Life Unfolding: Transformation

Inspiration:

May I sow seeds of kindness, that those who come behind me may reap joy.

Life Unfolding: Transformation

Just as a tree takes on different shapes and sizes throughout its lifespan, from seed to sapling, to sturdy oak, so do we as human beings. We are constantly emerging, growing, and changing shape. For many of us, this includes assuming new roles or taking on new responsibilities. Ideally, I suppose these roles would all converge into one and we would be integrated and whole beings. But that is so difficult sometimes!

by Margaret Weis, Ministerial Intern, First Parish of Watertown, Unitarian Universalist. TO READ MORE

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A Prayer of Earth and Spirit

Inspiration:

Where, in your body, do you feel joy?

A Prayer of Earth and Spirit

Spirit of Life, remind me of my deep belonging to this world. May I know in my bones my true place in the family of Earth. Just as the roots of a tree belong to the soil and microbes, and the branches of that tree belong to the wind and birds that come to perch, may I know my own deep roots and wide branches as belonging to a greater forest of life. As such, may I know regularly the gift of grace, and act whenever I am able in service to the whole.

By Barbara Ford TO READ MORE

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Expressing Gratitude

Inspiration:

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
Thich Nhat Hanh

Expressing Gratitude

We let ourselves believe that gratitude is a rare and fragile thing. It’s not. The thank-yous are very durable and have a way of bouncing back. Smiles are even better! I am always happy to see a very wrinkly person. Those crow’s feet and lines around the mouth represent a giver. A giver of smiles and gratitude. And really what are a few wrinkles, compared to happiness?

By Jie Wronski-Riley TO READ MORE

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Choosing Joy

Inspiration:

Imagine that joy is a clear spring that arises from deep in your body. How will you clear a path for this stream to bubble up?

Choosing Joy

Here’s what I’ve learned: I can choose joy. You can too. This seems to me like a pretty important thing in a world where all the problems, from lack of jobs to climate change, seem pretty overwhelming. There’s a lot of super-depressing stuff in the world. You don’t need a list. But however sad or mad you might be over the state of the world, you can find what gives you joy, and choose that.

BY REV. LYNN UNGAR, MINISTER FOR LIFESPAN LEARNING, CHURCH OF THE LARGER FELLOWSHIP TO READ MORE

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You Are Not the Biggest Thing

Inspiration:

If you think that what you see is all there is, try looking for stars in broad daylight.

You Are Not the Biggest Thing

An experience of transcendence is a reminder that you are not the biggest thing, that there is something beyond you. What you can see is not all that there is to be seen. What you believe or perceive does not cover everything that can be known. I have had tiny moments of transcendence as I sat grumpily behind a stupid driver who was stopped in the middle of the road for no reason, only to realize that they stopped to let a pedestrian that I couldn’t see cross the street. Oh. Funny thing. It turns out that I’m not the only person on the road, and my desire to quickly get where I need to be is no more important than the pedestrian’s need to do the same thing—and it’s a whole lot less important than the driver in front of me choosing not to run someone over!

BY REV. LYNN UNGAR, MINISTER FOR LIFESPAN LEARNING, CHURCH OF THE LARGER FELLOWSHIP TO READ MORE

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