Author: Michael Tino

“Our Unitarian Universalist faith insists that we do not limit the infinity of grace. Therefore our job is to cultivate possibility in response to isolation and suffering. The feeling of chaos that is inherent in possibility makes us uneasy. But when we embody possibility, we are creating a new story to explain the world and our participation in it. We are taking an evolutionary step forward, one that allows for a future in which our children themselves can be creatively ambiguous in heart, body, and mind.” -Mitra Rahnema

How do you cultivate possibility?

“During my chaplain residency I prayed with hundreds of families—many of whom were dealing with the death or imminent death of their loved ones. At first I wasn’t sure how to pray, or to whom. So I muddled through the best I could, and then invited the families to pray in their own words. Sometimes they would pray to Jesus, sometimes to God, occasionally they would dispense with the address and just pray, but almost always their prayers were of thanksgiving. Time after time, in the moment of the tenderest loss, families would give thanks.” -Daniel Schatz

What are you thankful for today, despite what is so hard?

 

“As an adult, it took me a long time to realize that I, too, could bless. It was not easy to learn that I had the ability to bless, to send my good wishes and wishes of safety to those I love, or simply to recognize the sacredness of something or someone. Growing up, I had learned that elders, priests, mothers, and nuns could bless and—well, I was none of those for a long time. But then I discovered that blessing something or someone is recognizing their sacred nature, caring for them enough to want them to be protected, and a way of expressing my gratitude and reverence for them.” – Tania Y Márquez, from the reflection “To Bless and Be Blessed”

Bless someone today.

When we speak of family as Unitarian Universalists, we are called to expand our definition beyond the typical Western idea of Family. We are called to understand that family is not something we have but something we build, together. -Christina Rivera (CLF)

How have you built family for yourself?

“I’m gonna hold on in the transition. I choose to change. In the stillness, I reach back to reconnect to my first caretakers’ love: seeds sown in me long ago. I want the harvest of that love. I want everyone to have the Presence and Care of Love. It should just be permaculture for us all.” – Melissa Jeter, from a Braver/Wiser reflection, “Called to Heal”

What do you do to plant seeds of love?