Life is not usually a straight line. Sometimes there is sunshine, and sometimes there is rain.

I find it comforting to always remember that the sun comes up every morning, whether we can possibly believe that it wants to or not.

Usually, our fears feel more real than the reality we live in. We are still breathing. We still have friends. We still have people who love us and whom we love back, even during the most difficult times of loss.

We will discuss how our fears are driven by attachment to specific outcomes; but, as the Budda has said, attachment is the cause of all suffering.

We will talk about how Hope is a wonderful thing; but hope without action is just another wish that didn’t come true.

Each of us has gifts that are uniquely ours to share with the world. These gifts can guide us to our larger purpose in this lifetime. When we don’t uncover, identify, develop or even value our gifts, we are short-changing not only ourselves but the whole of earth. Discovering and giving these gifts can change not only our lives, but the lives of those around us.

All of us know that we will die someday, but most of us tend to live as if we have no immediate awareness of this. How would our lives change: What would we make time for? Who would we spend time with? How would we conduct our days if we truly lived as if they were limited? Let’s explore how life could become more meaningful by simply acknowledging the fact that we are all here for only a short while.

Identifying the things, the people the ideas and habits we truly value helps us to know how to live our lives fully and skillfully. AND, we all love the animals who bless our lives in myriad ways, so it’s fitting that this Sunday is Pet Blessing Sunday!

This is a question we rarely ask ourselves, and may seem obvious on the surface. But knowing—realizing—our true nature can help us to live with more integrity and the courage of our convictions. Seeing clearly some of the false things idols which our ego tries to form its identity helps us to let go of that which does not serve us. All this adds up to a life of freedom and authenticity.

My mentor and spiritual teacher Chris Chenowith used to say that a true test of the spiritual life is how you handle a delayed flight or a flat tire. In other words, how we comport ourselves not when things are going well, but when we are challenged. The world today seems to be challenging us in ways unprecedented in our lifetimes. How do we respond to the human world with spiritual wisdom? (hint: It’s an inside job)

Rev. Melinda and your team of dedicated prayer partners will bring a special *Taize-style service of prayer, silence, inspirational readings and music to fill our tanks with prayer. We come together in this way to BE—as a community—a prayerful presence in the world, helping us to realize our vision of humanity’s awakening to the truth of who we really are: One love, one light, one life—living through each of us. *The Taize community was established in 1940 as a refuge for Jews fleeing Nazi occupation. It uses chanting and silence to promote reconciliation between divided faiths.

There is disagreement (debate?) among spiritual teachers whether anger has a place on the spiritual path. Some consider it a positive motivating factor. Some say that the ultimate goal is to get rid of anger altogether. I take a more practical approach. Anger, desirable or not, seems to be a fact for most of us. So when we come face to face with our own anger what do we do with that. When we find ourselves here—where do we go from here?