.
And I've found that my uncertainty 100% of the time leads me to think of myself in the most grotesque of ways: As stupid, disgusting, a waste, lazy, unaccomplished, a nobody, evil, etc.
I feel like I need a resolution to this message, and I'm not sure I necessarily have one. I just needed to get these feelings out in the open I guess. And let people know, I'm trying. I don't ever want to give up on anything or anyone: not my Mormon heritage and the good that's come from that, not my fellow LGBT peers/allies who are seeking for understanding and love, nor anyone/anything else. It's been a very difficult thing for me to do, and I can't help but feel it must be for others out there also. That perhaps I'm not the only one who goes through "funks" like these, where suddenly everything becomes meaningless, and you feel like
an abandoned person at sea, struggling to stay
afloat.
And that that's
OK
to be there.
I don't necessarily need praise that I'm a marvelous person and that things will work out, as I don't need on the other hand the criticism that comes from what I do do. I just need to be understood.
I'm not sure I'm right or that I'm wrong right now. And I think that's ok. What I do know is I need to be the best person I can be with what I do know in showing love. So even if I'm a self conscious mess and I say the strangest things, or I get offended over the most trivial things, or cry unannounced, blow up, or I'm unusually quiet, please know it's because I'm trying to figure out how to be my best and to love the most.
Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to read this and who show me the meaning of unconditional love. So yep, that's all I have to say for now.
I hope this comes through, I don't have a blog, and I don't want to be anonymous. I am also a similarly affected individual. I have been out of the closet five years. With the truth embedded in me, I am secure in my identity as a child of God, a Priesthood Holder, a recently disabled individual struggling to get my on disability, and a single guy trying his best to find his way.For a while I was aware of the gay community and as involved as I could be, but from the ways I have been treated, have left those confused men to find their own way, and have returned to the refuges of the gospel and full church activity. It's lonely, I have yet to make a gay friend who lasts. I am not making an income, making me invisible to the materialistic friends I temporarily accrued. I am finding more identity directly from God, and I find it in His church. Not saying it's not lonely, because being unable to work, I face excruciating loneliness and constant rejection from the gay community. I have better luck with females and married people, all of whom garner no sexual interest from me. What does the future hold? No idea. But I trust in God, who did not give me this trial, but Christ who saves me from my mortal condition and weaknesses understands and saves me. Would be nice to chat more with you.
ReplyDeleteMike James
hnojames@hotmail.com
Thanks for sharing Mike! I'm sorry to hear it's been as such for you, I feel in ya some things and can only imagine in others. Whatever I can help ya with I'm here.
ReplyDeleteBryan, I love your sincerity. You are soooo sincere, and I know that many (including myself) have always found solace in the sincerity of your expressions. I may not be able to relate perfectly to your situation, but know that I believe that things will work out for you. Hopelessness is such an awful disgusting pit. Hold onto hope!
ReplyDelete