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It's TAY-DAY!

Can you feel it?

The excitement in the air is palpable.

Taylor Swift, music icon and legend, is performing her opening show in Toronto tonight.

She's here for six shows - in the SIX.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, rest, then repeat the following week.

Where does she get the energy?

Hopefully it is fueled somewhat by the thousands of fans who are descending upon the city in droves to see her.

Security is tight.

Streets will be closed.

And rightfully so.

For with such popularity also come the detractors.

Witness the concerts in Vienna, Austria, which were cancelled because of security threats.

But this is more than just a concert.

This is an event in the grand scheme of things; a polarizing mark in the space-time continuum.

Where were you when Taylor Swift came to Toronto?

Her largesse extending to the economics surrounding the venue; cities and towns reaping the benefits of the rewards of a visit by Her Swiftness.

It has even been dubbed "Swiftnomics".

For indeed is it a cult-like phenomenon.

A cult of giving.

A cult of generosity.

Of support, friendship, inclusivity and acceptance.

It is unmatched, I believe; unlike anything we have ever seen before.

In this "era" of divisiveness, separateness, of "I", "you", "we" and "them", for Taylor Swift fans it is "us".

A togetherness celebrating good things; of joy and love and positivity and hope.

All of her fans get it.  Understand what it means.

I am highly suspect of any of her detractors.

She herself was the first one to admit that the haters are gonna hate, and there is nothing more to do but to "Shake It Off!"

How can anyone not like Taylor Swift and what she inherently stands for?

To say that is like saying one doesn't like Valentine's Day, or Santa Claus, or the Tooth Fairy.

I can only imagine that these people are extremely unhappy individuals with unhappy lives.

The irony is that they could use a little Swift magic!

I don't remember when it was that I actually became a Swiftie.

I think it was around the time she came out with Reputation.

Then I bought 1989, and then Lover.

"You are what you love!"

Those three CD's are on constant repeat while I am driving in my car.

I am probably one of her oldest fans.

At 62, I am definitely up there.

But her fans know no bounds; there are no right and wrong ages, types, genders, religions, political affiliations.

We are all included; all welcomed.

As long as we are all nice.

And Taylor herself sets the bar high on that one.

A recent video shows her correcting her security guard asking the paparazzi to stand back "Please!"

How Swift!

That is the way the world should be.

More niceness.  More kindness.  More tolerance.  More inclusivity.  More giving.  More acceptance.  

She is showing us the way, by being the example that she is.

And as we go forward in these tumultuous times, full of uncertainty in many different arenas and even of fear in some cases, we must try to still look towards the light.

The good.

The positive.

And let's all try to be inspired by this young lady who has paved her own way, made her own rules, helped others, encouraged many, and supports all those who deserve it.

Welcome to Toronto, Taylor Swift!

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