Do you notice who stays silent?

I have a lot to say regarding what happened yesterday; And what’s been happening for quite some time.

I noticed a lot of friends popping up, sharing their personal thoughts, their grief, their fear, other posts with words that affirmed their feelings when they might not have known how to get the words together.

I shared too. I always do. That’s something you’ll notice across my pages, is that whether it be a personal or professional page I do not stay silent on political views.

Why?

Because as a trans human living in this world, my existence is political.

By extension, if I want to have a truly inclusive business - which I do strive for - then so too is the existence of my business and it needs to have a voice always and especially in times like this.

Now, I do want to add a caveat: What happened yesterday, isn’t all there is to talk about.

Canadians like to act as though things aren’t happening here.

I think Desmond Cole says it best, and I highly recommend reading his book The Skin We’re In if you haven’t already (This isn’t an affiliate link. Try to find the book at a local book store if you can!). Racism — and other “isms” I’ll add to that — may not be as overt as it is in the U.S. but it does happen, and it is insidious.

If you waited until yesterday to get upset, and your rage is focused on America, that’s okay. But please please take pause my fellow Canadians and look at our own country, too. There is a lot to get upset about here and a lot that needs your attention.

More on that another day . . . I have a lot to say, but am trying to keep this focused.

If you haven’t spoken up yet and said something, ask yourself why.

Ask yourself what your personal values are, explore your business values, and see where the overlap is.

Those are what need to drive you right now in everything you do.

It’s on the front page of my website: Why I do what I do.

Humans are not meant to exist in silo’s, and I believe the same goes for when we create: Whether that be bringing your brand to life, actualizing the next step in your journey of self-integration and self-reconciliation, or capturing moments of joy in a planned photo shoot. We co-create, and I am hear to co-create with you and support you with the parts that aren’t your jam - or frankly that you just don’t want to spend time on - so you can invest time where it counts for you and celebrate!

Community.

Joy.

Creation.

Celebration.

If you’re not as directly impacted by the decisions that have been made of late, that’s okay. We need allies to speak up when we don’t feel safe to do so. This is your time to be vocal, when there are those of us scared to leave the house, or scared to send our kids to school (if you haven’t, please read about the anti-trans legislation that was passed recently in Alberta).

We need to know that your business is a safe place for us to go.

I recall a course I took with Dr. Tee Williams and mentioning that I often become reclusive when healing. He responded (loosely quoted) that the oppressor wants us to feel alone, and isolated; But for all of those who become isolated we have community and if we can heal in community, that is strength.

North America is fraught with individualism. We need to remind them (the oppressor) that the more they push individualism, the more of us there are who come together. And together, we are strong. We are resilient. We shine bright in these times of darkness, and that gives us hope. And communal hope is powerful. It’s magic.