Hmmmmm ... where do I begin? There have been so many things that have happened over the past month. Pride celebrations, parties, the beginning of my summer break from teaching my Sunday school class and my favorite thing of all ... more personal growth.
I can tell you that I remember times when I have read a certain book; attended a certain class; took part in a certain conversation; and plenty of times when I just knew that I had reached the epitome of spiritual knowledge. I was preaching to everybody about what they should and shouldn't do; how they should and shouldn't behave; and I was passing as much judgment as those 'non-spiritual' folks. Why? Because, I felt I had 'arrived'. I didn't have to study hard any more because 'I finally got it'. How arrogant of me.
After each and every one of those times I realized something. If I 'finally got it' after each one of those life-altering events, yet more events were still occurring, maybe there was a chance that I DIDN'T get it at all ... whatever IT was. And if I didn't know all there was to know ... just how much more was there to learn and experience? And if there was more to learn and experience, when would I finally graduate from the class called life? And since there was so much work to be done ... there better be a medal to hang outside my door once it was all over. How ignorant of me.
What I have learned in all of my years of studying spirituality and having opposing views to traditional religion is that I only substituted what I had before for a new 'air of righteousness'. The more I learned metaphysical principles and was able to quote certain philosophies, doctrines, and authors ... the more I felt as though I knew more than the average person. True, I had read things that your average person wouldn't even consider reading; but I have learned that reading, memorizing, writing and regurgitating words doesn't make you Queen of Knowledge.
Was this easy for me to accept? Well actually ... YES it was. Throughout my growth, my studies, my travels ... I have contemplated the greatest mystery of all, the mystery of my Self/my personality. I asked myself questions, like, Who am I ... really? Why do I do the things I do? Why do certain things bother me while others don't? What am I doing that I really don't want to do? How can I continue to be ignorant of who I am and what I am made of and then expect to be able to come from a place of truth when working with others to find themselves? I can't and I don't; not anymore.
Who is Anita? She is an entity that is striving to conquer ... not others but herself. She is someone taking the time, the energy and all the strength she can muster up to look behind what everyone else sees and see the beauty of her own inner spirit. She is the woman that chooses to operate from her Higher Self in all interactions. She is a seeker of truth ... her truth; the woman that continues to search for the right questions to ask herself to bring about a deeper understanding of who she is and what her life's purpose is here, while she still has time to live it out. Now I'm going to ask you a tough question ... who are you? Do you know?
If you can find the words to articulate who you are, please introduce yourself to me. E-mail me at anita@purrfectharmonyinc.com .
Nomination
Deadline for Hall of Fame Extended to Aug. 5
The deadline to nominate individuals and organizations for induction into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame has been extended to Aug. 5. Nominators can download or print forms from the Hall of Fame Web site ( www.GLHallofFame.org ) or request one by calling ( 312 ) 744-7911 and leaving a mailing address. Completed nominations should be sent to: The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on LGBT Issues, 740 N. Sedgwick St., Suite 300, Chicago, Ill. 60610-3478.
The 2005 Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame induction ceremony and reception will be held on Nov. 1 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph.
The ceremony is open to all for free.
