Hello. I go by Brightness, I'm a girl who just graduated high school last year. I've had a rough past where I used to be depressed and self loathing and suicidal (made one attempt last year), seeing no value and meaning in living life. I was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, and diagnosed with depression, OCD, and borderline personality disorder as a teenager. I went through a lot of phases...I attached myself to anything outside of myself that made me happy. I admit I still have those tendencies. Going through high school, I was also never clear on what I want to do with my life...while these kids around me would claim they knew what they were gonna do, they got all the plans for college and everything. Well...that path wasnt really calling my name. I moved out of my mothers house 2 weeks after I turned 18. Shortly after that, I got the opportunity to leave my hometown with the boyfriend I was with at the time. We hitchhiked out of there all the way to the Rainbow Gathering that happened last November, it wasn't far from Fortuna Cali. It was my first gathering, and I gotta say, it really did change my life. I saw the beauty of life itself. I experienced the freedom of embracing the human experience, not loathing it. I finally found a place outside of Babylon, with people I can relate with and learn from; people who know of the flaws of modern society like I do. My appreciation for what I have went up, and my clinging to material possessions went down. After that gathering, I went to the Black Sheep Rainbow Gathering that happened in Cali as well...I believe the closest town to the camp was Gormon. That's where I was for Christmas time, first time I tripped balls on acid too. And for New Years, I went to San Fransisco and got to see Furthur live. I got a free ticket, standin outside with a sign saying "I need a miracle" shoutin for help. I didn't think it was actually gonna work but it did, lol. I had a great time. And now I'm back at my hometown. Trying to get my ID and birth certificate and food stamps and so forth. I'm trying to get these things taken care of, for I still don't know what to do with my life..and getting these things done is a good place for me to start. I'm also gonna finally start driving....even though i have a serious fear of doing that. All I know is I want to keep following Rainbow...for if it wasn't for Rainbow, I wouldn't be where I am right now. Yeah...long intro. I came to this site to connect with other Rainbow Family, and other people in general, to talk about my interests and gain insights from others. ive looked around this site before and it seems really cool. Peace
