Who Am I?

It is only in Admitting that you are Ordinary

That You Become Extraordinary

Despite our ego's drive to be set apart, somehow unique in a vast world, there is something very profound about being a human being among humanity. Once we are willing to admit our human status - one among many - we can climb down from our auto-erected pedestals and put away our childish and grandois delusions about our personal elevation, and suddenly our loads will become lighter, because we will know that those illusions were the real burden. Once we give up the vision of glory, true growth can finally occurr. We have to stop being "somebody" in order to be who we truly are, and the great paradox is that this person, this ordinary human being, is far more complex and profound than our false elevated self image.

Who Am I?

This seems to be the perpetual question of my life. Someone said that we are a compilation of everyone's perceptions of us. I thought about this for a while and discarded it. It was too simplistic. I am quite convinced that there are parts of me that even I am not aware of yet. So, who am I?

I have yet to come up with a satisfactory answer, but let me at least start by telling you my name: Rain Deana Marie Simar de la Paz. It's long I know, and no, it's not my given name. Deana Marie Simar was what my parents named me, I added the Rain de la Paz part. Why? Because it was fun! Most of my friends call me Rain

I was born in Modesto CA, and raised in Reno, NV, but I currently live in Berkeley, CA. Whoever I am, one thing is certain: I belong here. Sometimes when I leave Berkeley, even to go to some of the oulying areas, I am amazed at how different the rest of the country is. Berkeley is a diverse city whose inhabitants are mostly liberal and educated. Sometimes they're a little wierd too, but that's OK, so am I.

Why am I here?

Sometimes I wonder why we are born, then go through all this stuff, and then we die and are (perhaps) born again to do it all over again. Someone told me that we are here for pleasure. Hedonist! I mulled that one over for a month. Then I realized that I have grown more from my pain than from my pleasure, and I discarded that notion. We are here to learn our lessons! That's the best explanation I have been given yet.

For more information about who I am, return to the Journey.

Email: rsimar@ced.berkeley.edu