Anae is what the French call a contestaire. A contestaire challenges the established order; they are the type of person who questions everything including the final answer. It is through Anae’s own passion of finding the truth of living a purposeful and fulfilling life that she is able to help others do the same for themselves. The following Q & A was only a confirmation of what I have stated above, and known for as long as I can remember. This interview is between me and my mother… or between The Alchemist and The Apprentice. Have a cup of coffee with us. Enjoy! We did. ~ Joli Campbell
Joli: In what way was your life remarkable?
Anae: As tradition goes … having a preacher/father and nurse/mother I was always told not to rock the boat of life and I did it anyway. I wouldn’t quit asking and that is remarkable in today’s world.
Joli: In what way was your life despicable?
Anae: As life was living me there were multiple things; rape, having a child that no one knew what to do with, having nowhere to ask questions, and attempting to live like everyone else and not being able too. “The curse and the blessing are in the same shell.”
Joli: In what way was your life admirable?
Anae: I enthusiastically joined the dance of life.
Joli: What human qualities were most influential in shaping the way you lived and influenced your lifestyle?
Anae: Existing in survival sucks! It is so below par, it is disgusting, and I want to teach people how to do it different. I remember part of the words to a song something like, “just about the time you think the music of life is silent its essence repeats itself and here it comes again.”
Joli: Which quality or trait proved most troubling and difficult?
Anae: Being “normal” and thinking I could get by with it. There is no such thing as normal.
Joli: Which quality or trait was most beneficial?
Anae: The placidity and flexibility of being able to be here on this planet at this point in time.
Joli: Did you make any major mistakes or bad decisions? If so, which were most life changing?
Anae: No, what I know is that I asked for all of the experiences in my life to be who I am and “actualize,” thus, accommodating my question marks of wanting to know.
Joli: What are the two or three most important lessons a person might learn from the way you live?
Anae: How to say YES. How to keep going. How to laugh. How to be enthusiastic.
Joli: What is the most defining moment in your life?
Anae: When I walked into myself and became intimately available to who I am outside of the “norm.” The moment was with Dr. Ray; a cellular experience that was equal to finding the truth in the nature of it all is the truth of what love is.
Joli: Who were your greatest mentors? Why?
Anae: My mother because she forced me to make a choice. My father gave me courage. Nickolette (my oldest daughter) takes me home to spirit. My son who taught me the physical … the body. My youngest daughter (Joli) who taught me the balance of the mind and emotions. Frank Natalie who gave me the dance of outrageousness. Victor Beasley, he reintroduced me to respect. I have had hundreds of teachers but these were my mentors. Everyone in my life who crosses my path opens me to parts of myself that I don’t know. My favorite quote says:
Any
Relationship that is important to you will either be so
wonderful that it allows you to surrender and find new
parts of yourself, or it will be so difficult that it will cause
you to confront parts of yourself you do not Love.
~anon.
Joli: Many people act out of a “code” or a set of beliefs, which dictate choices. It may be religion, politics, or a personal philosophy. To what extent did you act by a code or act independently of any set of beliefs? Were there times when the code was challenging and impossible to follow?
Anae: The “code” (of the church) itself was impossible which caused a lot of pain. “Living is not in that code.”
Joli: What do you think it means to be a hero?
Anae: People who have heroes don’t know how to be themselves.
Joli: Are you a “hero?”
Anae: I hope so. (And she laughs.)
Joli: Why do you think you are a hero?
Anae: (She laughs some more.)
Joli: Do you think others think you are a hero?
Anae: I have no clue! What other people think of me is none of my business.
Joli: If you wanted to say one thing to the world about how you became who you are what would it be?
Anae: (Long pause of silence) That’s a real question. “I gave up my resistance.”
Joli: What is the single greatest moment you recall about your transitions in life?
Anae: (Another long pause of silence) Being able to feel and be present in the audience of Nickolette’s funeral, as I conducted it. It was a biggie!