Components of Spirituality # 5: Is it time to "own" yourself?

It was one of the points of my life at which I felt most lost. Divorce, losing my job, death of one of my children, estrangement from the other, all happening at once. I tried to find the guidelines to the further pathway of my life.  All the markers to the trail I had traveled had been erased and I searched for marker buoys, that would return my life to a set course.

I tried different churches, different support groups, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.

I was the receipient of many "self improvement" books and tapes so I read and listened.  I felt most comfortable with the congregation of the local Universal Unitarian Church.  I quickly discovered that they accept anyone at their worship services, folks of other faiths, believers of Eastern Philosophies, gays and lesbians, anyone.  There were several support groups in that church but the one with whom I felt at home, was a Buddhist discussion group.

The most interesting belief of the Unitarians is a "healthy skeptecism" of the virgin birth and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  All of a suddent it became OK for me to question those "umiversal truths," upon which I raised.

Once I passed that threshold, I was on my way to "owning myself."

Owning myself is the most empowering, the most "free" I have ever experienced.

In future blogs, I will share how you can own yourself, if you make that choice.  I will also express my opimions regarding religions.  Some folks, perhaps even many or most, may not like my opinions.  That is more than OK with me, as long as we are "ladies and gentlemen," in expressing our opinions and as long as you do not threaten me or mine.  Please avoid  "getting personal" and I promise to treat your opions with respect, even as I (may) disagree.

Owning oneself, is not for everyone.  I am no "evaangelist."  Further, I have no intention of trying to dissuade anyone from whatever faith they currentlhy practice.

As for me, "I've been there and done that," with regard to any organized religion.  My practice is my own and I can never go back to allowing some religion governing how I live my life.  My choice.  Yours can be different and good for you, if it works and makes you happy.

Dr. Walter Wayne Hopewell