tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16607511.post104468612876927421..comments2008-11-13T12:38:01.786-03:00Phillipe Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342490962831946701noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16607511.post-25235446011125408772008-11-13T12:38:00.000-03:002008-11-13T12:38:00.000-03:00Dear Phillipe,<BR/>Thank you for articulating that which has been swirling around, half-understood, in my mind. Recent events have forced me to examine what I understood to be identity. I recognized that it seemed as though identity was often an assertion of power vis-a-vis "the other." In the attempt to rescue oneself from the distortions of a perceived oppressor, we veil ourselves in a romanticized version of that very distortion. Your elaboration has given me great food for thought!<BR/>Regards, LayliLayli S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16301051346886016673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16607511.post-20449856349310183082008-11-12T17:16:00.000-03:002008-11-12T17:16:00.000-03:00thanks, Phillipe<BR/>(although I did give you my belated two-cents worth on how to get some sleep, in response to a past blog entry. Hope you don't need it any more!)<BR/>In answer to your question:<BR/>Probably never. But I am seriously working on memoirs.<BR/>JudithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16607511.post-69773799451123760772008-11-12T16:01:00.000-03:002008-11-12T16:01:00.000-03:00Judith W. It's been a long time. I've missed your eloquent and lengthy commentary. PS: When are you going to start a blog of your own?Phillipe Copelandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18342490962831946701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16607511.post-3089497426417324042008-11-12T14:48:00.000-03:002008-11-12T14:48:00.000-03:00excellent!<BR/>I'm smiling at your changing photo, Phillipe:<BR/>"Who am I?": <BR/>From deep inward thought, to smiling thoughtfully outward in front of a bookcase, to a man whose face is radiant, and eclipsed by the future promise of the face of the child he is holding.<BR/> I think that all of these roles we may pass through, some of our own choosing, some not: ethnicity, race, gender, age, son/daughter; brother/sister; mother/father; grandparent, etc., do not lead to the multiple identities Baha'u'llah writes about when we approach them with the spiritual focus you so eloquently describe. <BR/> Instead of being a source of conflict and contention they become the channels whereby we forge wider, stronger and deeper connections with God, with our true selves, and with others.<BR/>PS, what a beautiful picture of your son!<BR/>Judith W.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com