My life’s work is a great big pile of spiritual, cosmological, and theological questions answered.
My life’s work is an even bigger great big pile of spiritual, cosmological, and theological questions unanswered.
My life’s work is to ask all that has been asked before and answer it again.
My life’s work is to ask all that is being asked now and answer it now.
My life’s work is to attempt to discern all that might be asked in the future and answer that as close to now as possible—you know, when I’m finished with the first two things, which won’t take but two shakes of a lamb’s tail I’m sure. I’m speedy like that.
My life’s work is to add vigorously and continuously to the even bigger great big question pile so my life’s work is never complete.
When I was Mormon (my cult of origin), my best friend (not Mormon) and I were discussing a translation of the Bible Joseph Smith never got to finish. I can’t remember what the windup was exactly—something something about how I might like to finish it, or someone might like to finish it, or who could possibly finish it—something something like that. And her answer was, “If not you, who?”
Though I, as your future Pagan cult leader, no longer seek in any way to start or finish any translation of the Bible, the principle stands.
When you’re feeling awestruck and stupid standing before the great questions of gods and god and the logistics of godhood (my personal favorite), and Nature and Love and Existence, and why and who and what’s it all about anyway—when you’re feeling awestruck and stupid as the answers inevitably and so generously unfold themselves before you, bring my friend to mind and her wise question—wise for all of us who would seek to know and all who would worry they are incapable, unready, unworthy, or lost.
If not you, who?
That’s my life’s work. In the realm of spirituality—that. Reminding you—and me—over and over and over of that: If not you, who?
-M. Ashley
Your Future Cult Leader
Your Future Cult Leader 