My unusual background and history with adversity created a powerful relationship with me and my spiritual search. The work I do in the community with the misunderstood members of society indicated to me that, having been where they are now, and knowing the many times I myself cried out for just one person to hear my story, compelled me to advocate for them. I saw my own dilemmas in life directly related to a spiritual bankruptcy and I thought the same may be true for others in similar life circumstances. Being ordained simply helped me to commit more strongly to the mission and vision of ministering to those who felt helpless, hopeless, and hapless, while speaking at conferences about stigma and stereotypes which serve no good purpose but to marginalize others and diminish their spirits. My success in this work was directly related to my willingness to listen to the stories of the oppressed, the homeless, mentally ill, alcoholic/addict, and prostitutes as well as becoming politically reactivated for human rights and equality. I found a very integrated path that worked for me and I believed it could work for others. Today I am disabled, semi-retired, but still do speaking engagements, perform weddings, funerals, baptisms and teach that there are many paths to resurrecting ourselves from our old selves. Every one of us has a story!And I want to be able to listen to each one. I belong to this forum as well as the monastery. When I see the word "minister" bantered around on these sites I often wonder who these "ministers" are ministering to. A church ministers to its congregation, a witch to their coven and prospective candidates, a Medicine person/Shaman to the members of their tribe,a doctor ministers to his patients, a social worker ministers to her clients, even a plumber ministers to his customer's needs. But in many cases I'm really not sure who some of the ministers on all these sites are ministering to. I like to come here and listen to the various perspectives so I can better understand the diversity of life. I think the myriad cultures, traditions, philosophies and faiths are the most beautiful things on our planet....until they are used to hurt others physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. We see way too much of that in our world today! At that point I become intolerant of those who are intolerant.....Eh, what can I say? I'm human too! And that is my biggest defect! .......God's Peace......To`na Wanagi