It is impossible to avoid the warnings in the media out this month. The warnings that the bullies of the world are looking to target international locations associated with the United States and possibly international travelers.

I am scheduled to be an international traveler this month and I will not live in fear or be bullied out of it.

Just this week, I put my own child on a cross-country domestic flight to visit his grandparents.

For all of the frustration, angst and amount of time it takes to pass through travel related security, I continue to have faith in the system.

I will continue to travel, and when my budget and time allows, this travel will include international destinations.

Is there risk associated with living life and putting yourself out there? Sure there is. Not living under a rock exposes you to all sorts of things both good and bad.

I choose not to live under that rock. I push my comfort zones on purpose. This column is one of the ways that I do that.

I understand that my opinions are not always agreed with and or popular. There are times when writing on a certain topic can be a fulfilling and uplifting experience within the community.

Shared praise, shared passion for something positive and it becomes a very good day. There are other times when my views and opinions are not as popular and some of my readers or fellow community members are more than willing to let me know about it. That is ok as well.

I personally put myself out there in big ways and because of that I am prepared to handle what comes back to me directly. I have been told I am not credible, that I must have to be on some sort of drug to say what I say, and the worst of all leveled at me lately is that I simply write too well and that’s not fair.

I am still trying to wrap my head around that one.

If I could not handle all of this I would not choose to do what I do.

There have been occasions where I have had to field collateral damage to my friends and family because of my higher community profile and name recognition.

These people who are dear to me are, at times, dragged into situations that has absolutely nothing to do with them except for the fact that they happen to be associated with me.

That is wrong and they are being bullied when it happens.

Thank goodness they are good people that just let it roll off.

Bremerton is my community. I care very much about its future. Changes and challenges are in motion that will affect the direction and success of this city.

Conversations need to be had and questions need to be asked of those who are and would be leaders to get the most positive outcome possible.

These conversations and questions will not always be easy or popular, but the answers are very necessary.

Colleen Smidt is a longtime resident of Bremerton who writes weekly about community and political issues of interest to Bremerton residents.