I always appreciate invitations to new ways of thinking. At 17 years old, I heard a Catholic clergy person say that there are “many paths to God.” As a strict Muslim at the time that way of thinking was unimaginable. I invited myself to consider this idea over the next few years and eventually landed on Unitarian Universalism.
What are ways you’ve been invited into new ways of thinking?
I love giving invitations to my home. I love sharing my space, always including food, with friends and family both new and old. However early on in my marriage I realized my partner didn’t share that interest. Their invitation was based on other dynamics and we had to come to compromise about the how and when of invitations. Over the years those invitations have grown and shaped who we are as a family. It has been a beautiful thing to see our invitations evolve.
How do you give others invitations? How do you make room for the needs of others in your giving?
Receiving an invitation is so fun! Whether by snail mail or electronically, I always get excited when I open an invitation. When is the occasion? Will I be able to go? Who else will be there? What will we do?
What do you hope to receive today?
The power of invitation and intention go along with each other. On this, the first day of a new year, we have an opportunity to set our intentions for 2022–to invite into our year qualities that will guide us in the months to come.
What are you inviting into your life in 2022?
The sixth day of Kwanzaa celebrates Kuumba, the principle of creativity. People are instructed to reflect on what they can do to leave their communities more beautiful and whole.
What are the ways you can add beauty to the world (and to your community) in 2022?
