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Gratefulness
I am not only grateful for “good” experiences but also for the “bad” ones too, because it is these experiences that bless us with wisdom.
Last weekend, as I struggled through a 5K race, there were plenty of people I didn’t know on the sidelines cheering me on.
I express creativity through my writing. When I write, I feel myself sinking into a flow of thoughts and ideas that sometimes allow me to articulate what I was previously unable to articulate verbally.
I definitely want to write a handwritten letter or card to the people who have housed me when I have commuted for my internship. It has been such an honor to get to know these people and to experience their generosity. I would write about how much I appreciate their willingness to cook for me and make room for me to stay at their homes and, for one family, how much I loved getting to know their animal companions.
I am rich in all the knowledge and wisdom I have developed over the years. My experiences, questions, doubts, and life lessons have all taught me so much!
Having recently joined Reddit, I was offered a new perspective on how white people selling goods that come from other cultures without partnering with people from those cultures can be harmful-namely, people will be more likely to buy from the white sellers of those items than from those of the original culture, so that those who sell who are from the marginalized culture end up making less money off their products. Reddit is actually a really good platform for learning about complicated topi...
Having recently joined Reddit, I was offered a new perspective on how white people selling goods that come from other cultures without partnering with people from those cultures can be harmful-namely, people will be more likely to buy from the white sellers of those items than from those of the original culture, so that those who sell who are from the marginalized culture end up making less money off their products. Reddit is actually a really good platform for learning about complicated topics that are often difficult to understand.
Because I am financially well off, I try to always carry some cash around to give to anyone who might be needy, hungry, or homeless. That way, I am not just hoarding all of my money for myself but actually giving it to those in need.
My beginnings of understanding the boundaries between healthy cultural borrowing vs. economic exploitation, cultural misrepresentation, resource exploitation, and sacrilege are calling me to understand more so that I can practice my spirituality and borrow from different traditions without doing so in harmful ways. While I admit there is some fear that I may have to change certain aspects of my practice, I think it is better to give up certain practices for the sake of not hurting people from...
My beginnings of understanding the boundaries between healthy cultural borrowing vs. economic exploitation, cultural misrepresentation, resource exploitation, and sacrilege are calling me to understand more so that I can practice my spirituality and borrow from different traditions without doing so in harmful ways. While I admit there is some fear that I may have to change certain aspects of my practice, I think it is better to give up certain practices for the sake of not hurting people from other cultures than to continue certain practices just because I like them.
Honestly, I don’t know anyone who is suffering who I haven’t reached out to yet, but if I do encounter someone, I can always give them a message of hope or, if nothing else, the gift of love and presence.
I can help to preserve the interdependent web of life on this planet by reducing, reusing, and recycling; not buying or owning more than what I need (living simply); walking, running, using mass transit, or biking rather than driving when possible; and partnering with other organizations to fight against environmental degradation and its intersecting oppressions (environmental racism especially).
In the natural world, I feel humbled in clear night skies far away from cities, where the stars and moon are clearly visible. I begin to realize just how small I am and how great the universe is.
For me, the “great fullness” of life is the opportunity to learn more and more everyday. This world, with all its complexity, provides opportunities to grow in a little more wisdom and insight into the self and the interdependent web of existence everyday.
Through my internship right now at Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, I am learning to interact and work closely with colleagues and friends-something that is keeping my tendency to self-isolate in check.
If I felt that I truly have and am enough, I would be braver about giving money to systemic social justice causes without hindrance. I admit, however, that there’s a greedy part of me that says, “But what if I run out of money?! Then what?!” Perhaps I can start by giving just a little more often than I do and work my way up to becoming a more charitable person.
We need to do something about climate change yesterday, both individually and systemically. In my unpopular opinion, we shouldn’t be doing any activities that emit large amounts greenhouse gases in the air (including cow farming, driving fossil fuel cars, factories, etc.), and we should have figured this out forever ago. We need to get this done NOW, or we’re going to die as a species, along with many other species. Why even left-wing politicians don’t see the deep urgency b...
We need to do something about climate change yesterday, both individually and systemically. In my unpopular opinion, we shouldn’t be doing any activities that emit large amounts greenhouse gases in the air (including cow farming, driving fossil fuel cars, factories, etc.), and we should have figured this out forever ago. We need to get this done NOW, or we’re going to die as a species, along with many other species. Why even left-wing politicians don’t see the deep urgency behind this is beyond me.
I can ease the distress of others by being compassionately present when people are suffering or struggling. Sometimes, I don’t even need to say anything; it’s just important to be with them through their pain.
Well honestly, it’s small because I have a lot of work to do, but perhaps I can make a post on Facebook related to gratitude and peace-perhaps something about peace with others or gratitude for the amazing world we live in.
I’ve noticed that, sometimes, the voice in my head keeps telling me that I’m an imposter and that I’m not meant to be a minister-that my calling is something greater than I can bear. Maybe releasing that story and telling myself a different story about how much I’ve learned and experienced over the years and how these experiences have prepared me to be a great minister to people.
Since 9/11 was just two days ago, today is a good day to remember the victims of those horrible attacks, as well as the first responders who risked their own lives to save others. It’s also good to remember the Muslim community, which, unfortunately, has often been scapegoated for the attacks, even though an Islamic extremist group like al-Qaeda clearly does not reflect an entire religious group.
Envy can teach me how to be a person who is committed to love and justice. I envy people like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Ghandi, Jesus of Nazareth, Oscar Romero, and others, who were able to simultaneously fight for justice and love while also loving and forgiving their enemies at the same time. I can learn from my envy by imitating these amazing figures that made a difference in the world.
The diversity of human culture with its various values and faith traditions, some of which is responsible for the arising of civilization itself, makes my heart sing.
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We are delighted to announce the release of Kristi Nelson’s book Wake Up Grateful
