Quote – Page 17 – Keeping the Faith

“We can look upon the face of anyone or anything around us and say- as a moral declaration and a spiritual, cosmological, and biological fact: You are a part of me I do not yet know.” -Valarie Kaur

This weekend my family played “Reverse Charades” while indoors due to the wildfires. We also enjoyed late afternoon hikes once the air quality improved, thanks to the end of day breeze from the ocean. We enjoyed superhero movies on “Marvel Mondays” during the summer; I had planned to discontinue this practice due to the screenContinue reading ““We can look upon the face of anyone or anything around us and say- as a moral declaration and a spiritual, cosmological, and biological fact: You are a part of me I do not yet know.” -Valarie Kaur”

This week’s protests by professional athletes have drawn even greater attention to the urgent need for reform in support of racial equity. The African American community in the United States deserves better. Their experience of daily life is an unjust one that demands change. And so I was proud of all my favorite teams- hereContinue reading ““I need y’all to do more than just hear me right now. I need y’all to FEEL me.” -Renee Montgomery”

These words provide me with a welcome source of inspiration today. I have found much of this week’s national political dialogue to be toxic. We are stuck indoors due to the poor air quality from the California wildfires, while my colleagues in the New Orleans area brace for potential hurricane impacts. In Milwaukee, Jacob BlakeContinue reading “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger. Something better, pushing right back! -Albert Camus”

Today is the first day of school for my kids. Their chromebooks are set-up and I installed a wi-fi extender at home so that my internet could withstand the numerous daily Zooms. The sense of loss of the in-person experience is offset by the excitement my children have of seeing their friends on their screens.Continue reading ““Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” -Maya Angelou”

I read this passage on a card I received in the mail yesterday. I was struck by how rewarding it was to open a written correspondence. The card was sent to me by a colleague in Washington, DC, and it also felt nice to receive good news from our nation’s capital…for the first time inContinue reading ““Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13″

When I initially read this article on preparing for increasing stress levels, I thought it may be a resource as schools continue to re-open in varying ways; the stressful impact of Covid upon the continually changing educational landscape cannot be overstated. Then yesterday afternoon I learned of wildfires now burning through several surrounding counties nearbyContinue reading ““We are in a moment of extreme vulnerability when life and death hold hands.” Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur”

“No wonder those words have weathered the centuries so well; no wonder they are still music to our ears. They assure us that those who please God are not those who can carry the heaviest loads but those who are willing to share their loads, who are willing to share their yokes by entering intoContinue reading ““Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.””

Yesterday was an odd day that began with a coyote lunging at my dog on our morning walk, and concluded with several hours of playing guitar with my neighbors. We played songs by Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Van Morrison, artists from another time who held lofty ideals about community and society. My dog isContinue reading “The measure of wealth in a civilized nation is not the currency accumulated by the lucky few, but rather the strength and resonance of social relations and the bonds of reciprocity that connect all people in common purpose- Wade Davis”

Last week I was involved in meetings with a group of Brothers and with my children’s school, both of which discussed the importance of connectedness amidst virtual community. The loss of in-person community is real, yet we also have an opportunity to leverage our common mission to overcome the inherent obstacles of being physically separated.Continue reading “Empathy is the social glue that holds a civilized society together. Empathy lays the core for helping kids live one truth: we are ALL humans who share the same fears and concerns, and deserve to be treated with dignity. -Dr. Michele Borba”

Last night, 85 parents from my children’s school gathered via Zoom. Our virtual meeting provided the time and space for us to reconnect as parents and as a community of support. Concern, anxiety and questions were all present, as were laughter, compassion and appreciation for our school and its teachers. This experience of community, andContinue reading “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. – Author Margaret Meade”