What makes you tick?

Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition which is shared drawing from many sources, six of which are articulated. The first source is the "direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life." That's quite a statement which one can get lost in and confused by but simply means what is your experience of your experience? Reflect on it and you can learn a lot and it can bring you peace.

Ask most people, "What makes you tick," they can't tell you. They look at you annoyed, confused, and perhaps intrigued.

Socrates said that an unexamined life is not worth living. How many people do you know live examined lives? Do you?

We are so focused on the external world we rarely explore our inner kingdom. It is vast, mysterious, at first frightening, and then glorious.

Freud taught us that we have two minds: the conscious and the unconscious. The unconscious mind is revealed somewhat in dreams, in slips of the tongue, in acting out. Freud said that we can either talk it out or act it out. Children act it out, but as their vocabulary and self awareness increases they are able to talk it out. Talking it out is usually perceived as a sign of maturity.

Jesus told us that the kingdom of God is within and among us. If we are to grow spiritually, we need to explore that kingdom. Traditionally, this was called "contemplation". Some prefer the term "reflection."

Do you take time throughout the day to reflect on your experience? In educational pedagogical theory this is also called "meta cognition" which simply means thinking about what you think. What condition is your condition in?

Ask yourself "Why do I think what I think," Why do I feel what I feel," Why do I behave the way I behave," "What is the level of understanding that I have of what makes me tick?"

Suggested Spiritual practice of the day #3 Three Good Things

Before bedtime think in your mind of three good things that happened to you that day. They may be big things or little things. Things at the time you knew were good or only recognized during your review. You will find you go to sleep with a positive, peaceful frame of mind and feel more grateful for the great mystery of your life.

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In case you were wondering.....

Question of the day

Much has been made of hospitality as a means of engaging people into UU congregations. Hospitality involves graciousness. When is the last time you acted graciously?

Prophetic voices and events Dr. Lynn Weaver

Dr. Lynn Weaver was part of a small group of black teens who integrated an all-white high school in Tennessee in 1964. He remembers what it was like to play on the school's football team — and the racism he faced on, and off, the field.




Editor's note:

We would like to think that after 54 years we have come a long way in the United States in race relations and bigotry until you consider what's going on with the kneeling during the National Anthem with players like Colin Kaepernick.

White supremacy, which is a part of Trumpism, shows its ugly head still in 2017 when President Donald Trump calls upon the NFL to fire such players who are protesting the police brutality towards African Amerians.

The courageous NFL players deserve our respect and support and yet they are celebrities. We should not forget the every day people, who over the years at great personal risk up to and including death, advocated for equality, justice, and compassion such as Dr. Lynn Weaver and his dad.

We're on a mission from God

One of the goals of UUAWOL in 2018 is the formation of a Unitarian Univeralist mission society. Whether we realize it or not we all are on a mission from God. Unfortunately, up until now, very few of us have accepted it. Some have deliberately avoided it or refused it. However, it is time for us not to just recognize and acknowledge the gift of faith we have been given but to extend it. You can start today, right where you are, with the people you encounter today. Be kind. Look for the divine spark in each person you encounter and focus on it. That focus will call you to act positively in some way with that person and you will know that you are doing your part regardless of the effect it seems to have on the other person.

The Blues Brothers, played by Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi, said, in their antics and shenanigans, they were on a "mission from God." It was self denigrating humor  designed to make us laugh. However, part of its charm, and resonance with the audience, is that it is true. They were on a mission from God. We all are.

We are here to lift each other up. We are here to help each other raise our level of consciousness to what can be called "Christ consciousness." "Christ consciousness" is another term for enlightenment. It is when everybody loves everybody all the time.

We are here to to learn that we are part of the All and to help others learn this as well. This awareness is a matter of our spirit not our bodies or even our minds.

We all, not just the Blues Brothers, are on a mission from God.

As  the tag line from Mission Impossible said, "Your mission, Mr. Phelps, should you chose to accept it, is to..........." The question being posed is "do you accept the mission to raise your and your brother and sister's consciousnesses?"

 

Suggested spiritual practice of the day #2

Say a prayer upon awakening thanking the Universe (God) for another day and ask to be given the awareness to do God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.

Do this every day. After a while it will become a natural part of your daily routine and you will create a joy and peace in your life that is immeasurable.