Ray DeForest: Buddy L

"Family Ties" actress Meredith Baxter came out! I am so happy for her. It must be a great relief. She said that she waited because she “wanted it to be in her own words.” Good for her. So now I think it’s time that I finally admit what I am! I have been trying to deal with this for a long time. I know that many will say that they knew it all along, that they were surprised it took so long and that it’s about time! Well, everyone has to do it when they are ready and in their own words…

I have been reading a book by Wil Wheaton, “Just A Geek”. It’s a great true story about a young man who is haunted by the one decision he made in his life so many years ago. He allows the decision to dictate so much of his life, until he embraces who he is, where he has been, and becomes a much more positive and happy man. His mantra becomes “I will not take anything for granted today”! For those of you who recognize Wil’s name then you are right with me. If not, Google him and start reading. The guy has over one million Twitter followers!

How many times throughout our lives have we made decisions and let that haunt us for so long? I remember, when I was a kid, I decided to trade another kid on my block one of my trucks. God, I lamented over that decision for a long time. It was my favorite truck, with its aqua color, lifting bed, and big whitewall tires. (It seems my life has always been “colorful!”) At the time, I thought there was something better over on the other side of the grass! Silly I know. My dad just said to me, “Well, you shouldn’t have traded it then!” Hmmm, seems so simple. But then that was my dad. Simple words, simply put…I should have listened more!

As I have written before, my dad got me started on comic book reading. It has stuck with me for more than 40 years now! Action figures, hot wheels, that  Time Machine game, Astro Base, they all add up to this one BIG thing. Many of my friends are the same. I know they are hiding it under the bed! I hope they will follow my lead on this.

My buddy, Louis, is a coach for people interested in learning to become their best selves. His Positive Psychology seems to address many of the problems so many face these days. Whether we feel that we are not good enough, not pretty enough or just don’t fit in, being positive can make things so much better. Louis has grown so much since I have known him, and I am proud to say he is my friend. There seems to be a very big need for this kind of training. When exactly did we lose our ability to feel good about who we are?

I always felt that I never really fit in. Instead of baseball or football, I was a swimmer. I wanted to play “Superhero” when everyone else wanted to play tag. I wanted to read rather than play outside. I pretty much felt that way until I finally met my partner, Jim. He has shown me that truly being who I am is a wonderful positive thing. It is the key to being happy. Of course, we are human, and we will always want to be accepted, but boy…am I happy! I still enjoy all the “outsider” things in my life, but now I am able to enjoy them when I do them. Wow…what a concept!

So now it’s my turn. Move over world, it’s time I tell the truth. It’s time I finally admit it. OK, here goes.

I AM A GEEK!

Whew that was tough! I hope no one holds it against me, um, I mean, I am very glad I said it and I am proud to be one! And by the way, I got that truck back and sold it on ebay last summer!

Hugs and Love.

Previously:

Ray DeForest: Who I Am | Ray DeForest: Remembrall | Ray DeForest: Those Wonderful Toys | Ray DeForest: Date Night | Ray DeForest: The Devil Wears Parka | Ray DeForest: It's Fundamental! | Ray DeForest: Gidget Goes Hawaiian