The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/27337
Learning from my gay Egyptian friend Keep Up Now! Escape from littleness “Who am I? I cried unto the heavens and in reply I recognized my only father’s lullaby. You are mine. All that I have I will set before you. Trust, my son, My Will be done, in love I shall surround you.” Rob Ludwig Lately, there has been much ado about manifesting abundance. People are proclaiming the power of thought regarding creation and manifesting abundance through envision- ing wealth. In truth, the mind is a very powerful, creative device. But in reality, most of us don’t have a clue about unlocking the power of our true creativity, because we don’t understand the nature of our being. You owe yourself a deep responsibility; one you must learn and remember. It may seem difficult at first, but you will learn to love it when you realize its truth; it is a tribute to your power. Remember this _ every decision you make stems from what you think you are and embodies the value you put upon yourself. If you limit yourself, you will not be con- tent. Your purpose is not little, and it is only by discover- ing your function and fulfilling it that you can escape from littleness. There is no doubt about the magnitude of your function. It does not come from you, but through you from a source much greater than yours alone. You don’t have to reach for it, because you already have it. It is inherent in who you are. It is not easy to hold your mag- nitude in perfect awareness in a world based on littleness. Your greatest task is to be vigilant against littleness to protect your magnitude in this world. Yet if you search for the little, it is a false decision you make about your- self, and in doing so, you cut yourself off from the power of the one Source to supply your abundance. Your power is made manifest as you share it. See only greatness in your brother. Where you perceive your brother, you will see yourself. When you learn of your magnitude, you will comprehend the basis of creation and understand how it manifests in the world. However, if you fall back to believing in littleness, you deny your Source and will be unable to access your power. “Keep up Now! with the stream of higher consciousness and stay connected to the Source.” _Terry Ludwig Terry Ludwig’s brother, Rob, passed away in 2004 after battling AIDS. Before he passed, he shared his message. “Keep Up Now!” is the result of that communication. She can be reached at keepupnow@gmail.com, and followed on Twitter and Facebook. Have an idea for a Diversity Scene guest column? E-mail editor@otownscene.com March 17, 2011 O-Town Scene 25 I spend a lot of time in front of the computer writing, researching and surfing. I am on Facebook looking at postings from friends and acquaintances. I refuse to play Farmville or any game similar to that. I also enjoy chatting with people that I have met from about every continent. It is always a challenge to remember time dif- ferences. I use Skype and Yahoo Instant Messenger quite a bit, too. Guest Column It is so interesting to me to find out about the lives and cultures of people living in different countries. One of those people is a gentleman named Ramy, originally from Egypt, but currently living in Kuwait. He moved to find a better job than is available in his own country. He is a pharmacist working at a drug store. He worked in a hospital set- ting at his previous job, which required that he work seven days a week, 12 hours a day. None of his roommates of family members know Ramy is gay. He does not have the freedom to express who he is in either country. In the worst-case scenario, imprisonment is possible for his actions. He knows no other gay men or women because expressing sexuality is taboo. Hopefully someday people living in every country will treat each other equally regardless of the sexual orientation. The Internet, for me, is a wonderful way to experience the world when stepping on a plane is just not possible. It makes me appreciate what I have in the United States. Every day that I spend in front of my computer, the world becomes smaller for me. I feel from Ramy when he writes about feeling helpless for his family during the revolution in his native country. It’s not just a news story far away. _ William Pharr William Pharr lives in Oneonta and has been involved in several capacities for various AIDS organizations for the past 15 years. the Diversity Scene March 17-23