Finger Painting

Do you remember kindergarten, when the teacher taught you to paint? Everybody stood behind a big easel with a huge sheet of paper and we were taught how to use the paints without making a mess.

Later, a model of some kind was placed in the center and we were told to draw it with paints. During a timed session we were left to transfer what we saw onto the page. Wasn’t it interesting?

No matter what the teacher used as a model, every painting was different. Not only because of artistic ability, but interpretation as well. As in adult life, we focus on different aspects. With a bowl of fruit, some artists paint the bowl, others place the banana in front of the apple, obliterating evidence that the grapes ever existed.

This is a great representation of individuality. It proves that unless somebody gives specific instructions and watches the progress, the results can vary. It also proves that people will follow their own heart.

God, or Whoever you worship, in Their wisdom gave us a set of instructions and left us to follow our heart in fulfilling those directions. As we fulfill our destiny, we must allow others that freedom, too.

Just as there is no right or wrong way to draw the bowl of fruit, the final drawing is up to the individual. Therefore nobody has the right to criticize another person’s painting. Why do we think we are free to judge and direct another?

If somebody asks for an opinion, do you condemn? If somebody chooses to live their life differently than you, do you have a right to criticize? I was given cause to examine my beliefs the other day. I realized my righteous indignation had turned into reverse bigotry.

I wrote about tolerance, but I wasn’t aware that I’d grown intolerant toward the other side of the spectrum. Some kinds of prejudice must never be tolerated, but as I said, I must love all my fellow children.

Intolerance is expressed in many ways. Just as we must see good in the paintings of others, we must allow our fellow trans the freedom to be individual. Did you ever consider how futile it is to organize a group of trans under one banner? There are as many different expressions of gender dysphoria as there are artists. There are more, when you consider every person on the earth.

Along with unlearning prejudice, I’m learning that lesson this week. I hope we can all find joy in our expression. May we appreciate the feel of finger painting and forget about whether our picture actually looks like the bowl of fruit or not.