Interview with Chris Hedges
I enjoy taking care of my youngest son. He has autism, so he has taught me a lot about patience, love, and not worrying about others.
Chris Hedges is my most favorite friend because she is extremely humble and sweet to everyone here on Medium and I am dead sure in real life too. I read her first in March and since then I have not missed any of her posts because I just love her write-ups a lot. My interactions started in the comments section and I knew since the start we will turn out to be real good friends.
I love her caring nature towards everyone and she is hardworking too. She has done many things in our publication #illumination and for that, I really admire her a lot. She has good knowledge in many spheres of life starting from technology to life to relationships. I joined her publication Red Curtain Erotica a few months ago and I loved the sincerity and honesty of members there too. I have been an erotica fan for years and by the grace of God, I found my calling here too.
I would say if you really want to be with a humble and sweet soul then it is Chris Hedges for you. She won’t judge you, she won’t fight with you, she doesn’t shout and scowls, all she knows is how to spread love and positivity in the life of others. I am a living example of it. I will always love her for her up beating attitude and making me laugh until my jaws start hurting :)
I have rejoiced her answers and I hope you would love them too.
- Where do you belong to? Is there anything you would like to change about the place you belong to?
I live in the suburbs of Chicago, but I have lived all over the United States. My dad was in the Army, so we moved around all over the US. I was born in Hawaii, have lived in Kentucky, Indiana, and New Jersey as well. I am glad that I have been able to live near New York City as well as Chicago. When I was in college, I spent a semester in Washington, D.C. which was a fascinating time.
Because I have moved so much, I don’t ever feel like I have a home town. There are places where my relatives live, but I don’t really feel like I have any roots in anyone place.
If I could change where I live, I’d love to have people focus more on love than material things. We focus too much on material success and neglect love, human connections and other spiritual goals that are necessary for humans to obtain happiness. We seem to think more money will bring contentment, but it is elusive as we see in many rich people who can never seem to get enough.
I hope we have more love and acceptance in our society and less hate and conflict.
I am optimistic that we can achieve this sometime — I hope in my lifetime. Changes for the better are on the way. But, we have to continue to focus on making that change, rather than getting sucked back into the rat race and competition against each other, instead of building connections with each other.
2. What sets your soul on fire?
Creativity sets my soul on fire. I love writing and photography. Recording what’s on my mind and what is around me makes me excited. Also, learning to love myself and just feeling at peace. It has taken me a long time to be comfortable with me, but since I’ve been working on self-love, I can feel my soul soaring.
3. Which one is your favorite family memory and why?
There are so many, it is hard to think of just one. While there are always ups and downs, I am glad that my family has always been loving. I remember the warm feelings of Christmas gatherings, trips to visit relatives and road trips when I was a child. I was married, so I also remember fun times with my kids and my ex. Over all, there have been many happy memories. The best were when my two boys were born. Very exciting times!
4. Is there anyone in your life you could give your life for? If yes, why?
I would give my life for my children, my ex, my family and good friends. I hope I am never in that situation, but I love all of these people, so I would sacrifice myself for them.
5. Do you pour love into self from time to time?
I have learned that the best love comes from self-love. Once I figured that out, I was open to receive love from the universe and others. I practice self-love all the time. It has improved my life so much since I’ve been practicing it.
6. How often you observe the people near you?
I have always been an observer of people. I am curious to learn more, so I love watching and learning. I have also felt like an outsider many times, so observing is a way to figure out who I am. I also love role models and learning from others who know more about life than I do, so I try to absorb their best qualities that I observe.
7. Why do you hope for? Does it change something within you or around you?
I hope we can be happy as human beings and learn to love ourselves fully and to love everyone else. For the world to change, I have to always work on myself. We all need love. That is the basis of Jesus’ teachings — if you can love others and love yourself, it is the way to fulfill all of God’s requirements. It is pretty simple. I tend to make things too complicated, but it all comes down to love. Once we can increase love everywhere, we can make heaven on Earth.
8. How does it feel like being a woman to you?
It feels natural. Since I have started my transition, I have felt at peace. When I was younger, I was teased for my feminine traits. Now, I embrace them. The beautiful thing is that I don’t think about them as much now that I am six-months into my medical transition. Before, I never felt like I fit in. Now, I just “am.” It is beautiful.
9. What you would like us to remember you for?
Despite all my imperfections and flaws, that I want to always do the right thing. And, that I want people to love each other more. I want modern life to evolve from the zero-sum vicious struggle thinking and more into cooperation, nurturing and loving as our fundamental way of living.
10. How would you describe your life?
I am a minimalist. I find I am happiest when I don’t have to worry about a bunch of material objects and goals. I enjoy life. I enjoy taking care of my youngest son. He has autism, so he has taught me a lot about patience, love, and not worrying about others. In many ways, it has been freeing to be able to take care of him as my full-time job. Before, I was focused on work, work, and more work, so I didn’t get to spend as much time with my oldest son. I am glad I have this time with my youngest son.
11. What keeps you on your toes and how do you like to spend your time?
Writing and reading keeps me on my toes and thinking. I love learning and creating so it keeps me vibrant and stimulated. I also love figuring things out, so a challenge here and there is always nice. But, I also enjoy lots of relaxation and recharging time as well.
12. When life gives you lemon what do you make out of it?
Life is always going to have lemons. Plans will always go awry. I think it is best to focus on the journey and not worry so much about any particularity since life constantly changes. When I learned to accept that, I find I enjoy each day, even if it is a challenge at times. There is always something that can be enjoyed, even in the worst times. I have found making up my mind to find the enjoyable parts of life, even when times are difficult.
13. What mystery of life you would like to have an answer for?
I would love to see what the world would be like if we could truly have peace.
14. How were you different five years ago from what you are today?
I was working full time five years ago, then I had a heart issue that caused me to retire. I went from being focused on work, to having to focus on getting better myself, to focusing on helping take care of my son. It has been an evolution. I also decided to transition about five years ago when I was in the hospital. I figured out that life is too short, so it is important to make changes for the better.
15. What would you like to leave as your legacy? Is there any message you would like to communicate to us?
I want people to love themselves and love others. I am repeating a message that all the great people of all time have taught, so I’d like to be remembered as trying my best to exemplify those philosophies.
My message to everyone is “I love you” and want the best for everyone!
Chris Hedges is an Editor of ILLUMINATION, The Bad Influence, Red Curtain Erotica, The Tease, and Fortune Favors the Bold