Dear Internet. My name is Demi and I'm a Buddhist. While I'm usually reluctant to introduce myself as such, I've been practicing now for 6 years and with each passing day, Buddhism and I become more deeply interwoven.

You might say, okay, so you're a Buddhist - what's the big deal? Well I guess like any other religious practioner in the 21st century, I have to treat my religious beliefs with care & caution. It's not that I get attacked or vilified for my religious beliefs (which in itself, is a luxury many others on this earth, don't possess). However, the majority of people I know, especially friends in amongst my generation, don't even acknowledge the relevance of any sort of religion let alone practise one. And only six years ago, I too shared their views.

Like every other person on this earth, I was busy ticking off the checklist of mundane life. Did I have a job? Yes, I'd found work as a radiographer that guaranteed steady, comfortable income. Did I have good friends? Yup, I'd become familiar with a wide variety of people from various cultures, thus ensuring I wasn't completely ignorant of the Aussie culture or the world at large. Did I have love? So far, so good. I'd met Craig when I was 18 and so far, the relationship was thriving. I was also in good health; had a fond & warm relationship with most of my family members and not in any significant debt. Set for life right?

Not quite... Despite my tireless efforts to ensure that I had everything I needed to ensure constant happiness, this wasn't reflected in my experience. During my uni years, I suffered from depression which I thought was due mostly to being homesick (I was studying in Brisbane while my family were in Cairns) and the stress of passing exams. As the years went by, I learnt to manage my depression but I always kept my guard as every now and then, I'd experience mini relapses. Even when I finally graduated and was (thank goodness!) finally free of the assignments & exams, I had to prepare myself for the responsibilities of work.

I was only 21 when I started radiography and naturally, quite inexperienced and unprepared for the trials and tribulations of working in healthcare. It was very much sink or swim; I think I mostly flopped & floundered and somehow, my vain efforts got me through my first year as an intern. This was a year of long hours, cranky bosses and difficult workmates.

I had to wonder, where exactly was the happiness & contentment I was seeking? It certainly didn't mimic the glorious success protrayed on tv shows or the movies. And no amount of stuff I brought with my hard earned cash could keep stress at bay for long.

Which brings us to that faithful night at the Cairns airport. I'd just finished visiting my family and yet again, that familiar feeling of homesickness was visiting. I did what I always did. I ignored it and what better distraction, than a good book?

I was looking for a decent fiction, preferably supernatural or fantasy but oddly enough, the book that caught my eye was a small, slim lined book that was titled very modestly, "Buddhism for Busy People." It seemed short and sweet... and hey, surely it wouldn't hurt to become more knowledgeable about one of the oldest religions on earth. Besides, I had family who were Buddhists (actually, they were more like Daoists but I was that ignorant of the subtle differences at the time) so I made my purchase and starting reading.

Little did I expect how that book would change my life. Its pages were like a key, unlocking a part of me that had long waited to be cultivated & nourished. Reading about the basic principles of Buddhism (such as reincarnation, karma, the way reality existed & what Enlightenment truly meant) generated a deep feeling of coming home. That night, a new life outlook was revealed.

It was actually another 6 months, before I was brave enough to find a local Buddhist Center and learn more. The rest is history but without a doubt, I decided I had found my path.

Now the purpose of this post isn't just to plug Buddhism. The goal of starting this blog is to chart my ups & downs as an ordinary Buddhist as I try to make sense of the madness of the 21st Century. Yes, it's not easy being Buddhist, especially when you're the only Buddhist in your family and your husband raises his eyebrow at your very unconventional asian altar. It's never ceases to exasperate Craig or my parents (who are both vets) that I insist on saving ants from water and refuse to kill them. And maybe you might find my struggles familar. You might even have some tips to share with me!

So on that note, let's leave it there for now. Hello. My name is Demi and I'm a Buddhist.