I first found out about Scientology when I was 17 years old. It couldn't have come at a better time because I was fresh out of high school, didn't have a clue what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and I wasn't all that great at communicating with others. I liked people a lot, but I was shy . It took me a while to be comfortable enough around somebody to really be myself -- and unfortunately, with a lot of people I wanted to get to know, there never was time enough for that to occur! My first acquaintance with Scientology was an introductory lecture. Then I took a personality test. It was remarkably accurate! There were all my sterling qualities -- and my glaring faults -- laid out before my view. Fortunately, for every area needing improvement, there was the glimmer of hope that something could be done about it, and then the realization that help was on the way.

     My first course was a communications course. There went the lion's share of my shyness! Then I did a course that improved my ability to control various aspects of my life and to help people who were injured or disoriented. I was on my way. I was also reading all the books on the subject I could get my hands on. My understanding of myself and others was skyrocketing. Things really started making sense.

     Well, that was almost 30 years ago, and I have often wondered since that time what my life would have been like had I not started on this road. As it is, I have achieved a competence in life and an affinity for my fellow man and a freedom of being that makes each day bright and new. I know there is something I can do about the conditions that exist on this planet today and that with the understandings and techniques available in Scientology and with the help of other people of good will, we will create a better world . As L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, has written: "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology."