Author Archives: Laura Dobson

“This is what the philosopher and the poet share in common: both are concerned with the marvellous. Amazement is the beginning of philosophy. Wonder is a kind of desire in knowing. It is the cause of delight because it carries with it the hope of discovery.” Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274)

“After Jesus is dead his followers do not realize that they are waiting. After all, what else is there to wait for? Everything is over. Perhaps they feel that they are waiting for their own pain to diminish, their own sense of loss and bereavement to become bearable. Only time can do that, but theContinue reading “Thought for the day, Saturday 8th April”

“Life is divided into three terms – that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present, to live better in the future.” William Wordsworth, born on this day in 1770

“You kneel before meYou remove my shoes and I am exposedMy feet are grimyfull of calluses and crackspungent with sweat and toe jamI’m embarrassed by themI pull back but you reassureYou’re not offendedI feel welcome in your handsvulnerable, yet safeThe cleansing beginsI see your reflection in the ripplesI see me, tooYour water brings truth andContinue reading “Thought for the day, Thursday 6th April”

International Day of Conscience “I do not pretend to understand the moral universe, the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways. I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. But from what I see I am sure it bendsContinue reading “Thought for the day, Wednesday 5th April”

“I have learned to live each day as it comes, and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow.” Dorothea Dix, Unitarian social reformer, born on this day in 1802

“You can’t solve the world’s problems, so don’t try. Instead, focus on what you can do each day to leave this place a little better than you found it.” Jane Goodall, born on this day in 1934 – happy birthday Jane!

“Music is one of the closest link-ups with God that we can probably experience. I think it’s a common vibrating tone of the musical notes that holds all life together.” Marvin Gaye, born on this day in 1939

““What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.” Yiddish Proverb “Dear washers-up: Please rinse the teapots and then stand upside down in the sink.” Notice in the kitchen of Unitarian New Meeting, Birmingham” From Fragments of Holiness for Daily Reflection, edited by Catherine Robinson

“To learn the scriptures is easy,to live them, hard.The search for the Realis no simple matter.Deep in my looking,the last words vanished.Joyous and silent,the waking that met me there.” Lalla Ded (1320 – 1392), Kashmiri poet and mystic