It

Beware of It. It, as in "This is It!", can be a dangerous illusion. We are all sadly aware of the behavior of some who decide that fundamentalist Islam is their It. In general, finding religion, making religion your It, leads to a dead end. The educated will be able to integrate the religious It into the rest of their lives in positive ways. The determinedly ignorant will just go from religion to another It, perhaps racist supremacy of some brand. 

Alcohol is the It of the alcoholic. Heroin is the It of the junkie. The circuit party can become the It of the pretty young gay man. Another person can become the It for someone insecure in himself. Eventually life's diverse experiences, which come at random, can turn any It into a That, as in "Oh, That!".

Changing my focus from the external and magical It was absolutely necessary when I battled with my own body for survival. I realized that I am my It. I am ultimately my body and my mind. Without developing those, I am adrift in a senseless road trip to the grave. Making my own personal development my It is what I call my practice. This is not a practice of cosmetic surgery and tanning booths. My practice is centered on becoming a conscientious and compassionate human being in the moments of my life. This is my way of living a life which is responsible and responsive to my internal and external environment.