I’m so happy.

President Barack Obama’s nominee for Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan feels like my soul sister ~ her nickname “Shorty” ~ was my late father’s during WWII as a RCAF/RAF navigator/bombardier flying Mosquitos. He won a DFC at 19. He was a war hero. He lived an heroic life.

Today, Ms. Kagan is my newest hero. Her biggest battles are ahead of her.

Best of all, I “came out” with pizazz to my first class of the term, this morning. A first for me.

It was the best first day I’ve ever had.

At 10:45 a.m., I launched the first ever summer term of my class, “Leadership in Society” or SOC300 102. This is a General Education elective at Seneca College. Students are required to take them to graduate.

I was also late. Wow, that really adrenalizes you.

There’s nothing students love more than energy. Especially in a windowless classroom where the sunshine has to come from somewhere.

And guess what ? I introduced you to my students. Psych Central. Us. Our community. This blog. On the big wide screen of my classroom.

This sparked an enlightening discussion all about what the multiple-meanings of the term “coming out” means ~ “being yourself,” one student said. “Being free,” said another. “Opening a new door,” said a third.

What does the word “crazy” mean to you?

“You hear it all the time, but now it’s in a new context that gives it new meaning,” A third student said, “It’s more out in the open.”

“Anyone can be a little crazy,” a fifth student said.

My heart skipped a beat. When another said, “beyond the norm,” I asked. “And what’s the norm, do you think?”

Finally, we arrived at the conclusion that, “We’re all next to normal…”  My words. They were so engaged. I adored them. Afterwards, one student greeted me in the hall with a hug.

It was a very short class. Just 50 minutes. Walking in about five minutes late, something I try to avoid because it sets a bad example, the air in the room was filled with anxiety. When I left, one student asked, earnestly, “Did you come in late on purpose, so you could do what you did?”

No. I was just in the moment, turning adversity to my advantage. Something I like to make a habit of doing.

No one asked the real question…

The real question, and no one asked it, was why I late on the first day of school?

The answer? F286.

F286 penned me a comment at 1:07 a.m. I was asleep when it arrived, but at 5:22 a.m. I woke up and checked my correspondence here. There it was ~ my only new comment.

So short and pointed, I’m going to share it with you. By the way, it was in response to the lovely welcome Psych Central Founder and CEO John M. Grohol, Psych.D. wrote last Monday on the day he introduced Coming Out Crazy here just eight days ago on Monday, May 3, 2010.

F286 said this:

“What an unfortunate title for the blog. I am certain there will be people offended by it. You should re-think that one.”

I was waiting for this comment. What took so long?

I’m surprised this comment took so long to come. I was waiting for it.

It was waiting for approval and I approved it instantly.

Then I returned to adding the finishing touches to my introductory lesson plan.

But F286 kept niggling me. Not because I haven’t heard that reaction to my brand name before. But because it was lying there unanswered.

So even though I risked running late for the first day of class, I decided to answer it. Right then and there.

Here’s what I said to F286.

My reply to F286…

Hi F286,

I am sorry you find the title of my blog offensive. Though you are not the first person ever to express this point of view, you are the first person thus far out of all commenters at Psych Central to express this opinion and I agree, I am sure you will not be the last. I respect your opinion, though you have not revealed what it is specifically about the title of this blog that offends you. Or why.

Nonetheless, you are entitled to your opinions and feelings and I respect your honesty and courage in expressing them. In this case, however, we are going to have to agree to disagree. “Coming Out Crazy” will remain the title of my blog and over the next short while, I will be explaining why I chose it.

You might also consider, if you haven’t already, reading other posts here beyond the one called About Coming Out Crazy as they might give you additional insights about the name of this blog and why it is so central to its ethos and to me, personally. Indeed, to all people who are frightened about living with a diagnosis of a mental illness and may feel in some way marginalized by their diagnoses. Who want to feel and be treated like anyone else, like human beings.

All human beings are born equal. None is the same. Different perhaps, but not less than anyone else. All human beings are unique. As Temple Grandin said in her talk on TED.com “The World Needs All Kinds of Minds,” and in the fine biopic about her life, “I may be different, but not less.”

Additional insights will unfold here, as time goes on. I’ve only just begun. I hope this helps even though I am sure it is not the answer you may have expected.

I thank you sincerely for expressing this point of view and opening up the dialogue.

Wishing you well,
sln

Thank you, F286, wherever you are. Beginnings are critical, hopeful ~ in teaching, in politics, in life. You inspired me today and I started my “Leadership in Society” class with a bang. Your timing was impeccable. I couldn’t have lesson-planned it better.

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From Psych Central's website:
Belonging to yourself… | Coming Out Crazy (May 16, 2010)

    Last reviewed: 11 May 2010