Reflections

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  1. Robin Ann

    Kindness, compassion and forgiveness but also peace The first three are pillars that were actually mentioned at the Advent event I went to today.

    4 months ago
  2. Linda

    Kindness to all sentient beings.

    4 months ago
  3. Don Jones

    What a wonderful question!

    I have often pondered the depths and dimensions of this life and the journey that is unfolding. I come back to what is my deepest desire – the one at the very core or foundation of who I really am. I guess that is another way of saying what I stand for.

    My first priority is to cultivate a deep and personal relationship with God. It burns at my core. I actively seek that relationship each day so I can discern and enact God’s will in my life.

    The Spirit (Ruach) is in me and shows up as each and every breath I take – that gentle cycle of inhale and exhale.

    I have discerned His will is for me to pursue mastery. To be masterful as a father, son, friend, organizational leader and servant, woodworker, colleague, and citizen, in my devotional practice and as a disciple of Christ.

    I have also discerned living in deep relationship with God also means living in deep relationship with his creation – this beautiful earth (erets).

    4 months ago
    1. Yram

      Your comments hit my core. Thanks for expressing!

      4 months ago
    2. Nannette

      What an amazing answer to this question. Thank you, Don for sharing your thoughts and your life. God Bless You.

      4 months ago
  4. Barb C

    Such a powerful question!

    I stand for kindness: To myself, to others, to the earth and everything that lives on it.

    I stand for justice: The recognition that we have had generations of injustice and deep, compounding harms that mean some people start out in a hole dug by official policies and actions and face a steeper climb than others. (For a graphic that illustrates equality, equity, and justice: https://x.com/BarbChamberlain/status/1436015637814398976?s=20)

    I stand for accountability: For recognition of my own privilege that I didn’t understand until I started unlearning and relearning, and for what I do with that privilege to make a difference. (A couple of my blog posts on privilege and bicycling: http://bikestylespokane.com/2023/06/19/riding-thoughts-privilege-is-a-tailwind/ and http://bikestylespokane.com/2016/11/19/personal-privilege-and-biking-it-takes-more-than-a-bike-lane-to-start-riding-2016-update/)

    I stand for mother love: For my daughters. my stepchildren, and for former stepchildren I’m still connected to, and for encouraging them to grow into themselves, not some version tied to what I think they should or shouldn’t be or become.

    I stand for love: My love for my husband, and every human being’s right to love who and how they love.

    I stand for friendship: For being someone who is there for hard times, not just fun times, and someone who nurtures friendships with time and attention.

    I stand for engagement and connection: In my neighborhood and community, in policy and politics, in philanthropy and volunteering, in the everyday connections I can foster by connecting people to other people, resources, and ideas.

    I stand for freedom: For the right to control our own bodies, for the right to be who we are in the world without fear.

    Fundamentally I stand for making the world a healthier and more equitable place for all: Both close to home and far away, I support with words, actions, and cash the people and organizations making a difference.

    Years ago I wrote a post about the 4-H pledge that relates to this question (https://biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com/2011/02/head-heart-hands-and-health.html).

    A six-word summary: Always doing work I believe in.

    I expect to keep pondering the question and may come back to edit or add in comments.

    4 months ago
    1. Ngoc Nguyen

      How beautiful sharing! I enjoy reading and grateful for your post.

      4 months ago
  5. A
    ActiveD5

    I stand for praising our Savior!

    4 months ago
  6. Mary Mantei

    Connectedness.

    4 months ago
  7. Charlie T

    Ideally, I stand for kindness, for justice,
    and for fairness.
    Maybe I stand for sitting down and
    contemplating, pushing myself towards
    change, being the first to apologize,
    the first to reach out.
    The reality is, that on a day to day basis,
    I stand for doing the best I can.

    4 months ago
    1. Joseph McCann

      Very refreshing Charlie T. Thank you.

      4 months ago
  8. Nannette

    I stand for fairness for animals…animals should be treated wuth kindness, love and respect….oh and yes aren’t we also animals? All living things should be treated with kindness. We as a species do not have the right to inflict harm or pain on another living entity.

    4 months ago
  9. Michele

    Peace, love, kindness, and HUMOR 🙂

    4 months ago
    1. Robin Ann

      yes we all need Humor- love it!!

      4 months ago
    2. Barb C

      It’s National Play Outside Day (first Saturday of every month) and National Fritters Day. I want to figure out how to put these two together! Maybe a bike ride to a donut shop.

      4 months ago
      1. Michele

        sounds like a perfect way to combine them 🙂

        4 months ago
  10. Pilgrim

    I stand for kindness, for listening well, for peace and for patience.

    4 months ago
  11. Ngoc Nguyen

    I stand for compassion but hesitance. I completely get a sense of happiness when I can help someone. However, I am usually hesitant of being hurt because of my open heart. Compassion and hesitance exist together set my mind being more complicated. I want to nurture my compassion but let go of hesitance so that my mind can truly enjoy my kindness.

    4 months ago
  12. Carol

    Today’s question (What do I stand for?) sent me on a trip down memory lane. I was reminded of all of dogma I was fed and told was truth. It was when I stopped fighting life and started letting life teach me that my concept of truth began to change. What I know for sure is that my job is willingness and that vulnerability is not weakness. I have found that this makes me teachable and nurtures my compassion for myself and others.

    4 months ago
  13. Joseph McCann

    Kindness. Equality. Love. Compassion. Along with a bit of humor.

    4 months ago
    1. Michele

      ahhh, LOL, great minds think alike! I always answer the question first then go back and read others 🙂

      4 months ago
      1. Joseph McCann

        Laughter is the best medicine I have heard!

        4 months ago
  14. EJP

    Truth, peace and love.

    4 months ago
  15. Butterfly

    Kindness, fairness and equality are three of the principles I live by.

    4 months ago
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