My essence is holy, pure and undefiled. From the instant of my conception, though, the world affects me from within and from without, causing me to have ungodly craving, selfishness, and prejudice, traits which are all simply the various disguises of fear. As my personality develops, these traits form my personality to the extent that I live apart from God, which is to live in the absence of love. Prayer and meditation bring me back to God, and the strength and persistence of my faith transforms me. I can see that ultimately I will return to that state of my essential being, which is holy, pure and undefiled. I will become my true self once again.
Nick Hilton - Reflections 