October 21, 2018

Every conscious moment is a crossroads; a choice of what to do; and thus vulnerable to anxiety and regret.

Every human life – each life being a series of moments, of choices – is vulnerable to anxiety, regret, travail and discouragement.

Hope is vulnerable, too, but resilient: after a setback, hope helps us to press on toward our goals and to persevere in the service of others which gives life meaning.

Holy Spirit, we are just individuals, but please help us to cultivate hope and resilience through clarity of what we can do, and through love.

Reality check #7

Ask of any good thing (including the absence of its opposite - horrible, difficult or merely unpleasant or inconvenient things): do I feel entitled to that good thing?
On what basis? 
Is it something guaranteed by law? 
Is it something I earned?
Or is it something to which I'm more comfortable feeling entitled than admitting I just want it?
Am I justifying what I want rather than cultivating gratitude for what I have?
Am I willing to learn, even to work hard to learn, facts and conditions - starting with the advantages I've enjoyed which countless others have not - to which I might be blind, or comfortably unconscious, because my ignorance helps me feel entitled to what I have?

Relationships built on genius

If you believe there is something holy in every person, doesn't that mean there is a spirit of grace and of creativity - of genius - in every person?
What does it cost you to seek and acknowledge the grace and genius in others?
Imagine how your seeking and acknowledging the grace and genius in others could help them find it within themselves. 
Imagine relationships built on seeking and appreciating each other's genius! 
- God (attrib.)

October 7, 2018

Holy Spirit, in these times of conflict, fear, physical and emotional violence, and confusion, with injustice, self-righteousness and pain seemingly all around us, we seek your guidance.

What are we to do?

Today, the response I get is this:

“For what moment have I not prepared you to do your best?

“Also: accept discomfort, at least sometimes, for it is essential to growth.”

(Spoken at Connecticut Valley Quarterly Meeting)