LIFE IS A JOURNEY...

The following is the Chronicle shared by one fellowship member during our National Day of Prayer for the Healing of HIV and AIDS Community Service held on March 6, 2011.

“Life is a journey, not a destination…”

I am honored to join you today, to stand here before you, and share a glimpse into my story -MY JOURNEY… Through this spectacular experience we were each blessed with – called LIFE.

Let me briefly share a little about my background. I was raised in an environment of Catholic traditions. I attended Catholic Elementary school, Catholic High School, and a Catholic College. When I reached college, beyond my technical studies, I was immersed in an environment of liberal studies including theology, philosophy, religious history, and Biblical history - the last was taught by a Jesuit monk, get this - who studied at and received his Theology and Philosophy degrees from Bringham Young University (an historically Mormon school of higher education). My point is simply that I was exposed and experienced diverse perspectives of looking at and understanding the world around us. Then I went to a Jewish graduate school – Oy vey! My dedication to my personal spiritualism – and faith - comes from being molded by perspectives from numerous diverse philosophies and ideologies.

Many years later, in a different life, I embraced ongoing studies to develop my artistic skills as a painter. My primary teacher and artistic mentor played a pivotal role in polishing my perspectives on life, philosophy and faith. She was an insightful, intelligent, worldly Lady, who had lived for 20 years in China with her husband who served in the US Air Force. She came into my life at a time shortly after her husband and only son had passed.  In short – we became very close. She showed me the world through the eyes of eastern traditions and philosophies - including an appreciation of the Tao, the balance of Yin and Yang, and a deep understanding that our journey through life is dictated by two physical experiences –  1) our relationship with Nature and the world around us, and, 2) our relationships with Each Other. This became a pivotal philosophy and anchor embedded in my life!

Two years later – my Journey brought me to a life-changing crossroad. I had exited from the Interstate of Life, and was now traveling on the POZ Express. which by the way is a TOLL road. That was 13 years ago.

It was at that moment that I whole-heartedly embraced many invaluable lessons from life. I was remarkably blessed to have a highly enlightened and deeply spiritual physician - his advice set the tone for the beginning of the rest of my life. He infused my spirit with hope! He understood the very foundation of spirituality and faith and restored my attitude. He knew that for me to move forward with a positive attitude and be productive, it
was imperative that I never lose HOPE. You see - without hope faith corrodes, and spirituality erodes. So, I made a choice to make a commitment to LIVE. With faith, hope and a centered spirit, God as my partner, I set my sights on living a Life Abundant...  With commitment there are no other options... So, I would not lose hope, I would rely on MY FAITH, my spirituality.

On this Journey that is my Life, through faith I learned…
Each day Pray like it depends on God, Work like it depends on me!
Embrace this Journey – each day is a blessing to celebrate!
Always strive to give others HOPE, and NEVER let anyone rain on your parade.
Don’t just live - LIVE each day to the fullest! Choose a Life Abundant!
Celebrate diversity in the world around you - experience it, LIVE it, share it.
There’s a world out there beyond your vision - look beyond the hills, focus beyond the valleys.
"Climb every mountain, forge every stream, follow every byway, til you find your dream! " 

Growth comes from removing the old girdles off our brains;
Like balloons, once expanded, your brain never returns to its previous state.

Live and Embrace Life each day, and strive each day to ASTONISH yourself!
Embrace the philosophy of Carpe diem - Seize the day! Tomorrow is not a guarantee.

All of these are lessons deeply embedded in the daily life of eastern cultures. These philosophies form the cornerstones supporting a holistic spirituality balanced by yin and yang, and creates a unique understanding of the world around us. At it's core is the ideology that our journey through life is dictated by two things - our relationship with nature and the world around us, and our relationships with each other.

There is a well known song that embraces the simple and elegant lessons of faith, hope and love, appropriately called – Nature Boy…

The greatest thing you’ll ever learn…
is to Learn to LOVE – and be loved in return!

Today we come together in prayer for the healing of HIV and AIDS.
Today, we pray...
... In honor of those vital spirits whose journeys were cut short,
... In honor of those currently searching for lost hope,
... and for those who will need the healing power of faith in the future.

But it doesn’t end there…
In honor of our prayers – I encourage each of you -
Take tomorrow – Celebrate life, and ASTONISH YOURSELF!