I am an Atheist. I don't believe in God or any divine being for that matter. However, that doesn't mean I lack morals or a sense of right and wrong.

There is often recoil when I say "I am Atheist", and I understand why. Atheism is associated with a forceful declaration and then an attempt to prove there is no god, for many atheism leaves a bad taste in the mouth. This isn't my brand of Atheism and I often struggle to identify myself as such in public. When I do, the term spiritual atheism comes into the declaration.

The idea of a spiritual atheist is often a new one for some, the idea that an atheist could find the same sense of oneness that one finds in a church, temple or other religious place is surprising. I think that every atheist builds their own way of being and for me it comes through multiple practices from many walks of life all tied together. I dance because it is a connection to other people, I sing because it is an expression of joy, I meditate for self reflection, I hike for a oneness with the world and I stargaze because it reminds me that there is so much more in the universe than just me. Respect and kindness are my guiding principles and I strive to meet them everyday. I am trying to redefine atheism for myself and change it to something positive.