Hello SoulFire,

Welcome to the Nexus.  What a great introduction - not only the journey you have shared with us but how well it is written.  Perhaps a small thing, but one I appreciate very much.  It made reading a relatively longer essay (yours) a pleasure that was over all too soon.

I sincerely hope my posting/bumping this thread promotes other full readings and comments.

I just want to say you explained yourself really well and it sounds like your ongoing journey is an amazing one.  I really really appreciate your fundamental open-mindedness that came through throughout my reading of this.

Take a look around.  You can post anywhere in the Welcome Area but by being logged on you can get into all the other areas.  Keep posting, you'll get promoted in no time at all and then can fully participate.  I sincerely look forwarding to reading your contributions as interact with this community. 

Again, a warm welcome to you.