Jeffrey Marsh | Amy Deneson

Mega Monday Motivation News: Jeffrey Marsh’s book How to Be You is coming out this week!

As gushed when I received the extraordinary honor to review their book:

The luminous Jeffrey Marsh gifts us all with How to Be You. Expanding from their sparks of online affirmations into an enlightening how-to manual for self-discovery and delight, Jeffrey guides us through the creative, ever-evolving process of understanding and accepting ourselves. Ultimately, they remind us the best person we can become is our self.

The finished book is wonderful. Flipping through, I couldn’t resist doing an exercise inviting me to list a few of my favorite things. Jeffrey suggests enjoying the Q&A might reveal clues about myself, a pattern to my attractions. Let’s see…

Jeffrey Marsh, How to Be You

My Favorite Things:

Ice Cream Flavor? Steve’s Bklyn Blackout Cake

Insect? Firefly

Movie? Pretty in Pink

Subject to Learn About? Women

Toenail polish color? All nails in Chanel 483 Vendetta

President? Hillary Clinton!!

Game? Tetris

Fish? Allergic

Breakfast cereal? (When I ate cereal) Cocoa Puffs

Book or Play? Book: Giovanni’s Room, James Baldwin. Play: The Crucible, Arthur Miller.

Thing to do on Saturdays? Run

Time to take a bath? After an airplane ride

Sport? To play: soccer. To watch: basketball.

Kind of math problem? Long division

Season? Summer

Singer? Impossible to only list one–unless blending a few of their names together counts–whitneyprincekatymarvinbeydollyselenacashkellybonniefogertysomanymore

Color to wear? All hues of denim

Food? Chips

AND an additional favorite thing? If you buy the book today, you’re supporting Jeffrey as well as contributing $1 to GLSEN. Buying today supports a trifecta of benefit. In Jeffrey’s words: “I proudly support GLSEN and their mission that every student should be treated with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. I’m proud to donate $1 from every book sold during pre-sales, from now until August 1, 2016, to GLSEN to further support safe and affirming K-12 schools for all students.”

How to Be You is such a gift of support and sure to be an instant favorite for so many.

http://www.jeffreymarsh.com

The luminous Jeffrey Marsh invited me to share my coming out story on their podcast.

For me coming out as -sexual was revolutionary in and of itself. After growing up in the 1990’s evangelical Christian purity culture, owning my sexuality, regaining my personal agency, had to happen before I could even began to attach prefixes, like bi-.

As discussed with Jeffrey, I am deeply grateful that the faith community I grew up in instilled the importance of sharing first-person narratives–of testifying. Testimonies, whether delivered during services or via podcasts, help us to find connection. Personal stories have the power to unite individuals by fostering understanding and empathy. They help us to evolve, to become ourselves.

I’m so grateful that Jeffrey gifted me with the opportunity to share my story about coming out and keeping my heart open in Coming Out with Jeffrey Marsh: #15 Keep Your Heart Open.