Author Archives: Laura Dobson

“Doubt can serve you well, if you train it. It must become a way of knowing, a good critic. Every time doubt wants to spoil something for you, ask why it finds something ugly and demand proofs. Thus tested by you, doubt may become bewildered and embarrassed, even aggressive. But don’t give in, demand reasonsContinue reading “Thought for the day, Monday 4th November”

“I have seen the sun break throughto illuminate a small fieldfor a while, and gone my wayand forgotten it. But that was thepearl of great price, the one field that hadtreasure in it. I realise nowthat I must give all that I haveto possess it. Life is not hurryingon to a receding future, nor hankeringContinue reading “Thought for the day, Sunday 3rd November”

All Souls’ Day “Nothing you love is lost. Not really. Things, people—they always go away, sooner or later. You can’t hold them, any more than you can hold moonlight. But if they’ve touched you, if they’re inside you, then they’re still yours. The only things you ever really have are the ones you hold insideContinue reading “Thought for the day, Saturday 2nd November”

Festival of Diwali “Om Jai LakshmiGoddess born from the struggle between good and evilGuide us toward the light.In a world where plenty is possible,Let us end hunger, thirst and homelessness.In your nurturing hands,Let us seek refuge from want, fear and violence.With your grace,Let our world be reborn in your image,Where all needs are met,Where moralityContinue reading “Thought for the day, Friday 1st November”

Samhain “In the season leaves should love,since it gives them leave to movethrough the wind, towards the groundthey were watching while they hung,legend says there is a seamstitching darkness like a name. Now when dying grasses veilearth from the sky in one last palewave, as autumn dies to bringwinter back, and then the spring,we whoContinue reading “Thought for the day, Thursday 31st October”

“What you encounter, recognize or discover depends to a large degree on the quality of your approach. Many of the ancient cultures practised careful rituals of approach. An encounter of depth and spirit was preceded by careful preparation. When we approach with reverence, great things decide to approach us. Our real life comes to theContinue reading “Thought for the day, Wednesday 30th October”

“Eternity can be touched in this present moment, and the cosmos can be seen in the palm of our hand. But we need some mindfulness and concentration to do this. When you practice mindful walking or stretching, you can touch eternity with every movement. If you’re truly mindful, if you’re truly concentrated, if you canContinue reading “Thought for the day, Tuesday 29th October”

“”Did you hear what the fish said,Floundering among the reeds?Nature’s wiser than learning.” Fourteenth century Welsh verse In the Celtic and world folk traditions, reminders of this important fact emerge time and time again in stories that tell of speaking animals. All young heroes and heroines who are sent out on the road of adventureContinue reading “Thought for the day, Monday 28th October”

“Look, with love and faith, not turning sour and cold and bitter, to help others. That is salvation. To give of love inside. To keep love of life, no matter what, and give to others. Generously.” Sylvia Plath (1932 – 1963), poet, novelist and Unitarian, born on this day

“Let me seek then,the gift of silence,and poverty and solitude,where everything I touchis turned into prayer.Where the sky is my prayer,the birds are my prayer,the wind in the trees is my prayer,for God is in all.” Thomas Merton (1915 – 1968)