“We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.” from UUA Shared Values
Friends,
In these whirlwind times, when the world around us seems to shift and change daily, when basic human dignity and worthiness are under assault, I often find myself in search of a solid place to ground my spirit. It can be easy to get drawn into outrage or become overwhelmed by the enormity of it all; neither of which is particularly useful.
When I take the time to connect with the sources of my Unitarian Universalist faith, it helps me to feel rooted in the life affirming values that have sustained our faith tradition over the centuries. When I feel lost and uncertain of what action to take or where I can best be of service, sometimes all I can do is to ground myself in love and compassion. It’s as a favorite hymn says: “Love will guide us.”
Love is at the center of our shared values. I don’t know about you, but I believe that being a loving presence in the world is no small thing. Whether it is showing up in protest, providing protection and assistance to those in need, or quietly listening to another person’s story, when love shows up, the world can’t help but be changed. Maybe not overnight, or in a week or even a year, but with a persistent practice of love and compassion, another world is possible.
My prayer in this time is that we know our own inherent worthiness, that we move through the world with dignity, and that we ground ourselves in love and compassion. May we be an ever abiding presence of love in the world.
Yours in shared ministry,
Rev. Diane
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