Category: Meditations

“I’ve always found early morning a holy time—not that I necessarily want to be awake then; sometimes what is holy is also difficult—and as a new parent, early morning has taken on new levels of sacred. Now I hold my crying son against my chest and he quiets, breathing warm against my neck, as I murmur lullabies. That warm breath makes my eyes prickle.” -Caitlin Cotter Coillberg, from a Braver/Wiser reflection that ends with this prayer:

May we carry joy into each new day, and practice hope even and especially in the midst of grief and uncertainty. May we have the courage to love, again and again and again, and may we love with the fierce determination our world and lives demand.

“Joy is an act of resistance.” -Toi Derricotte

Experience joy today.

We don’t know when your birthday is, but we are clear that you are worth celebrating. We are glad you’re here. We are glad you were born. You deserve a song and a treat, and maybe even a party. We celebrate you today, whenever your birthday might be.

Treat yourself with kindness and respect today. Someone else is glad you were born.

Each November 20, communities all around the world pause to commemorate the Transgender Day of Remembrance. This year, we honor the 426 transgender people who were murdered or who died by suicide in the past year. The list is always too long–even one person on that list is too many. And yet, we must remember. And the list, however long, is incomplete. We remember them.

Take a moment today to remember and grieve. If you can, visit Remembering Our Dead and read the list of names or watch the slide show for a while.

“Spirit of Life and Love, help us to be known and to know each other. Let us see the beauty spilling out. Keep us vulnerable and open, speaking our own truth and listening—always listening—to the truths of others.” – Amanda Poppei

Have you had an experience of being truly known in all of your beauty? Tell us about it.