I am d-o-n-e DONE! I am done with Oprah, done with motivational speakers on public broadcasting television and radio. I am done with the multibillion dollar self-help industry.

The last self-help book I will ever touch was “Happier than God.” Thank You Neale, but you put me over the edge. This silly girl cannot wrap her head around how you might propose to tell me how to be happier than God — is God even happy? Saturated is what I have become and because of you Neale, Deepak, Wayne, M. Scott, Rainer, Kermit (Yes, you Kermit. I don’t need your book to know to look before I leap) and countless others, you have all brought me back to what it is I know.

I know that my creator lovingly set me on this planet with all the knowledge I would need to live a happy, fulfilling life. With this love I have the power to know right from wrong. I have all the tools needed to go through my days not harming myself or others as I live thoughtfully everyday. I don’t need anyone’s religion (organized or not) to tell me how to get by. I have learned that if you get down to the bare bones of it all, everyone on a spiritual path is saying the same thing (and mostly only disagreeing on which human being to follow). It’s be kind, thoughtful and do no harm to others or yourself.

I will not ever tell anyone that their way is not the right way — I believe we all hear the tune that makes sense to us. Please don’t tell me my way is wrong. I sometimes live a crazy life on this planet, and I know that the most loving possession I hold is that of free will — that’s how I know that my creator is loving.

We all have choices! I will choose to know that I have the answers within. Yes, there are times when I forget this. I think “free will” is a huge responsibility and at times it is the one thing that gets in my way. Sometimes, it seems easier to be lazy and do the wrong thing. To be mindful of my actions at all times can be exhausting — thinking before I speak, watching before I step, stopping when I am full, walking instead of driving, informing myself instead of assuming, choosing to help those less fortunate and all the other countless acts that I want to be mindful of — exhausting! But I would rather be tired with choices than to not have them at all.

So I will continue down my yellow brick road with a grin adorning my face because I know I am in the hands of a loving creator that does not mind my choice to stop listening to those who have been trying to tell me what I have known all along. And my loving creator forgives me for my mistakes because he/she/it knows I am trying!

Lenora James attended the Rhythm of Peace Project meeting sponsored by Lane Interfaith Alliance. This column is coordinated by LIA to offer inspiration, share personal spiritual experiences and bring a deeper understanding of individual faith perspectives with the intention of blessing the community and world. For information, visit www.laneinterfaithalliance.org.