by Jeanne Ann Whittington We all need kindness. If we are to live well, it’s not optional. As babies, children and throughout our lives, we need to be held in loving relationship to thrive. And from this foundation of having received kindness and care, we need to be able to offer kindness to others, especially … Continue reading We All Need Kindness
“Deeply Listening Within” was the theme for our service on Oct 13th – the one where I had us pay attention to the sensations in our big toes… It was motivated by my quest to have my reactions be more constructive, more intentional, more in line with my aspirations and values, and the impact I … Continue reading From Big Toes to Response Filters
I’d like to think that my sermons help inspire you to greater and greater acts of compassion. Apparently, I’ve been fooling myself. What shapes our readiness to act with compassion is something quite different. A podcast of a German radio program (SWR2 Wissen) provided this summary: A number of seminary students were divided into two … Continue reading Pacing Ourselves, for Compassion
Whether December delights you or depresses you, I can assure you of this: it will not last. Many of us will decorate our homes for Solstice, Hanukkah, and/or Christmas (if we haven’t already), remembering holidays past as we bring out candles, ornaments, maybe those cookie-cutters that only get used once a year. We will sing … Continue reading Winter Holiday Impermanence
(Part 2 of 3) Last month’s musings talked about the importance of warm-ups – whether for sports, music, oratory, or worship. And I tried to make the case that we ought to take equally seriously warm-ups for the most important activity of the day – being the human being we aspire to be. Most of us are committed to … Continue reading Spiritual Warm-up: Setting Intentions
It’s him again! Why does he have to be so annoying? Can’t he just stop being so irritating? Everyone knows he is irritating. Everyone sees he is annoying. He must know this, so why on earth can’t he just change? Then my life would be so much easier, everyone’s life would be easier, even his. … Continue reading Finding Equanimity
