Tonight I was invited to tell a story on the theme, "The Spiritual Avatar." After giving it some thought I talked about my discovery that the word "avatar" means the incarnation of the divine, and how I came to terms with the fact that Jenaia is a very real and vital express of that essetial spark of Light.
The audience at Nosotr@s in Cedar Island was small but attentive. Some 20 avatars listened intently, and when I was finished, jumped feet - errrrrr pixels- first into the writing exercise I proposed they do. Here was the exercise:
At the top of a blank document or clean sheet of paper, write this phrase: How To Be + your avatar's name. Take ten minutes to write about what you would like to have your avatar (that spark of the divine) express. This was the example I shared with them (penned by my delightful and talented friend Raevn Rhiadra):
How to Be Jenaia
Take on way too many projects for one mortal to accomplish.
Laugh out loud at the silliest things.
Snarl out loud at the world's stupidity.
Fight the world's stupidity with every idea in your head.
Love fiercely if not always wisely.
Stay up way too late.
Create, create, create.
Teach others tirelessly.
Watch the world unblinkingly, unflinchingly, for any sign of hope.
Hold every sign up like a beacon for all to see.
And this is what they came back with:
How to be Usil
When I meet some one I show them I care :)
Usil Has Taken a vow to help others and do no harm.
Usil Teaches acceptance to all the world, S/L is a family of mankind not countries. Just one family.
What you learn in here you must take into the real world and show people the real you.
In time you will see,,,I promise.
Usil Strives to Live the Tao, In Taoism, the basic, eternal principle of the universe that transcends reality and is the source of being, non-being, and change.
We will maintain civility when faced with controversy.
We will be as empathetic and helpful as we can be in difficult situations.
We will give respect to those we help, despite knowing it may not always be returned.
We will seek and emphasize the positive in a situation.
People In R/L laugh a bit then get an inquisitive look on their face when I tell them I have a Mentor and her Name is Usil Bailey :XD
How to be Kara Spengler
obviously I am catlike
fun ... but also serious
always listening
volunteering, teaching and mentoring ..... a lot
standing up for others
kidline (and sometimes a kid)
caring
not mind if other's enjoyent of second life is different than mine
casual dresser in jeans, a tee and no shoes (usually .... right now I decided the adult content policy change is unfair to those who enjoy it so being matrixy seemed more fitting)
basically, an idealized version of my RL self
my kid AV is like Kara, but a lot more kidlike
How to Be: Caledonia
-- Be kind and open
-- Laugh often and long. Remember what Mom said, "Life is too important to be taken seriously."
-- Show respect for others, and be tolerant of ideas which may not be your own
-- There is plenty of room in the Grid for everyone - things don't have to always be your way.
-- Find work/activity/involvement that has meaning
-- Create, Create, Create!!!
-- Under No Circumstances, allow yourself to be put in charge
-- PLay! Play! PlAY! Always be ready to play
-- Whether in a relationship, a task, or a commitment (or when shopping!), never forget "why?"
-- Accept the choices you make, and accept whatever they may mean.
-- You ALWAYS have choices.
-- When communicating, remember that you cannot connect with an actual set of eyes, so you must take the time and effort to be clear, and pursue clarity
-- Never, ever stop learning.
It occurs to me, as it occurred to me when I first came to be in SL, that my RL "Mission Statement" was reflected in Caledonia. What are my priorities in the world:
1. To Bring Joy
2. To Create Beauty
3. To connect people.
HOW TO BE SIRI
Laugh often
Be curious by nature and get involved in everything
Dance joyfully
Enjoy long talks about meaningfull issues or nothing all all
do Tai Chi by the sea
Get inspired by others
Try to find solutions and work toward them
Be committed to peace and social justice but try and find the fun along the way.
How to be LV
Innovative and creative
Viral in pursuits.
Ideas become her,
Dressed in purple
Chasing dreams
Caring and supportive,
She pays it forward generously, and
Joyously catches the serendipity that enfolds SL
Informing our relationships.
LoriVonne Lustre
How to be Cyndi Uriza
Be here to learn and help others learn.
Be excited about each new discovery and Always seeking a new surprise.
Always building a personal learning network and trying to offer something to the learning of others.
Excited to try new challenges, especially those that involve creating something.
Even more excited if that something new is a learning object or environment that others can enjoy as well.
Enjoy a well-told story.
Listen to many different kinds of music in many different venues.
Dance like crazy at the drop of a hat
and most of all, always keep it fun.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
DANG! They hit it right out of the ballpark!
I am both impressed and humbled by what they produced. Clearly these avatars "get" and embrace the point I was trying to make: given the almost unlimited possibilities for manifestation that exist in Second LIfe, isn't donning an avatar the perfect opportuntiy to express that essential spark of light in ourselves? Thank you folks, for making my day ;-)
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