What am I?

Well, let me start by telling you what I'm not.. I'm not any one thing. =)

So, I got to thinking tonight (in the shower of course... my place of deep thought!) about titles and labels and how they apply to the path. Every now and again I get that question... you know.. the whole "what religion are you" question. The question doesn't bother me, but the lack of clarity to the answer. My standard answer for the general public is "Pagan", for those that know me better, I will normally tell them I am a Witch or a Goddess Follower. But, the more I think about it, the more I realize just how inadequate all those answers are. The term Pagan, much like the term Christian, is an umbrella term that covers a wide variety of paths and beliefs. Granted, there is a lot more diversity in the pagan scheme of things, but you get the drift! Many people seem to not understand the diversity of that term, and automatically associate it with Wicca. Now, I'm not hating on Wicca, in fact, I follow the Wicca wheel of the year, as well as many other practices. BUT, I'm not a Wiccan. I've used the term eclectic in the past, as that was the only thing I could seem to "fit" into, but I'm learned that the term doesn't suit me.

Now, you're probably wondering why titles and names or whatever mean so much to me... well, to be honest, I'm not sure I can tell you why.... I suppose the need to self express without having to need a prepared speech is always nice...

At any rate... so, I've been thinking and pondering and reviewing my spirituality... all I have been, from what I came from, to everything I am now and the continuing new experiences and places I go. I am Witch, Buddhist, Goddess Worshiper, Naturalist, Druid... There really are a lot of "names" that I fall under, but the need to simplify it is a strong urge for me. All that being said, the only term I can think of is one that has already been coined...

Spiritualist.

Now this word has several meanings, but the definition most commonly associated with it is this: "One who believes in direct intercourse with departed spirits, through the agency of persons commonly called mediums, by means of physical phenomena; one who attempts to maintain such intercourse; a spiritist." (Online dictionary). It doesn't seem to matter what medium (forgive the pun) that I plug that word into, but every search comes back with things about contacting the dead.... interesting, but not what I'm going for here.

So, here is my new meaning for the word SPIRITUALIST...

One who believes in the cultivation of a relationship with the divine or beliefs (in the instance that no divinity is believed in) and does what what is most fulfilling for the spirit and self, without harming anyone; and brings inner peace while promoting peaceful cohabitation with all walks of life.

I've changed my mind. I am one thing- I am a Spiritualist!!

Now, I bid you all good night so I can go finish my tea and head to bed!

Blessing to you all!

"Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings -- that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide." The Buddha