"Only You Can Control Your Future!"

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "Only you can control your future!"  Well . . . we do have some "say" over our future, as we can decide if we are going to move forward on something or not, but there are certainly times and situations where we do not have "control" over our futures. I do believe we are able to turn to God when faced with questions and challenges about our future, but we also have to take responsibility for the things we are able to do in regards to our future. 

However; I also need to speak up as there are people I dearly love who are gay and they are facing a lot of uncertainty in regards to the future at this time. I also dearly love people who are trans, (and again, I need to stress trans people did not choose to be trans. During the third trimester when they are growing in their moms, gender develops in the brain. Most of us have gender which matches our physical characteristics which form in the first trimester. But not all. Some do not and these people are trans. It is not a choice they made. It can be seen when looking at their DNA, so if you don't condemn or despise people who have something else happen as they grow inside their mom, why would you condemn/despise a trans person?) so as I read and hear the news I am afraid and angry. I'm afraid for what the future - especially over the coming potentially two more years, holds for them. 

But, I don't just stay afraid - I also feel angry. How dare the current occupant of the White House target people who did not make a choice for who they are and who just want peace for themselves and to live their lives not harming anyone? Clearly he doesn't live his life not harming anyone. Yes, I feel anger.

Then I take a deep breath, and remind myself of several important facts. While I would like to move to Canada, it is difficult and expensive to do this and happily for me and people I love, we live in Michigan which has excellent laws in place to protect those in the queer community and our Governor and Attorney General are committed to upholding these laws. If you don't live in Michigan, or a similar State with laws to protect you, it is easier to move to a State with these laws than it is to leave the country.

Remembering these things helps me feel less afraid and angry. Then I focus on stepping up, speaking out, and doing everything I can to encourage, love, help, and support those I love - this is one reason I am writing about these things today. We all need to stand up and speak up.

Yes, these are scary days, days where I have concerns about the future, and days which make me feel angry, but I hold on to the truth - my state has laws to protect the people I love, in November I hope the Democrats are able to take back the House of Representatives and the Senate and are able to take their seats the following January - or at least one, because if they do, they may be able to stop anything else the current president tries to do. In the meanwhile, I find hope in seeing every day how State Attorney Generals from across our country, and groups which care are bringing law suits against the executive orders trump issues and so far the Judges which hear these cares are stopping him. It looks like even the Supreme Court may be stepping up to limit trump - this gives me some hope for the future.

If you are feeling afraid and angry every day, as am I, then please hold on the truth about how there are laws to protect you and people who are fighting the court battles to stop trump. Then hold on to and pull closer to the people who love you and who have your back. I think the coming years will feel long, but there is hope for things to be better. As ‪Rabbi Jill Zimmerman‬ said on ‪@rabbijill.bsky.social‬

"Listen friends - gather your hope where you can. People showed up in all 50 states on a moments notice. Voicemail boxes of senators are filling up. Lawsuits are being filed. Look at all the good people. And do not forget to take care of yourselves. Seriously. This is a long haul."

What the future holds we do not know right now, but we are able to put one foot in front of the other, make plans for things which are most likely to help us have a secure future, and choose to move forward. Don't give up!