My colleague Lynn Ungar shared this poem on Facebook, noting “Here’s a poem for the solstice. Or the election. Or whatever.” My “whatever” is hope. Lynn’s website is at the bottom of the blog in case you want to look up more of her work. Born Again by Lynn Ungar, 12/20/16 Let’s be clear about … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Being Born Again
Those two words are sometimes what offers hope. No great parties, no brass bands and parades. Simply recover. Just over 10 years ago, I told my husband one night that I feared that if I didn’t stop drinking alcohol, I would die. Even with that fear, I couldn’t seem to stop. On the night before … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Simply Recover
#31daysofhope I too often forget that there are so many small moments that create something more like justice and love and peace in the world. Here’s a perfect example. I suspect many of us wouldn’t want to be out in crazy cold weather (I don’t live in Maine for a reason), and might think that … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Hope in Small Acts
Today’s post comes from Diane Harney, a member (recently) and friend of Tahoma UU Congregation who is also keeping this practice. Today she posted this photo and short reflection on Facebook: Hope is a verb. As a child, I remember following the hospital ship the USS Hope as it served as a peace-time hospital ship. … Continue reading Hart to Harts: “Hope is a Verb”
A friend posted a blog today that referred to the image on the right. “Buy Presents” is edited to “Be Present,” and so on. She suggested that in her life there’s a bit of Both/And. Do you know how a phrase can send you off down a rabbit hole of memory? Her post did that … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Hope from the Both/And
The window next to our dining table looks west to the Olympic Mountains. In the early morning, when the sky is clear and there is snow on the peaks, they emerge from the darkness in tones of deep blue and pink. Every time I see them while drinking my tea, my breath is taken away. … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: The Mountains
All this talk about hope can actually be a little depressing, I fear. I think that can happen especially when the world seems extra dark. And for some of us — me included, the world feels extra dark as we approach the solstice, now less than a week away. While Denise Levertov’s poem “Talking To … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Even if Hope Seems Far Away
I was introduced to Wendell Berry’s work when preparing for a wedding early in my ministry. The couple included his poem “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” in their service, and then gave me a copy of his collected works. These few lines have offered me hope more times than I can count: Expect the … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Hope in Laughter
William Carlos Williams points us toward the sights that surround us and the refreshment that we can find there. Hope is all around if we look for it. APPROACH TO A CITY Getting through with the world- I never tire of the mystery of these streets: the three baskets of dried flowers in the high … Continue reading Hart to Hearts: Hope in the Small Holiness of Braver Things
#31daysofhope Words from Carter Heyward that remind me of what is essential. Christmas Beatitudes 2016 By Carter Heyward Blessed are those who are kind, especially when it’s hard Blessed are those angry for justice in situations of unfairness and oppression, Blessed are the compassionate in times of hatred, Blessed are those who speak honestly when … Continue reading Hart to Heart: Beatitudes for Our Time
