DBT Workbook: Identify Your Higher Power

And make yourself feel more powerful, the book says.

I have actually done some of what I said I would in the Committed Action section!  My free online AIDS course starts tomorrow so that counts as “attend free lectures”.  Knowledge makes me feel powerful! Can that be my higher power? Let’s see…

“Whether you believe in one God, many gods, a divine universe, or the goodness  that exists within each human being, having faith in something bigger and more powerful than yourself can often make you feel empowered, safe and calm.” -DBT Workbook

Although this activity does not require a belief in God or Gods I think I will find this one difficult. I do believe in a higher power but communicating that via the following questions might be difficult. If it sucks I’ll write what I mean after them.

I was raised within an organized religion, I was raised Mormon, but I emotionally left the Church when we were asked back in 2002 (ish) to ask that same-sex marriage not become legal in Ontario. I didn’t know what “gay” was but I knew marriage meant love, I knew my parents married because they were in love, so I was hurt and confused that my Church (who always said “love one another”) was asking that two people in love not be allowed to married. I did not physically leave the Church until some years later when I was 17 years old. I still draw heavily from the Mormon faith when it comes to matters of religion and God but I have found more power in distancing myself from a religion I never felt a part of and that goes against my beliefs.

My higher power is activism. It is doing what I can to help others and in the end help myself.

Connect To Your Higher Power

1. What are some of your beliefs about a higher power or a big picture that gives you strength and comfort?

Purpose. not that we came with a purpose but that we can go on the adventure of defining ourselves and finding what makes us feel important.

2. Why are these beliefs important to you?

It means that I’ll be an active member of the world, that I’m doing something to not just better myself but better others (no matter how many or how few people).

3. How do these beliefs make you feel?

Active, important, worthy, helpful, empowered, intelligent, purposeful and connected.

4. How do these beliefs make you feel about others?

It’s all about others! My belief drives me to advocate for others and not give up on the world becoming better.

5. How do these beliefs make you feel about life in general?

Hopeful. To know where we’ve come from lets me know where we can go. It’s exciting!

6. How do you do you acknowledge your beliefs through your daily life?

Blog, talk, read, join organizations, help others and educate.

7. What would you be willing to do in order to strengthen your beliefs?

Becoming more politically active.

8. What can you do  to remind yourself of your beliefs on a regular basis?

Blogging. I do this daily and it is a great reminder of why I keep going.

9. What can you say or do to remind yourself of your beliefs next time you’re feeling distressed?

Read my blog, remind myself that I am a part of something bigger and others are there with me, even if I don’t know them.

Mormons and Utah Pride

My partner posted this article on my Facebook and it has made me so happy!

300 straight Mormons joined in Utah’s Pride Parade today! The Church still has a ways to go but no step towards acceptance should be ignored!

Mormons Join Utah Pride Parade

Random Things About Me :)

My Dad said to me a few days ago, “Can’t you shut it off?” Can’t I shut off my constant need to immerse myself in the shit of the world? No, but I can take a little break! thebipolarplace posted a few interesting things about him and I can’t think of nothing I love more than talking about myself!

My favourite type of popsicle!

I have 4 cats, 2 at my parents house who I grew up with and two with my partner and I (Phoenix, Duchess, Omen and Vonnegut).

My favourite colours are black, red and purple.

I love rainbows.

As much as I love men, or my man, kissing girls is wicked awesome!

When I was 13 years old I wrote a 148 pages story that was a massive rip off of Harry Potter.

I’ve had two rabbits throughout my life, Rebecca and Kit.

I drink alcohol because I want too but I don’t drink a lot, casually mostly. 

I started smoking cigarettes when I was 14 years old and quit at 21.

I have never broken a bone (knock on wood). 

I am the oldest of 4 girls (23, 20, 18, 14).

My favourite number is 12.

I sing.

My favourite food is pickles!

I am pro polygamy as long as, like with every relationship, all adults consent.

I was raised mainstream Mormon but left the Church emotionally around 2002 and physically in 2007. 

I have only ever tried 2 illegal drugs in my life, pot and MDMA, and used to take prescription meds for the hell of it. 

I played soccer and ran cross country when I was younger.

I look more my Mom. 

I think that’s it for now!!!!

If you want to know more ask BUT you need to tell me 2 things about yourself in return!

It Gets Better at Brigham Young University (Video)

My heart left the Mormon Church the day we were asked to send letters to our MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament) asking that gay marriage not become legal in Ontario (2002-ish). I didn’t know what “gay” was (I was about 12 years old) but I knew that marriage, based off of my parents, meant love. I couldn’t understand how my Church could deny two people who love either their right to marry.

I am so happy, I can not even find the right words, to have watched this video! BYU is a Mormon university and when I was writing an essay in 2009 on being LGBT and Mormon specifically I was horrified to find that students had to hide their sexuality or face consequences due to the school Honor Code and that students who advocated for their LGBT peers would be subject to consequences as well under the same code. It is AMAZING that a year after I would write my essay that the school would lift the ban on expressing same sex attraction and not penalizing their allies! (Honor Code: 
http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/2011-2012ucat/GeneralInfo/HonorCode.php
)

I’m proud of these students for being true to themselves which happily can include their Mormon faith and their same sex attraction!