Somewhere in my youth, I began to associate with the name Raynefire. Around the same time, I learned about Phoenix’s and developed a fascination with the mystical, mythological creature.
The name just rang out to me from out of nowhere. Or so, I thought. At the time, I had no idea why or where it came from. But as I know now, it was then the Old Ways found me. And I didn’t fully accept it until I was in my 20′s.
Back then, I had no idea there was another path aside from Christianity and although I didn’t mind going to church with my parents, the majority of the teachings I learned there didn’t resonate within me. Something felt empty.
I remember when it was, actually. For both of them – I remember when I heard the name raynefire and I remember when I first accepted this path as my own True Way.
The first time occurred on the school bus in 7th grade. There was a new girl named Raven who quickly became one of those people everyone knows. She was outgoing, confident and just a little sassy. One day on the way to school, ‘raynefire’ suddenly popped into my head. At first, I thought it had to do with Raven. But as quickly as she’d become one of our neighbors and friends, she was gone, having moved elsewhere. It wasn’t until a long time later I realized raynefire was meant for me.
And the second realization came when I was about 23. I read a book about meditation and zen enlightenment. Suddenly, pieces of the puzzle I’d been seeking began to fall into place. At that point, I read everything even remotely mystical I could get my hands on.
Since then, it’s been a long and winding road. At almost 40 (I’ll be 37 in a few days), I feel a renewal, like the need to be born into this path again. I can’t explain it, really. But I feel like I am coming alive again – a phoenix one more time.
Different and yet the same.
Great things are coming.
Transformation
One of my favorite things to do is read. I read all types of books, both fiction as well as non-fiction and a variety of genres in both classifications. And recently I read “The Lost Symbol” by Dan Brown.
When I first started reading, I only got a few pages in for the few days in between other things and it was frustrating! Then by the 3rd day, I began reading it at bedtime and thought, “well, I’ll read until I get tired.”
Next thing I know, I’m finished with the book and it’s 4:30 in the morning. LOL
And I had a few revelations while reading that book. If you’ve read the book, you may know it’s as much about transformation as it is about the Lost Symbol. Maybe not necessarily the type of transformation you want for yourself but there’s still a lesson there. A thought provoking process about knowledge and becoming.
See, one of the characters feels alienated by his father, whom he doesn’t understand. He is a bitter young man and leaves town once he turns 18. As the story continues, we see him (though we don’t know it’s him at the time) change and transform into a new being. Though this new being he becomes is rather twisted, it shows us that we are not bound by what society believes we should be. We can, ultimately, become whomever we choose.
As it is still the New Year, I encourage you to look within yourself and decide whom YOU truly want to be. What do you want your life to be like? Where do you want your path to lead? Whom do you wish to become?
Take some time to think about it. Now is the time to become who you are.