INTRODUCTION

Who am I? Am I the name I was given upon my birth? It is true, people often refer to us by our name, and names do have a certain energy and symbolism of their own, but is it really who we are? William Shakespeare confronts the often deceiving aspect of relying too heavily on names to describe something or someone when he says,“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” He’s right of course. So, if we are not our names, perhaps it is what we do that says who we are. Many people define themselves by the jobs they hold, the roles they play or the purpose they fulfill or fail to fulfill in their daily lives. Teacher, lawyer, doctor, secretary, engineer, programmer, salesperson, chef or housekeeper. Mother, father, daughter, son, husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend. These jobs and roles do say a lot about us, but again, are they really who we are?

Humanity loves to quantify aspects of life in order to define people and measure their value. How much money do they make? Do they rent or own? Are they married? Do they have children? Do they own a computer, cell phone or flat screen TV? Do they purchase their clothes from upper-end retailers or do they buy them from discount stores or even thrift shops? Does any of this really matter? Are we really only a compilation of superficial elements subject to public opinion? Do we have value if we have nothing or no one in our life?

I believe that it is our choices that define us rather than our more external aspects. I also believe that everyone has value no matter what. I view human beings as multi-dimensional manifestations of body, mind, spirit and energy and recognize that it’s up to each individual to travel their own personal journey through life in order to find the answers they are seeking. And when we are ready, we will know who we really are.

I have always been curious in nature and enjoy learning new things. I am especially fascinated by that which is deemed beyond explanation or topics which many people disagree about. As long as I can remember, I viewed the world through an idealist’s eyes and saw beyond the limits that many perceived. I also believed that something could exist even though we may lack a means to prove it and had faith in things that others only hoped were real.

To disregard that which is unseen, unproven or controversial is unwise. To avoid even discussing the possibilities that exist in this world is just tragic. Unfortunately, it’s done all the time. A wonderful quote from the musical movie“1776” captures this concept brilliantly. When the vote was tied regarding the question of whether or not to debate the feasibility of Ame