ALL YOU HAVE TO DO:

(image via icanread.tumblr)

#INSPIRED

Relevant then & even more relevant now:

“If a child on the street, who has nothing, is willing to share. Why are we, who have everything, still so greedy?”

A special Smile Wednesday

So there are a few reasons why I am posting this particular video today. The first is that if you know me (or my mother) you will know that I am very proud of my Welsh heritage. My name Sioned has given me a lifetime of mispronunciation, explanations and headaches but I would never change it because it represents one half of who I am.

 

The second reason is that the Rugby World Cup is going on right now and I am borderline obsessed with the tournament. I have grown up watching my siblings play rugby and all my relatives from Wales are die-hard fans, so you could say that I have been a little influenced. I love the no commercials during games, the confusing rules, the fans and the amazing camaraderie amongst opposing players.

Australian fans via www.rugbyworldcup.com

French fans via www.worldcup.com

Samoan fans via www.rugbyworldcup.com

My third reason is that Neonology is about undoing all the oppression that exists in our communities. A big part of that oppression exists within the language we use. In our presentations we talk a lot about the term ‘that’s so gay’ and what it really means. We try to connect the fact that people are using an important part of someone’s identity to describe something bad. It doesn’t make sense and it doesn’t ever feel good. If you are having a hard time with this, try taking something that you love about yourself and imagine if everyone used that to describe something that sucked. ALL THE TIME. Imagine you heard that everyday by people you love and respect. It would be terrible right?! No one deserves to feel so unworthy.

And fourth and most importantly (because you are all wondering how the first three points relate to one another), is Gareth Thomas:

Gareth Thomas via www.blog.bettor.com

Gareth Thomas is Welsh, Gareth Thomas plays professional rugby (and is one of the most celebrated rugby players in the world), and Gareth Thomas is gay. In fact, Gareth is the only openly gay professional athlete still actively playing in professional leagues. This video gives a brief glimpse into his life before and after he came out to the world.

 

 

I have always been proud of my Welsh heritage but learning about Gareth Thomas a few years ago, has made my heart sing with pride! He breaks stereotypes about what being gay means, he recognizes the role that the sports world has in regards to stopping homophobia, and he is living his truth, which at the end of the day is what we are all trying to do.

Thank you Gareth for being a living example of Neonology!!

- Sioned

This Is It…

(image via google images)

 

Okay so if you live in the Vancouver area, you will agree that summer and Vancouver are clearly fighting. Vancouver must not have invited summer to its birthday party because summer is obviously mad and won’t come out to play.

 

So what are we supposed to do?

 

I feel like I have spent too many days moping around feeling bummed out that my hopes of sunshine and beach days will not happen. My attitude has been terrible until I saw this quote which thankfully broke my cycle of whining.

 

(image via icanread.tumblr)

 

In life there are no guarantees, we really only can be sure of this moment. Most of us are lucky to assume that we will have a million more moments, but many live everyday not knowing if this moment will be their last. We should spend more time making the best of these moments rather than waiting for the ‘right’ moment. If I waited for the sun came out before I went to the beach, I may never go- I may be waiting for months!

 

So make this moment count, make it genuine for you and don’t wait for someone to give you the life you want.

 

Have fun in the sun, rain or clouds!

 

Sioned