Nancy Wichmann

So many of us describe ourselves as having a masculine side and a feminine side to our personalities. Some go even further and talk about the side we are not currently showing in the third person (i.e. he or she is .).

I believe this is a dangerous practice. To me this indicates less than a full acceptance of ourselves as a whole human being.

Several years ago I started consciously allowing my "feminine side" to be openly expressed when I was "en homme." As I got better at doing this I found myself becoming happier, less frequently depressed, and more open with those I cared about. That's all good.

We must learn to love and accept all of ourselves. Trying to compartmentalize our personality is a recipe for depression and disaster.

My God accepts me the way I am - as a matter of fact, as I wrote elsewhere, I believe He chose this burden for me to somehow further His kingdom on Earth.

If He can accept - and love - me this way, then I surely should be able to do the same.

It serves me little good to worry about what others may think of me. The only thing that matters is what I think of me. I choose to be me and to love all of me just the way I am.

We can't afford to choose "sides." We must be ourselves, whatever that may be and however we have to express ourselves.

A house divided against itself cannot stand. -- President Abraham Lincoln