The DAILY SPARK Blog

WHAT IF??????

Mosaics in the Upper Churcg of the Basilica of the National Shrine of The Immaculate Conception, Washington DC

What if this darkness is not the darkness of the tomb, but the darkness of the womb? What if our America is not dead but a country that is waiting to be born? What if the story of America is one long labor? What if all of our grandfathers and grandmothers are standing behind now, those who survived occupation and genocide, slavery and Jim Crow, detentions and political assault? What if they are whispering in our ears “You are brave”? What if this is our nation’s greatest transition?

What does the midwife tell us to do?  Breathe. And then? Push.  Because if we don’t push we will die.  If we don’t push our nation will die.  Tonight we will breathe.  Tomorrow we will labor in love through love and your revolutionary love is the magic we will show our children. 

Source:  A speech give by Valerie Kaur at an Interfaith Watch Night Service.

To watch the whole speech, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ7QlKG70LE&feature=emb_title

REFLECTION:

  • At this historic time, just reflect on this quote.  What does it mean to you?

  • What  if you (we)  are in a time of birthing?  How can you “breathe and push?”

A NEW VIEW

I was astonished when I began to appreciate my defeats, downturns and disappointments.  As I began to perceive my misfortunes in a brighter light, I had to admit that “good” and “bad” events were getting harder and harder to tell apart.  Lately, it seems that bad things are merely those which I’m not yet prepared to handle effectively – and it also seems that they present themselves in order to help me increase my competence.

From:  A Little Book of Forgiveness by D. Patrick Miller

REFLECTION:

  • Looking back, is there a “bad” thing that occurred that resulted in a new and amazing life change for you?  Write about it.  

  • What is a “bad” thing that is happening now that you can see differently.  Write about it.

Read more about the article BEYOND RIGHT AND WRONG

BEYOND RIGHT AND WRONG

Out beyond right and wrong, there is a place.  I’ll meet you there.

RUMI

REFLECTION:

Think of a situation where you believe you are ‘right’ and the other person is ‘wrong’.  What would meeting them in a new place – “beyond right and wrong” look like? Write about it.