Hope & Assurance

Inspiration:

A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked.
–Anais Nin

Hope & Assurance

Hopefulness grows with true joy, in the heart of humble assurance. Hope is often confused with “I want.” Joy is often confused with “Yay! I have what I want!” Assurance is often confused with arrogance (“I count for more.”) Yet hopefulness, joy, and assurance are humble, steadfast, and very different from their false counterparts. The assurance that we are loved and loveable, that we have something to give to the greater good, that we are already here and belong to the whole nourishes hopefulness and joy. There isn’t any up/down positioning in that assurance, only possibilities of what we are each and all to do with these gifts we have, with the lives we live. Shall we contribute to goodness today and every day? I hope so.

Rev. Naomi King, City of Refuge Ministries, TO READ MORE

—

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

—

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

—

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

—

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

—