Things that make me happy include acting, teaching, golfing, reggae music. When I'm not working, I'm usually playing golfing, hanging out, loungin on the couch. However with my new coach Libby Pace, the lounging on the couch part is dimenshing rapidly. I'm working mama even when I am not working. The thing I'd most like to change is my financial status and an age old poverty consciousness that no longer serves me. The one other thing I'd like others to know about me is I believe in and support the idea of peace love and personal fulfillment for the betterment of the world in which we now live.

I am a 42 year old, African American, male, actor, artist and teacher. And I am telling my story here in this place of supposed anonimity. I am not ashamed or afraid of what my life has been up to now. And I am writing a new chapter right now, as I write, I can feel my cells transforming, wrapping themselves around a new idea, a new intention, which is really not new at all. It is the same voice that has been whispering to me since I was an infant. I am listening again. I am open to the universe in all it's abundance. I am not afraid, ashamed or attached to my story because that is all it is; the story of what happened unitl now. Now i stand on the threshold of greatness, at the door of knowing my higher self and my higher purpose. The question is will I answer? Will I walk through? Will I become more so that I may give more? And the answer is an emphatic and resounding YES!. And this time I am not above asking for help and receiving it.

My story goes; that i was raised in Compton, California during the most violent time of the city's history. My story goes; that I was saved by the universe, by my higher self, by God for some greater purpose. Beacuse every single friend I had in the Compton Crips is either dead, in prison or strung out on drugs. Whereas most people have friends even now, that they went to high school with . That is not a part of my story. My story goes that at the age of 19 my first born son was given up for adoption by his white, mormon mom, who was almost ten years my senior and living in orange county. My story goes that I was duped into beleiveing I could have a relationship w/my son even under these circumstances. That was not part of my story. My story goes I was married, had a beautiful daughter and divorced, after I thought that I would be married for the rest of life, raise a family and live happily ever after. That is not a part of my story. My story goes that i am not very good at relationships. I am not very good with money. I am not very good at being me. But that part of the story is gone, it can only be remembered and hopefully learned from. I now live in the now!

My now goes: I am a talented actor and teacher. I have a healthy relationship now with both my son and my daughter. I am learning to be financially responsible,socially concious and spiritually aware of my words and deeds. My now is; I am exploding the paridyme and exploring new/old belieifs about who I am and my purpose and potential in this life. My now is that I am embracing the fullness of life and breathing everyday and I choose to do some work for and on myself so that I may better serve and give. I open my life here and call forth the support and counsel and fellowship I so desire.

I invite you to watch me, challenge me hold me accountable to myself and others and lets make magic happen and bring that into time right now. I thank you. I honor you and i support you in your belief for a better me and better you and a better world.

Blessings, Peace, Power and Prosperity through Wisdom (which is application of knowledge), Knowledge (which is the aqcuisition of information) and understanding (which is the knowing of how the other two may best serve ourselves and others),

Gerald C. Rivers