Making Wishes Come True

Let's pretend that airplanes, in the night sky, are like shooting stars.  I could use a wish right now, a wish right now, a wish right now . . .

Wishes are an interesting concept.  To wish for something means that you desire, or long for it.  However, nothing magical ever happens and those wishes stay just that -- wishes.  The only way to make your wishes come true . . . is to do it yourself.

So let me tell you a little story about three wishes.  Three friends each have a wish -- one wants to be a psychologist, one wants to be a major player in the fashion industry, and one wants to run his own resort.  All three are pretty big wishes that sound fun, full of interesting twists and turns, and lofty goals.

Removing the magical hoping for a fairy godmother to arrive and waive her sparkly wand to grant them -- these three friends are all doing something to make their wishes come true.  All three of them (I should say us!) are in school.  That's right -- adults going back for more education -- we are taking another spin on the education wheel of fortune.

It's interesting, actually, when you talk to any one of us.  True, going back to school is a lot of work and a bit stressful, but all three of us love it!  The thing that has struck me the most is that the mindset of the returning college student (at least in our cases) is very different.  Motivation is NOT a problem.  We get frustrated when we feel we're not moving forward.  And although a ton of work is dumped on our plates, we love it - and want to learn more.

Yeah, I'm talking about my bff Gracie (who is completing her MBA), my best friend Eric (who is working on a BA in Hospitality Mgmt), and myself (completing my BA in Psych, applying for PhD programs currently).  I am so incredibly proud of the three of us for not just wishing, but for actually getting up off our duffs and making our wishes come true. 

Eat your heart out Fairy Godmother -- wherever you are!

Think About It!

I don't want to sound preachy or better than -- but I'm a bit perturbed at what I refer to as "my people's" reaction to the Target donation.  And I mean to me personally.  Yes, I sit on two sides of this fence, being a gay man and working for Target for almost 12 years.  Here's the deal . . . (and to clarify, I'm speaking for ME not for the company I work for. . .)

Target gave a donation to a PAC called Minnesota Forward.  This particular PAC's (that's political action committee) main goal is to create economic growth and jobs in Minnesota.  However, after Target's (and Best Buy's donation too) - they purchased some ads for a very conservative gubenatorial candidate Tom Emmer who believes marriage should ONLY be between one man and one woman.  OOPS!

Basically, Target gave money based on economic policy, and didn't look into social policy.  So did Best Buy . . . Yeah - it was a HUGE oversight on their parts.  And I believe the HRC has done a great job at pointing this out to them and challenging them to right the situation.  What I'm frustrated with is how some people have sent ME messages and emails asking how I could work for such an anti-gay company . . . Are you fking kidding???  Target anti-gay?? 

Target offers same sex couple benefits -- even in states where marriages and civil unions are not allowed (yeah -- that's most of them).  They have a GLBT leadership group that helps GLBT team members connect professionally and help them succeed in their careers.  You can not, under any circumstances, discriminate based on all the usual stuff AND sexual orientation and gender orientation.  That's not a law that they have to add that -- it's just who Target is.  Every June (aka GLBT month) they send out corporate wide communication about the month and are a major sponsor of Minnapolis' Gay Pride.

The point is -- I DON'T WORK FOR AN ANTI-GAY COMPANY!  I WORK FOR ONE OF THE MOST PRO-GAY COMPANIES AROUND!!!  So stop with the messages and challenges.  Be a critical thinker -- and just chill.  Those of you that are hell bent on challenging me about working for Target, I've got one thing to say -- Get up out my face!

Man in the Mirror

Man is it dusty on this thing . . . I just realized I hadn't blogged in like . . . um . . . I don't know, FOREVER!  My sis-in-law Vicki commented on it awhile back and basically chalked it up to a few things, I was happy, busy, and always on the go . . . and I think she was right.

But I miss the journaling, and dang it -- why can't I blog if I'm happy??  So here it goes . . .

Last night, for the first time in my adult life, along with my bff Gracie, I bought a full length mirror.  I know, doesn't sound all that impressive of a purchase, until you reflect on the journey I've been on the past few years.

I had never, ever, ever, wanted to see myself full body . . . and for good reason.  It meant I didn't have to deal with the weight I put on and how it looked.  However . . . those days are gone.  Lots of hard work and a few surgeries later (lap band in Feb '09, and an extended abdominoplasty in Aug '10), and I'm a 190 lbs lighter and a WHOLE lot thinner.

I like what I see in the mirror -- not because I'm super thin -- and not because I'm vain (shut up Gracie! lol) -- but because I see a happy, healthy, excited me.  I did one of the hardest things in my life, I made a change -- a pretty big one.  I will say this much -- and it definitely comes from experience -- If you're not happy about something, look at the person in the mirror.  Because THAT is the only person that can make it better.

(Had to disable comments b/c I was getting comment spam out the ying yang -- but since everyone is on fb anyway . . . just comment there if you'd like - thx jj)