Divine spark

I think each of us has to find the divine spark within us.  Some of us call it God, or the god within.  Some call it our center.  There are probably hundreds of names, but what it is called doesn't really matter.

What matters is that I recognize it and honor it.

This is the place where I discover what really matters to me.  It is the foundation of my chosen life.  Beyond the vagaries of birthplace, or genes.  Beyond popular demand.  Beyond anything and everything that requires something outside of me.

It is who I really am.  Who I grow up to be.  What I make of myself to myself.

Once I find it, I am me.  I can live with myself and appreciate my own company.

It takes a while for most of us.  We are probably born with it, but it is carefully weeded out of us by a world that finds more comfort in conformity than honor.  Honor begins by honoring myself.  Knowing who I am and respecting my right to be this person, so that I am not threatened by other people being who they are.

It is this place that makes being alone okay and being with most others okay.  It is the place where I know I can trust myself to make calm, compassionate, reasonable decisions and they will be in both my best interests and those around me.

It is not a doctrine, or mantra, or even a set of rules or laws.  It simply is who I am.