Naomi K PettifordAlthough I "shun" most opportunities to "talk about myself," from my breach of birth, childhood memories and experiences, "coming-of-age" life lessons, affairs of the heart, and religious introduction to my Spiritual awakening and maturity, I can onl define it as PURPOSE. My memories and experiences being etched into my mind are often "replayed" like a movie series on a cellophane reel.I became an avid reader at age 3. From then on, I have concluded that every experience, crossroad, and choice, regardless of the consequences, can be summed up as "working for my good." (See Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.") I am intensely interested in most things related to the "mind." In my post-high school education, I applied myself enthusiastically to my studies of Psychology and related courses: Social Psychology, Behavioral Psychology, Cultural Anthropology, and Transcendental Meditation. To me, religion-or religious beliefs-are akin to psychological discourse: they affect one's thinking before influencing one's behavior or way of life. My relationship as a spiritual being is an ongoing process in biblical studies and personal experiences of faith, divine "gifts" of enlightenment, prayer, and discernment. As time and opportunities present themselves, I have been privileged to give testimonies relating to what I have personally experienced. The "PEARLS" are a result of inflections/or responses to personal, social, cultural, and historical events I have lived through. The value placed on all these are like precious gems to me - for they have been processed like natural pearls, having been exposed to "living bacteria," protected by a "Covering" which has endured 'hardening' - that resulted in a "healed" mollusk. (I, too, have a "SHELL" that protects me from untoward elements.) Read More Read Less