Recently, I watched Diane Sawyer’s interview with Bruce Jenner about his transgender journey. I had no intention of tuning in, but when I found myself home on a Friday night, under the weather and under the covers, I watched, along with millions of other viewers. Even though it aired a few weeks ago, several segments of the interview have replayed in my head and in my heart, and those jumbled up thoughts and feelings have now found their way here.
Before I continue, I want to emphasize that I am not writing this to engage in any sort of moral, religious, political, or any other type of debate about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. If you would like to engage in such a debate or discussion, please, find the appropriate forum to do so, and I greatly appreciate you respecting this request. I am merely sharing several moments from this particular interview that resonated with me. Here they are:
As Bruce shared his story, he spoke repeatedly of trying to be someone he was not throughout his life, until he could no longer bear the weight of his secret. In essence, he was living a lie. How many of us have lived a lie at some point in our lives? Your lie may be different from the one that Bruce perpetuated, but if you have ever not been true to yourself and/or to the people in your life, you, like Bruce and like me, have lived a lie, even if ever so briefly. It takes courage and strength to live a life of authenticity and to be yourself in a society that embraces conformity, but living openly, honestly, and genuinely is one of the highest forms of kindness that we can offer to ourselves and the world. We may think that we are lying to protect ourselves or others from some sort of harm, but trust me, having been both the liar and the one being lied to, lies hurt worse than the truth.
Bruce shared that he contemplated suicide the night before the surgery to have his Adam’s apple shaved down, when the paparazzi found out about it and threatened to expose his secret before he was ready to announce it to his family and friends, much less to the public. When Diane asked why he did not act on his suicidal thoughts, Bruce replied that he wanted to see how his story would end. We each have our own unique story to share, and what a gift and a privilege it is to be able to share it with others, to teach a lesson, to encourage or inspire , to make a connection in a lonely world, and countless other reasons that our lives matter to others. When there is a plot twist or a perceived unhappy ending, we may want to slam the book shut forever, but there always is another chapter that awaits us. Always. If you ever feel suicidal, please, ask for help, as it is there, by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
At the end of the interview, one of Bruce’s ex-wives was quoted as saying that she hoped that people would be kind to Bruce after hearing his revelation. It was such a simple response, but it was powerful. What a better and brighter world this would be, if we all treated one another with respect and kindness, especially those whom we disagree with or find the hardest to love and accept. Be kind. To yourself. To each other. To our planet and all of its inhabitants. It’s that simple. We just make it harder than it needs to be sometimes.
As our story continues to unfold, may each page be written with kindness and truth, and may we be courageous enough to live the perfectly flawed and amazing life that has been entrusted to each one of us.
Thank you so much for sharing your kind words. I was worried that this post may not be received well, so, it is comforting to know that you took away a positive message from it. Thanks!!!
Well said. Living a lie, no matter how large or small, is a hard, hard road. Good for Bruce to finally find his own way and be who he felt he always should have been. I applaud courage like that.
I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts here, and I, too, applaud Bruce and anyone who lives out loud without fear. We have one life, and we need to embrace it and live it fully and genuinely. Glad that you understood what I was attempting to convey!
Beautifully written and well said. I have come to believe that kindness is more powerful than people may know or believe. One of my favorite quotes: ” Kindness is possible even if fondness is not” thank you for sharing.
Kristi , this is a terrific synopsis of what I saw as well. It was a joy to see his family support such a major life undertaking. It is amazing to me how long he carried this version of himself for so long from world class male athlete to husband and father, but questioning himself all along the way. Good post, BTG
I so appreciate your positive feedback, as I was not sure if I captured all of the thoughts and feelings I have held since seeing this well enough for others to understand. Thanks for making me feel like I did:)
Reblogged this on JEZZ THORPE and commented:
In about half a million years’ time the male ‘Y’ chromosome will no longer exist. Perhaps humans will become hermaphrodites? And by then hopefully we’ll finally have learned to be accepting and welcoming of each other’s differences. Here’s hoping…
Well said Kristi. There are many who disagree, and yet, for me, the key criteria is truth. Regardless of the impact in the physical world, being true to yourself and to others is the only real way to live. Thank You.
Paul, thank you for taking the time to read this and to share your insightful comments. The truth is definitely the key to life, and my heart goes out to anyone, who for whatever reason, believes they cannot be true to themselves or others.
Love and kindness are always the answer. The suicide rate in the LGBT is egregious because of people acting as if they have a right to impose their opinion on others. We all get to choose how we want to live our lives. Thank you for standing up for kindness. New fan here. ❤
Kindness Blog 
Reblogged this on That's Another Story.
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Very inspiring write. Kindness and love can heal the deepest of wounds. Love your outlook on life.
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Thank you so much for sharing your kind words. I was worried that this post may not be received well, so, it is comforting to know that you took away a positive message from it. Thanks!!!
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Well said. Living a lie, no matter how large or small, is a hard, hard road. Good for Bruce to finally find his own way and be who he felt he always should have been. I applaud courage like that.
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I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts here, and I, too, applaud Bruce and anyone who lives out loud without fear. We have one life, and we need to embrace it and live it fully and genuinely. Glad that you understood what I was attempting to convey!
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Very lovely piece… I agree with everything you said, what a world it would be if all could be like that…. much love to you. Michelle
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Beautifully written and well said. I have come to believe that kindness is more powerful than people may know or believe. One of my favorite quotes: ” Kindness is possible even if fondness is not” thank you for sharing.
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I really am grateful for your compliments and most of all for sharing your thoughts and such a great quote. Thank you so much!
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Kristi , this is a terrific synopsis of what I saw as well. It was a joy to see his family support such a major life undertaking. It is amazing to me how long he carried this version of himself for so long from world class male athlete to husband and father, but questioning himself all along the way. Good post, BTG
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I so appreciate your positive feedback, as I was not sure if I captured all of the thoughts and feelings I have held since seeing this well enough for others to understand. Thanks for making me feel like I did:)
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A great post that makes us think
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Thanks, as I hope it does in only the best way possible!
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Reblogged this on It's Me, Ardyey!.
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Many thanks for reblogging this!
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Reblogged this on JEZZ THORPE and commented:
In about half a million years’ time the male ‘Y’ chromosome will no longer exist. Perhaps humans will become hermaphrodites? And by then hopefully we’ll finally have learned to be accepting and welcoming of each other’s differences. Here’s hoping…
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I am grateful to you for reblogging this!
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Well said Kristi. There are many who disagree, and yet, for me, the key criteria is truth. Regardless of the impact in the physical world, being true to yourself and to others is the only real way to live. Thank You.
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Paul, thank you for taking the time to read this and to share your insightful comments. The truth is definitely the key to life, and my heart goes out to anyone, who for whatever reason, believes they cannot be true to themselves or others.
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Love and kindness are always the answer. The suicide rate in the LGBT is egregious because of people acting as if they have a right to impose their opinion on others. We all get to choose how we want to live our lives. Thank you for standing up for kindness. New fan here. ❤
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Nancy, thank you very much for posting your comments, and know that your words mean a great deal to me. You have a new fan in me, as well.
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Yes…imagine a world where we treated each other with respect and kindness- regardless of agreeing or understanding…beautiful thoughts and post.
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So glad you got the gist of what I was trying to say, as I worried that something would get lost in translation. I really appreciate your kind words!
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It all comes back to being judged – we shouldn’t judge someone else based on our own values. We just don’t know how much pain they are suffering.
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i loved and agree with every word of this.
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Thanks so very much, Laura!
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