brian shivers

  Hate is the danger. Not gender; Not orientation; Not identity; Not race; Not  nationality; Not color; Not hue; Not language; Not migrants; Not immigration status; Not immigrants; Not refugees; Not the undocumented; Not disability; Not ability; Not neurodiversity; Not age; Not religion; Not creed; Not doctrine; Not the houseless; Not the hungry; Not the jobless; Not the poor; Not the wealthy. What puts us at risk is hatred; especially hatred masquerading as righteousness

They were told they took up too much space, so they began to shrink even more. Until they realized that they belonged to the space they occupied, and it belonged to them. They were created to be in it. And someone else’s insecurities were never a reason to diminish their light. So they began to shine all the more. -bshivers

Where were you when you finally realized that you are worthy of love, acceptance, and space to be? If it wasn’t any other place or any other time, then let it be here and let it be now. -bshivers

You did it. You made it through another day into another evening. Sometimes, that’s all you can do. It’s quite the accomplishment. And it is enough. Rest well. -bshivers

Wherever there is, we can only get there together. None of us journey alone. The task is to ensure everyone arrives safely with the opportunity to thrive all along the way. -bshivers

We must not let go of empathy. It is humane. It is human. It is love expressed in caring compassion. It is vital for us to be us and not just a collection of individuals. -bshivers  

Empathy -   running the risk of seeing the world from another’s point of view, of imagining what it might be like to be there instead of here, of feeling the way someone else feels, of knowing your perspective is not the only one. Empathy is what makes us human. Empathy is what brings us closer to the divine. Empathy is the way to a better us. -bshivers

No matter what your faith is,   how you pray, where you worship, or what you call the divine, I hope your faith is edifying, gives you meaning, leads you to serve others, and informs the manner in which you dwell in the world. I hope you have the same hope for me. However, neither my religion, your religion, nor anyone else’s religion should ever become the codified law of the land infringing upon the rights of others to practice whatever religion they choose or to experience liberty from tyranny. -bshivers

 

 

 

It begins in long nights and short days. It begins with ashes and quiet reminders of mortality. It doesn’t end there. Our story continues through lengthening daylight, blossoming trees, blooming flowers, and a promise of life breaking in yet again. -bshivers

Be honest with yourself about your frailty. There is no need to pretend. You know the truth. And you are loved right there in the fullness of you. Remember you are dust. And to dust you will return. -bshivers

frailty. We try everything we can to escape our frailty. And yet, it is always there. There is no need to run. It is gift, not curse. It binds us one to another and to every other living thing. It is the birthplace of compassion, of mercy, of kindness, of love. Embrace it. We draw closer when we remember we all come from dust and to dust we shall return. -bshivers

Dear all magnificent transgender, intersex, nonbinary, gender fluid, and people who embody all of the other diverse and fabulous expressions of gender, you are the beloved of God in the fullness of your beautiful humanity. You always have been. You always will be. -bshivers

Sing the song even when you can’t find the key. Dance the dance even when you don’t know the steps. It’s not your perfection, but your joy that brings light and life to a dreary world. -bshivers

There is much for which we wait; so much that weighs heavy upon our longing hearts. In the midst of it all, let us fix our eyes on visions of what may yet be; let us tune our ears to hear sounds of possibility; let us train our voices to sing songs of hope; let strengthen our bodies to prepare for the work ahead. The weight may remain the same, but the burden upon our souls will lighten. -bshivers

Masculinity is toxic when it belittles others; makes jokes at another’s expense; feigns strength by making others feel inferior; shouts over the words of another; demands that others bow at its feet or “kiss the ring”; only desires “yes”; pressures others to do its will; decides what femininity looks like, sounds like, dresses like, behaves like; believes the world can only, should only look the way it looks from its vantage point; thinks that normal is its own experience and nothing else; uses physicality to intimidate; seizes power; fails up; doubts, denies, denigrates anything or anyone that isn’t like it. We are being destroyed, eaten alive, by its influence and sway. We must demand a better way. -bshivers

For many, infamy is far better than the risk of being forgotten. People may curse their name, but at least they will still be talked about. -bshivers

Every child is the first child, as if there had never been another. Every person alive is the only person, as if there will never be another. Every creature crawling, every flower blooming, every living thing living. Every single one is one. This is how we must learn to count, to keep track of the inherent value of each and every one. -bshivers

It’s not our weakness that frightens us, it’s our strength. So we pretend as if we can’t. We hide our giftedness from self and others. All the while, the world waits for the brilliance of our light to shine. Together, we can chase away all of the shadows until every life has the opportunity to glimmer in the hope of a beautiful tomorrow. -bshivers

One thing, find one thing you deeply appreciate about someone, something, the world, your self, this moment, the past your mind, a book, a show, a song, a painting. Just one thing. Then tomorrow, try again. -bshivers

Don’t allow the words you hear only in your head wound your spirit or leave a permanent stain on your soul. Speak more highly of yourself for the words you use become the truth you believe. -bshivers

There’s a lot happening simultaneously. Don’t try to take it all in all at once. Take small bites. Breathe in between. Spit out the toxins. You will need breaks. Remember, no one can ingest everything. Find nourishment for your spirit. The work demands healthy habits and community. - bshivers

It’s about people. Protecting people; all of the people - people who are immigrants, migrants, refugees; people who are lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and anywhere under the beautiful rainbow umbrella; people who are Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Jane, Wiccan, atheist, agnostic, and who practice any other religious expression; people who don’t look like you, think like you, talk like you, reason like you, believe like you; people who dwell in your house, down the street, across town, in neighboring states, from countries you’ve visited and those you avoid; people whose skin has a different amount of melanin than yours. People. All people. It’s always been about protecting people even at risk to yourself. -bshivers

She doesn’t belong to you. She is her own person, an autonomous whole. She cannot be bought or sold, contained or controlled. You do not complete her, nor are you her savior or knight in shining armor. She moves through the world with power beyond your imagination full of wisdom, intelligence, strength, beauty, and grace. Nations are birthed through her labor pains. Empires crumble at her feet. She is woman and more than you will ever know. -bshivers

Speaking of others in a way that dehumanizes, minimizes, marginalizes, dismisses, ridicules, vilifies, demonizes is a dangerous pathway toward hatred and violence and genocide. -bshivers

Leadership is never about centralized power. Leadership empowers, nurtures, partners, collaborates. Leadership creates room for others to become and celebrates their journey. -bshivers  

It is our duty to protect the vulnerable, the children, the mistreated, the forgotten, the oppressed, the marginalized, the maligned, the cast aside, the ones seeking liberation, those called odd, weird, different by others who will never understand their genius and the beauty of their lives. It is our duty. -bshivers

The point is community, not unanimity or uniformity; to work together for the sake of one another; to look out for the most vulnerable in our midst; to seek justice for the marginalized; to ensure liberation for the oppressed; to strive for equity for all, not simply equality; to celebrate our wonderful diversity; to draw near to one another, for proximity drives out ignorance and fear; and ultimately to love. - bshivers