”If we don’t find a way to transform our pain, we will always transmit it to those around us or turn it against ourselves… If your religion is not teaching you how to recognize, hold, and transform suffering, it is junk religion.”
—Fr. Richard Rohr
How have you transformed pain into something meaningful?
“As Unitarian Universalists, our journey is to transform the big and the small, to transform ourselves, and to transform the world. Universalism means no one is outside of the circle of love, and no one is disposable.” -Elizabeth Nguyen
Let someone into your circle of love today.
Large ships turn slowly, and sometimes over long distances, unless they are being supported and guided by strong tugboats. And yet, they turn all the time. Similarly, large institutions sometimes take a while to fully adapt to changing societal conditions–but they can change.
When have you witnessed a large institution make a significant transformation? What did it take to make it successful?
Sometimes, change comes about because we take the risk to try on something new. Sometimes, we learn about ourselves by putting ourselves out there in new (and sometimes scary) ways.
When have you transformed by trying on something new?
“Ideology sparks movements, but relationships are what change organizations and sustain movements. It takes one relationship at a time. In the end changes to the leadership of the institution happen because of relationships, people pushing. We must place value on the relationships and the need to not leave folks behind in our quest for transformation.” -Elandria Williams
How have you witnessed relationships lead to larger transformation?
