by John Daubney
Those who give of themselves; who have learned the benefits of service, freely-given, are among the happiest people you might encounter day-to-day. Possessing a beautiful smile and a giving spirit, Orisa Skipper, exudes the joy that emanates from being a giving person. Both in her work life and in service here at Unity, Orisa has proved that prayer can not only guide you through difficult times but can also lead you to your true “calling” when you’re willing to ask Spirit for that kind of guidance.
I am a big fan of people, nature, and animals. I devel-oped my love for nature and animals growing up as an only child on a small farm in Oswego County. Living not far from Lake Ontario, the winter was brutal, but also magnificent; a real blast if you were a kid. I would climb the snow drifts to touch the roof of our house, and get screamed at by my mother to get down. I think being around so much natural life led me to holistic interests later in my life.
I had the ability to read peoples energy field at the age of 3, although I didn’t know that was what I was doing until years later. In high school I enjoyed sports, cheerleading, and friends, who I still keep in contact with today. As an only child I had many moments to myself and became interested in doing yoga poses, which I came across in one of my “Teen” magazines. I was hooked from then until now.
After marrying my high school sweetheart just two months after high school graduation, we moved to Albany for college. In the course of 16 years we had four children—two girls and two boys. The marriage was unhealthy and efforts to make it better were unsuccessful. I found myself at 33, divorced, with four children—15, 14, 6, and 4. The ensuing struggle to just survive, seemed very long and never ending.
When I first moved to Albany, I would get a little home sick. My mother suggested horse riding which helped since I am a horse lover but it became expensive, so in the 1970’s I started running regularly. It became a pos-itive outlet for me. It made me feel healthy and strong enough to make my life work.
Prior to the divorce I had also completed a Licensed Practical Nurse program. As an LPN, I experienced working with babies, children, and adults with special needs for 15 yrs. I truly have a connection working with the elderly, and have for 30+ yrs.
It was through Unity that I realized the power of prayer and really connected with Life. I didn’t stop running, but I did start connecting with spirit on my runs. My runs became more important than ever!
The day I walked into that red brick building on Madison Avenue with the sign out front that read Unity, my life started to change. Although I loved the medical field, at 43 and without anything else “calling my name,” I also had a strong desire to leave nursing. On December 31, 1993 I wrote a letter to God at the Burning Bowl service, asking for guidance on what to do with my desire to leave nursing.
In April 1994 my first answer (I missed it at the time) came in a TV news story about a cardiologist discussing how his patients’ recovery were positively affected by massage prior to surgery. My second answer was an advertisement about the practice of Massage Therapy. With the third answer, I finally got what was happening! This came at a baby shower where I only knew two people out of 50, but struck up a conversation with a massage therapist!
I then applied to Finger Lakes School of Massage Therapy in Ithaca, NY and started classes that September. I truly found my passion and have learned so much about myself, spiritually, in that field.
As I reflect on my years at Unity, I recall all the loving support and kindness I have received. The wise words I have heard spoken at Unity have been a light in the darkness for me. I am so grateful and honored to now be serving on the Board of Trustees and able to give back.
At the Burning Bowl service on December 31, 2014, I asked, in my letter to God, to be guided toward giving more service in church. It has happened! The power of prayer is magnificent, and each day I ask for divine guidance. Being on the Search Team and now a mem-ber of the Board of Trustees, I recognize the unity that we have created and the loving support that we give each other. I am aware of the strong foundation we have through this divine love-energy, and I now trust my own inner potential because of that energy. The responsibilities that being a board member requires brings me joy and gives me a clear vision for keeping our congregation strong! The power of prayer is magnificent, and each day I ask for divine guidance.
Much love and abundant blessings to all!