Church Redefined

I was talking with my friend Rapture regaling him with my escapades here in the Chi. I mentioned that I went to church and he almost choked. Yes its been a loooooooong time since I went to church, and if you've been hanging out with me you know why. So why after almost 6 years have I not only been at church for the past three weeks, but actually looking forward to it?

Simple I found a place that makes sense to me. I heard about Unity a couple of years ago, but I wasn't quite ready to take on anything having to do with Christianity. I thought it was all corrupt and would take me back to that place of conflicted feelings, confusion, guilt, and dread. It took me a long time to get back on good terms with God and I didn't want to chance becoming separated again.

So when my Aunt gave me this book "A Return to Love" by Marianne Williamson, I had no idea it would lead to this. The book was great, very inspirational, but it didn't lead me to church. It did help me see that there could another way though.

So fast forward about 3 years. I was preparing for this move to Chicago, and full of fear and anxiety. I had negotiated the sale of my dance studio and was preparing to move out of my loft. The thing is ,I didn't have a job lined up in Chicago, or any guarantees that this whole thing would work out at all. I was in the middle of packing up my loft and this particular Sunday morning I woke up at 9am (early for me on a Sunday) with an overwhelming need to go to Renaissance Unity. I didn't know where it was, what time service started, but I was compelled.

I hopped online and found it. I really tried to resist, but I couldn't. I tried to go back to sleep, I couldn't. I finally gave in, got dressed and went on my way. I got there too late for the service, but the welcome I received was heart warming. I received a complimentary CD of the service as well as overview of what Unity is all about.

The core principles of Unity are as follows:

1. There is only one Presence and one Power active as the universe and as my life, God the Good.
2. Our essence is of God; therefore, we are inherently good. This God essence, called the Christ, was fully expressed in Jesus.
3. We are co-creators with God, creating reality through thoughts held in mind.
4. Through prayer and meditation, we align our heart-mind with God. Denials and affirmations are tools we use.
5. Through thoughts, words and actions, we live the Truth we know.

I am still in my evaluation phase, but I will say this. When I walked into the bookstore at Renaissance I was blown away. It looked just like my personal library of personal growth and spiritual enlightenment texts. There books on meditation, yoga, healthy eating, natural healing, and so much more. There was such diversity in the congregation I couldn't believe it. Then as I walked out of the sanctuary, I ran into my Aunt and cousins. To top it off, it was the day of the church picnic and I came in 3rd place in the Hula Hoop contest!

I had such a good feeling when I left there I couldn't believe. I just left a church and felt nothing but love, openness, and positivity. I did a little research into Unity and found it to be interesting and worth more investigation. I promised myself to look into it more when I got to Chicago.

So I did and I have been to Unity in Chicago each Sunday for the last 3-weeks. The people have been welcoming and I look forward to the next time I can go. There are workshops on prosperity, finding your life's purpose, achieving your heart's desire and more! If its been a while since you've been in a place of worship, or you have a desire to be part of a spiritual community that is not about judgment, I urge you to check out a Unity Church in your area. You don't have to leave your current belief system, b/c every path to God is embraced. If your soul is yearning to connect with other spiritual people, or you just want to hear a positive message that is empowering and uplifting I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity. I am happy that I followed the direction of the Spirit that Sunday and look forward to what is next on my journey to peach and enlightenment!

Living Just Enough for the City

I've been kickin' it in the Chi for about three weeks and officially loving it! Outside of the fact that I have a tastee roommate, I also have an AMAZING view of Lake Michigan. I literally wake up and look out over this beautiful peaceful blue expanse. Add to that fact this fabulous Indian Summer we have this September and I am in heaven.

I made this move to get a change of scenery and start living the life I want and tonight I did just that. I love the theatre, and one of the reasons Chicago drew me is b/c it has a wonderful theatre district. It's often the first stop many shows make after leaving New York! Tonight I went to see The Color Purple and it was breath-taking. I was a bit worried that it may not live up to the hype, but it surpassed my greatest expectations.

This was the final night of its Chicago run and I bought the ticket on impulse. Yes I know I haven't quite found a job, or established my revenue streams here, but there was no way I was letting that show close without checking it out. So I took myself out on a date. Dinner at a wonderful restaurant, 312 Chicago, where I had this fish I never heard of before but found quite flavorful and popped around the corner to check out the show at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. For the final show of a great run!

I was captivated from the moment I sat down! It was wonderful to see so many people of color at the show and even better to see many other people there as well. Ms. Winfrey gets mad props for putting this production on!

I don't know how to describe it, but what I can say is that I could feel this show. The first big number "Mysterious Ways" was soul-stirring. Like being in church and feeling the spirit come over you. Not a get up and do the holy dance spirit, but like you can feel a presence and it feels good! I would say the number "Hell No" performed by Sophia (the character) was hilarious! All the women in the audience were in stitches. Then Shug Avery showed up on the scene (let me say that Michelle Williams (of Destiny's Child) did an excellent job!) and the show was never the same. I will say that this stage production definitely took the relationship between Celie and Shug a step further than the movie, but more inline with the book.

Everyone knows the story, and if you don't, read the book and rent the move before going to see this production, but seeing it performed live is still full of surprises. I was on my feet by the time the final number was performed and hooted and hollered my appreciation for a fabulous performance during the curtain call. Even though we had very lively audience member who felt the need to shout out and clap and odd moments, I found my this theatrical event to be thoroughly enjoyable and can't wait to see my next production!

When The Color Purple comes to your town, make sure you take the time to see it. This production is on its way to San Fransisco, so if you're looking for a great reason to visit out west, this could be it! We have to support shows like this so we can see more quality theatre that tells stories pertinant to African Americans!