Daily Compass

We…covenant to affirm and promote…the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

How is your life changed knowing that you are worthy?

On May 12, 1961, the union of Universalism and Unitarianism in the US took effect with the creation of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Daily Compass meditations are brought to you by the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Larger Fellowship, and we invite you to spend some time reflecting on the spiritual gifts of the current and proposed principles of Unitarian Universalist congregations this month as we celebrate union.

How have you learned from your history? How do you use that knowledge to move forward?

Around the world, the month-long Muslim observance of Ramadan comes to an end today with Eid-al-Fitr, the breaking of the fast. Those who observe this day will give to assist the poor and reflect on the spiritual lessons of Ramadan that have taught them of the greatness of God.

How does your faith call you to help others?

Norbert Čapek, 20th Century Czech Unitarian minister, developed the Flower Festival as a way to recognize that like a bouquet of flowers, each of us brings a different sort of beauty and a different perspective to our community. Here is his prayer over the flowers:

“Infinite Spirit of Life, we ask thy blessing on these, thy messengers of fellowship and love. May they remind us, amid diversities of knowledge and of gifts, to be one in desire and affection and devotion to thy holy will. May they also remind us of the value of comradeship, of doing and sharing alike. May we cherish friendship as one of thy most precious gifts. May we not let awareness of another’s talents discourage us, or sully our relationship, but may we realize that whatever we can do, great or small, the efforts of all of us are needed to do thy work in this world.”

Notice and appreciate the beauty in the differences you see in others today.

William Ellery Channing believed that we were called as humans to practice self-culture, the care and growth of the self. He likened it to agriculture, the care and growth of carefully-selected crops. While Channing’s focus on how to grow has not held up well through the years, the idea that each of us deserves the right conditions to foster our growth has.

What are ways you would like to grow? What are the conditions you would need to exhibit that growth?