June 24, 2018

I do not claim that the beliefs which bring me to Quaker Meeting are true, in an objective sense. My beliefs are entirely subjective. My beliefs and all my actions, including attending Quaker Meeting, arise from choices which bring meaning and peace to my life – choices from which I experience growth and contribution.

I do not claim that atheists are wrong. I do not claim that anyone who perceives or worships God – however named – in ways other than I do is wrong. What I do claim is the experience of a power or a spirit which, whenever consulted, offers immediate and sound guidance in relating to, and learning from, other people with love and compassion.

I never read a more powerful or important book than Man’s Search For Meaning, by Dr. Viktor Frankl. That book is about the importance of finding meaning in life, for its own sake and because meaning, though different for everyone, is such a reliable, motivating, and comforting companion. Especially in these times of epidemic loneliness locally, nationally and globally, it is essential to our own well-being and to our level of contribution to others – to Life - that we seek, find and develop meaning in our lives, in study, research, meditation, service – or in the search, itself, for meaning.

Time and will

There are many major types of differences between people. Some differences are internal. Personality alone is unique, at least in nuance, to each person. There are also differences in the type and, within type, degree of intelligence and aptitude; in health and fitness; in our interests; and in our assumptions and perceptions about hypothetically identical events and conditions.
There are also external differences, such as what we have, as measured for example by the quality and number of our relationships, by the degree to which we are loved, by our educational, service, work and recreational  opportunities, or by our bank balances.
There are two great equalizers: time and, barring mental illness, will - that is, the the capacity to choose how we will use our time. Each person has the same 1440 minutes per day. Everyone - again, barring mental illness - has the same capacity to choose to love, i.e., to accept people and things just as they are, and to express love.  Everyone has the same capacity to choose to grow, to forgive, to be vulnerable, and to be brave, all despite resulting discomfort.
Let us choose wisely.

Expectations

Whether we create low expectations or high expectations, we are likely to meet them.

June 3, 2018

We experience grace more often when we seek it, or the need of it, in our daily lives; when we undertake to be a steward and an agent of grace; to keep it in store, and to give it away freely.