100% God-Free (Soul Food with Empty Calories)

I grew up Catholic. In my early 20s, I left God because it seemed educated people eschewed God and that, as an educated person, that was not only the right thing to do - but the educated thing to do.

I look back now and realize I let someone else do my thinking for me; more importantly, I let someone else tell me how MY heart felt about God and religion.

I admit, I'm not a Bible thumper or someone who announces their belief in God from the rafters as I point a casting finger down at the "heathens". I'm the "quiet" Catholic...the one who grew-up believing in God (and still do), but something is starting to make me want to say, if not scream, something.

In Portland, the number of churches is just as visible as the number of fine restaurants and food carts that dot our beautiful city. Yet, with all the churches, it seems Portland is more Godless than most other cities I've lived in - in fact, I've read and been told (from casual surveys) that we boast a population with the highest number of atheists and agnostics, respectively (as there is a difference), in America.

It saddens me that in a city filled with so many churches that can provide food for famished souls, some still go hungry - and some go hungry by choice. With all our restaurants and churches, it seems there is a hunger that has more to do with soul food rather than sole food.

What happened? Some point to politics. Liberals don't believe in God and Portland is a very liberal city. Yes and no. Being a Liberal doesn't make you a card-carrying God-hater. I should know, because I'm a Liberal who believes in God.

Some point to science - that science cannot support a God. However, I disagree. Evolution and religion can go hand-in-hand; why is it so shocking to think God's blueprint was evolution?

Others point to, what I call, the wishing well theory. They've prayed and their prayers yielded nothing in return, so why bother? However, prayer is not just a means to ask for countless things (although I admit I am praying for a husband, LOL!). Prayer, to me, is my daily conversation with God. And, yes, most of of us pray (at some point) to ask for something whether it's a sunny Memorial Day weekend for their camping trip or a snow day to get out of school. But God knows who we are; he knows that despite the "requests" he knows we're not just asking; we're telling him more important stuff, too. Once we get past the fluff, we might tell him what is troubling our soul or what's making it jump in leaps and bounds.

People that don't believe in God are not "less" in my opinion; however, if they even peered into the kaleidoscope that shows what he is capable of, they would certainly be, if not see, more.

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

Here in Portland, our rain is the stuff of jokes, myths, and, probably, legends. Unfortunately, it also perpetuates this long-standing observation, if not stereotype, of people who carry and use umbrellas.

You can tell they're not from around here; they're carrying an umbrella.

I'm from upstate New York. Home of the white power dump - a winter snowfall can result in 18+ inches of the white stuff overnight coupled with bone-chilling temperatures. Because of my exposure to a "real" winter, does that mean I walked around naked when the white stuff flew because I was a native?

Hell, no.

Wool coat. Lined leather (waterproof) gloves. Hat. Scarf. Wool socks. Boots up to my knees. The haute couture of the Northeast.

When I first moved to Oregon in 2000, I wanted to draw as little suspicion as possible (as I heard about this "native" philosophy), so I never carried an umbrella. When I taught at a local community center part-time, I decided to walk on the nights I taught for fitness. Turns out it rained (I kid you not) the eight Thursdays I taught that spring. It wasn't drizzle but it wasn't a torrential downpour, either. I let myself get soaked because I thought carrying and using an umbrella drew attention to the fact I wasn't a true Oregonian.

Looking back, that is the one of the dumber things I have done in an attempt to save face. I'm not sure if I walked in that freezing, soaking rain because of pride or stupidity.

Today, I would tell you it was stupidity. I would also tell you I carry an umbrella every day now because it makes sense and who the hell enjoys being wet unless it involves a cocktail and sunscreen?

Come rain or shine, with umbrella or without, you should always carry with you the knowledge that you are a unique individual and letting other people's opinions drive you is a waste of time. On the flip side, you have to respect others as well. In my case, where I've lived in four very different states, you have to respect the local culture - having traveled extensively throughout the US, I can honestly say there is always a local culture. So...

Don't expect a Starbucks in the middle of nowhere.

Don't move to a large city and expect no traffic.

Don't make fun of people who wear overalls.

Don't think that everyone who drives a BMW is a pr!ck or yuppie.

...and don't make fun of people who carry umbrellas.