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“One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.” Simone de Beauvoir, feminist writer, who died on this day in 1986

“Constancy, perseverance, and questioning are the three requisites of the spiritual life. Constancy to our self-respect, to our spiritual quest, and to any true teachers whom we meet will encourage and support our progress. Perseverance in prayer, meditation, and the implementation of spiritual practices will maintain our quest; and if certain of those practices areContinue reading “Thought for the day, Thursday 13th April”

“It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I cannot afford the luxury of a closed mind… The door that nobody else will go in at, seems always to swing open widely for me.” Clara Barton, Universalist founder of the American Red Cross, who diedContinue reading “Thought for the day, Wednesday 12th April”

“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.” Kurt Vonnegut, Unitarian Universalist writer, who died onContinue reading “Thought for the day, Tuesday 11th April”

“Let everything happen to you, beauty and terror.Only press on: no feeling is final.Don’t let yourself be cut off from me.Nearby is that countryknown as Life.You will recognise itby its seriousness.Give me your hand.” Rainer Maria Rilke

“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”