My Personal Perception

Personal Perception

Life has provided many roads and storylines that shaped my character and personality. My image has been shaped like earth being slowly molded by water’s constant motion. I realize my image is not constant and it changes as my world view expands and I accept new knowledge and release unnecessary or harmful components of myself.

The image of “Travis” is supposed to be a reflection of my belief, abilities, shortcomings and fears. I display the positive and negative personas of myself. I believe my potential is perfection; therefore, imperfections must be acknowledged and alleviated. I may not remedy all my imperfections during my lifetime, but the road to perfection is the most peaceful journey. My quest to obtain my true form of perfection is propelled by hope and the search for truth. I learned the other roads are self destructive and so tedious, that one can get lost in one’s own pain and ignorance. A visit to the Holocaust Museum this summer helped me recognize the importance of hope and truth. The Germans after World War I felt abandoned and hopeless. These destitute feelings allowed Hitler to move into power. His message called for “national pride” and shifted much of the blamed for Germany’s condition to the Jews. This felonious message of hope and truth morphed into a communication of death for Jews, Gypsies, and many others. I am dedicating the balance of my life to help people uncover personal truth and hope in their lives.

I am

I am a good man on a trek for truth. I believe that my calling is to be a helper of all people. I sometimes compare personal perception and acceptance to the story of Jonah. Jonah ran from his calling and suffered a storm and being ingested by a whale. Once he accepted his calling and mission he was place back on the right trek and he fulfilled that mission. So, who am I? I am a loving, giving, thoughtful, and loyal person. I have a giving personality. I receive positive growth from giving and sharing. If I attempt to be completely selfish with my motives, any sense of satisfaction is too short lived to enjoy.

Career in the helping profession

My self-discovery began with an examination of “Travis.” I acknowledged all my attributes and flaws. I felt relief. The relief was a result of simple acceptance of my gifts and flaws. Now I walk through life working to eradicate flaws and display attributes. I finally accepted that it was not important to be perfect. It was important to accept the journey to perfection.

My mission to be a helper is based on this simple philosophy: Humankind’s position on this earth means sharing ourselves with the world. Humans have abilities and aptitude for individual and collective purpose in life. Deviation from that purpose leads to unhappiness and turmoil. My job as a helper is to aid clients in self discovery or methods to return to their purpose. I will help them obtain or maintain harmony.

“Who I am” is in direct correspondence with why I am in the helping profession. I walked blindly through much of my life and I was unhappy. I did not acknowledge my faults and downplayed my attributes. My decision to become a helper relates to the second half of Jonah’s story. When Jonah delivered his message of change and compassion to the people of Nineveh, his prejudice and hatred of Nineveh begin to devour him. He did not believe people of Nineveh had the capacity for change and hoped God would destroy them, but the people accepted the message and changed their ways. Jonah sat under a tree consumed with hatred and unhappiness. This story has an interesting irony. Jonah never embraced his own message of change and compassion for himself. He delivered a universal message as mere words. I discovered my calling to be a helper. I accept and embrace this calling. My mission is to use the knowledge I am acquiring in the Masters of Counseling Program to help others and myself. Who am I? I am a good man on a trek to truth.

Beyond the connotation of “Christian.”

Several days ago, I spoke with a good friend about my spiritual journey. I told her that I did not consider myself Christian anymore, (Read Journey to Enlightenment Blog to review my proclamation) and she thought I had gone to the dark side. She asked me if I was Atheist and I responded no.    I attempted to share my research and discoveries to date, but she would not openly listen to me. It seems that the mere thought of me letting go of the title "Christian" dooms me to hell.   

Note: As I began to write this blog, my ego tried over and over to dictate this blog. My Ego had me. I was thinking elitist thoughts and harboring a judgmental attitude.

. As I thought more about denouncing Christianity, I realized that I was completely wrong about denouncing my Christianity. I am learning about eastern philosophies and being feed by Yoga and Buddhism does not mean that I am not a follower of Christ. I believe that calling Me a Christian does not provide the keys to Heaven. Adhering to the word of God (Jesus) and his divine messengers throughout time will provide truth and insight, enlightenment and heaven.

As I continued my introspective examination, I began to realize that I was taking a pompous approach to my personal philosophical and spiritual discoveries. I was allowing myself to manifest an elitists attitude towards professed Christians. I felt that my journey provided me with an insight that no other person has discovered. How EGO driven is that!

I am a follower of Christ, and I am learning from the teachings of Pantanjali and the Buddha. I quite sure once I began to read the Quran I will absorb knowledge from Mohammad and Baha’u’llah. I believe more now than ever. The Lord provides his truth for all to discover and follow.

I am a Christian, but in this spiritual quest, I am learning so much now that I am moving beyond what I defined as the typical connotation of “Christian.” I am a student of God. I am absorbing teaching from Christianity, Hatha-Yoga, Baha'I, and Buddhism.

No one should follow religion blindly, and I hope my friend understands her own spirituality. Ultimately we must make sure we are living a fulfilling life and if our life is not happy, we may need to examine our spiritual path.

That's what I love about this journey for truth.  As your garden grows spiritually, you can continue nurturing and weeding out things that are not good you. Truth is the only absolute thing on this journey.

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On The Bus

I jumped on the Bus with my son today to drop him off at Ms Marva, and I began to realize that the Bus and its inhabitances had become a part of me. I spoke to the driver and smiled at the older lady and she reciprocated. Everyone knew my routine and they expected to see me and my son. As people got on the bus, I began to speak to people and smile and make small talk. I even had a lady of to give me the “eye”.
There was a man on the bus who was offended by a older lady coughing. Because of the coughing, He opened the bus window and exposed the elderly woman to the crisp morning air. She asked him to close it. He got upset and went off on her, because of the coughing and the fact that her English was thick because of her heavy accent!. Everyone look at him (including myself) with disapproval and concern. I think that our distaste for his manners affected him so badly, that he got off the bus at the next available stop. Now I understand his concern for her coughing, but disrespecting an elder is not acceptable. He should know and understand that completely.
Now after the bus ride, I got on the metro and I smiled at the same familiar faces and spoke to the same people in Vienna. I thought to myself, “Wow all of these people are a part of my life and they affect me and I affect them. A smile from them can put me in a good mood and vice versa.