International Daughters (Genderqueer) Day!
September 27, 2020
Today is International Daughters’ Day! How lovely a day set aside to appreciate the blessing of daughters! This important day originated in India where some cultures view daughters as a burden and families without male children are stigmatized. I feel phenomenally blessed with my three biological children and four children by marriage- and extra blessed to have also six grandchildren. I delight in the gift, beauty, power and insight brought to life by each unique individual. So for me all these specific days are now Non-binary/Genderqueer Celebration Days!
Much of this past decade of my life I’ve learned that who I am as defined by society has limited my freedom to live. Being defined, and defining Self by gender roles and expectations diminishes our creative right to define our Natural Self. We are often shamed into conformity. I have purposefully invested time and energy into unlearning some of these damaging guidelines and restrictions that cause us to excise parts of ourselves and embrace only what is deemed “appropriate”.
Exploring the Sacred Feminine and Divine Masculine has broadened my understanding and deepened my connection to Authentic Self, allowing me to become who I Am! Each Soul and being possesses a balance of these exquisite energies; and if left intact these energies help us grow and become individuals who are comfortable with the many qualities that work together to create, vision and build the things that are within us. While I have always identified with the Feminine and hold a deep love for Women and Nature, I also learned that I possess many characteristics assigned to the Masculine. I have come to understand that it is not the Divine Masculine that I hold at distance with loathing and suspicion. It is the destructive macho masculinity that has been hyped by our oppressive patriarchal defining of boys and men.
This version of masculinity is toxic. It stunts our boys, teaching them they are not permitted to be vulnerable, and only dominance and anger are appropriate feelings with which they should identify and demonstrate. It teaches our girls that they must soften and become mute. Girls are served a steady diet of lies meant to convince them they are not worthy and are without power of their own. It kills any opportunity for individuals to relate as humans who experience the range of feelings and long to share deeply with one another. This destructive patriarchal masculinity is what seeks dominion over all things natural and good – it is killing our Earth and maiming our people.
We are learning that the binary gender definition subjects us to harsh judgement and denies the rights of each Being to define Self as guided by Spirit and deep Knowing. My heart is lifted whenever I see societal progress toward less judgement and more acceptance. This after all, has been the practice of all great spiritual teachers, why not us? There really is no need to assign specific roles and traits and characteristics based on some arbitrary biological factor(s).
On this occasion of International Daughters Day I say thank you to all beings who have helped me to see the expanded truth and beauty of honoring each as valid and valuable. I no longer feel the need to specify gender of my children, grandchildren, or anyone. I recognize that We, Each and All, are a beautiful blend of the masculine and feminine and how we choose to express Self is completely up to each Being. May we embrace the beauty of one another and support one another in Love, Kindness, Compassion and Peace.
Reference for origins of this day:
https://nationaldaycalendar.com/international-daughters-day-fourth-sunday-in-september/














