Gentleness is commonly regarded as a feminine attribute. However, a man's tenderness does not make him any less manly. Strength reaches down and draws others up. I knew I was a paradox, a dichotomy. I wore peasant skirts, yet I sported a mustache. In a family photo I wore a suit and pulled my hair back to resemble a man, while my sisters stood awkwardly by in the clothes they were expected to wear. When my parents objected, I informed them unequivocally that they may photograph me in a suit, or not at all. It was not a prank designed to attract attention but rather a statement I was making. What was I saying? Every woman and every man contain both masculine, and feminine qualities.
Why is there a reaction against same-sex and transgender persons? Because it challenges convention. A forceful woman, a gentle guy, or even an effeminate man is neither unattractive nor inappropriate. Even a manly lady. If you are completely macho, you are a steamroller that others dread. If completely feminine you will become lethargic. You must maintain equilibrium inside yourself or you will be unbalanced. Those with all masculine energy become tyrants whereas those with all feminine energy are weaklings.
This mad, aggressive attempt to make masculine males and feminize women defies nature. Nature will reveal you. Animals are not constrained by pitifully narrow gender norms. They do what their instincts tell them to do. Nature flawlessly directs them to exhibit both male and feminine characteristics. In certain animals, the father takes care of the children while the mother goes hunting. I could identify thousands, if not millions of such role-bending actions in the animal kingdom. Are they wrong? Will you point a finger while they follow their own DNA blueprint? If that's the case, you're shaming God who created them. Similarly, you accuse God when you refuse to accept male/female energies that you cannot comprehend. Who are you to point the accusing finger? Examine your own patterns of behavior. Look inside your own heart. Even after you've removed the wrath, self-righteousness, avarice, and resentments, you are still not able to judge! Christ, our example said, unequivocally, "Don't you dare judge." Because that is God's role, and judging someone is to elevate oneself above God.
I was judged for being an opinionated woman, a woman with a mustache who would dare to wear a man's suit. I was judged for who I married, for my political beliefs, even for what I painted. In death I was judged, as some reported that I may have taken my own life. If so, wasn't it mine to take? However, the church has warned that a soul goes to hell and there is no atonement for this sin. Is killing yourself genuinely a sin? Even now I do not know since I am not God. God will decide each situation. How could I possibly know what is ethically absolute for someone else when I hardly grasp what is wrong in my own life? When are politicians and clergy going to quit playing God? I will inform you when. When they die they shall stand naked before God Almighty. The only condemnation they will utter will be for the weight of their own guilt.
There are two cardinal sins in life that must be avoided at all costs. First, don't judge anybody else. Second, don't squander your valuable time. Don't waste it by focusing on others rather than on yourself. Use the time you have left to clean up your act; that is why you came here. By directing the finger away from yourself you have taken the incorrect course. Take that judging digit and direct it where it belongs. Now you're performing God's work. When you see yourself pointing away, correct yourself. As a consequence, everyone around you will feel more at ease. They will really appreciate your company. Even people who are not like you will notice your kindness. If God is anything, he is Jesus. And Jesus was the kindest guy who ever lived. He dubbed himself God's lamb. What is a lamb's gentleness level? What is your level of lamb-likeness? How sweet and reassuring was Christ. You don't need to correct those you criticize because God is still on the throne, isn't He? Has He asked you to correct anybody? If Christ did not correct gender, why should you? You might be astonished to learn that God will not ask you to stand beside him with an accusing finger, since all of your fingers will be pointing back at you.
Make it your life's goal to balance your male and feminine energies. And if someone appears imbalanced to you, bless them as you go, for God is the Creator and Judge. You are not "helping God," because God does not require anyone's assistance. Do you genuinely think God needs whatever you have to offer? God laughs at your money because it isn't worth the paper it's printed on. And, sure, God is both feminine and masculine, since He is a perfect balance of both energies: Creator and Nurturer. What you have done to God by limiting Him to a male image is to cut God in half. I warn you; God will not be happy with this representation. Who is the Mother Goddess that Hindus worship? The same God you call masculine! Who's right? Who's wrong? God is neither one, nor the other. God is all-encompassing representations. We are utterly myopic when we categorize God as one or the other. This is my message: ditch the labels and get to work cleaning up your own life so you can offer God something worthwhile. Throw away established preconceptions about masculinity and femininity because they are tripping you up, leading you to a collapse.
If you only mind yourself you will find miles and miles of material for inspection and cleanup. To transform yourself is no small feat, but to transform another is an impossibility. And why focus in the wrong direction? Do you. And that, if done right, could take forever.
With Love,
Frida
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