If your understanding of Christianity has come mainly through the lens of Christian nationalism, discovering how Jesus and his earliest followers lived might come as a bit of a shock. The first followers of the Way weren’t in it for power or control—they weren’t about flexing their influence over others. At its core, this movement was rooted in love, humility, and justice. They faced the power structures of their day not with a desire to dominate but with a commitment to a different kind of strength—one that served and uplifted. For these early followers, love wasn’t a feeling but an action. And it wasn’t reserved for people who looked or thought like them. This love reached out to anyone on the margins, anyone who’d been pushed aside. It was radical, boundless, and inclusive. Their values also centered around community and dignity. Faith was never a solo journey. It was about lifting each other up, valuing each person’s inherent worth, and recognizing that authentic leadership came from serving others. Power and status weren’t the goals; they prioritized empathy and deep connection. Humility was another cornerstone of the Way. Strength wasn’t found in certainty or control but in vulnerability, listening, and shared humanity. They didn’t draw harsh lines between “us” and “them.” Instead, they embraced compassion and sought common ground. And justice—well, that was essential. They knew words without action were empty. Justice wasn’t just an ideal; it was a call to ensure everyone was valued and every voice was heard. So, while Christian nationalism may align itself with political agendas and power, the original Way was a completely different story. It was about love, humility, service, and justice. It was about action, about building bridges instead of walls, and creating space for each other with compassion at the center.

What if a “Higher Power” isn’t some cosmic CEO pulling the strings but instead just... a higher version of your consciousness? Yeah, I know, that sounds suspiciously like something you’d hear in a meditation app, but stay with me. Think about it. We’re all running around most of the time, stuck in survival mode. Our brains are like over-caffeinated toddlers, bouncing between fear, ego, and a constant need for validation. It’s exhausting. But what if there’s a version of you—already inside you—that’s calmer, wiser, and not caught up in all the petty drama? What if that is what we’re talking about when we say “higher consciousness.” It’s not outside of you. It is you—just with less noise and more clarity. A higher consciousness is that part of you that can step back and say, “You know what? This thing I’m freaking out about—it’s not the end of the world.” It’s the part that isn’t obsessed with looking good or winning arguments online. It’s the part that knows life is complicated, unpredictable, unknowable, and often unfair—and somehow, that’s okay. And what if when people talk about a Higher Power, they’re talking about this ability to tap into something more profound and bigger than their everyday BS? Maybe it’s a gut feeling. Perhaps it’s intuition. Maybe it’s just that quiet voice in your head that tells you to stop texting your ex because it’s not worth it. Whatever it is, it’s a shift from trying to control everything around you to realizing you don’t have to. Here’s the crazy part: life gets easier when you stop seeing yourself as the center of the universe. You realize you’re part of something bigger, whether that’s humanity, nature, or just the shared experience of being alive. And that realization—it humbles you. It pulls you out of your head and into a state where you can actually breathe and focus on what matters. I am not saying that that there is no God. What I am saying is that maybe a Higher Power isn’t what you heard about in Sunday school. Maybe it’s just you—but the version of you that’s not drowning in ego or fear. And the cool thing? You can access that anytime you want. You don’t need to pray or chant or do a juice cleanse.

My life today is a gift. And I would like to share with you below some wisdom that was gifted to me. These words are true for me. They may be true for you, but only you can determine that. I hope you receive these words with the spirit that they were given to me. With love. Alright. Here she is.... . The inability to receive support from others is a trauma response. Your “I don’t need anyone, I’ll just do it all myself” conditioning is a survival tactic. And you needed it to shield your heart from abuse, neglect, betrayal, and disappointment from those who could not or would not be there for you. From the parent who was absent and abandoned you by choice or the parent who was never home from working three jobs to feed and house you. From the lovers who offered sexual intimacy but never offered a safe haven that honored your heart. From the friendships and family who always took more than they ever gave. From all the situations when someone told you, “We’re in this together” or “I got you,” then abandoned you, leaving you to pick up the pieces when shit got real, leaving you to handle your part and their part, too. From all the lies and all the betrayals. The abandonment. You learned along the way that you just couldn’t really trust people. Or you could trust people, but only up to a certain point. Extreme independence is a trust issue. You learned: if I don’t put myself in a situation where I rely on someone, I won’t have to be disappointed when they don’t show up for me or when they drop the ball... because they will always drop it eventually, right? You may even have been intentionally taught this protection strategy by generations of hurt ancestors who came before you. Extreme independence is a preemptive strike against heartbreak. So, you don’t trust anyone. And you don’t trust yourself, either, to choose people. To trust is to hope; to trust is to be vulnerable. “Never again,” you vow. But no matter how you dress it up and display it proudly to make it seem like this level of independence is what you always wanted to be, in truth, it’s your wounded, scarred, broken heart behind a protective brick wall.

I would like to ask everyone in this community who knows me a little favor. (Many of you have known me for years.) Please tell the brand-new members below who are landing here... Anything that you want to "About Me." There are two reasons: (1) I'd love to know what you think of me. (2) Since some people don't know me yet, they might want to know a little bit about who the leader of this community is, so I'd like to invite you to tell them! 👆 That's the BEST social proof in the world. I know it seems like a weird or selfish request...but it will also help bond the community together faster...and that's what I'm here to do. So, if you're willing, your contributions could be invaluable in kickstarting this community. It's purely optional, but I'm sure everyone entering will appreciate and benefit from your comments, and together, we can help this community grow. THANKS IN ADVANCE

Thank You for allowing me to join.