Have you considered that in these unprecedented you may not be operating at full capacity? How then do you measure success? For insights on growing in the midst of crisis, I sought the counsel of Howard Thurman’s “I Want to Be Better.”
Today, we remember those who mourn. I pay tribute to my pastor and civil rights icon, Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. I draw inspiration in a time of grief from his homily, “From Ceremony to Sacrament.” Peace for the journey.
An overwhelmed student shared that in this frenzy, he could find no firm ground to stand. I reminded him of Howard Thurman's "Inward Sea." All that we need God has placed within us. Peace for the journey.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu's "The African Prayer Book" offers soul-stirring prayers from across the continent. From this collection, I have chosen a morning, mid-day, and evening prayer to guide us through this week. May the peace of the Eternal be in your every step.
By now you and your loved ones may have cabin fever. On this day, I invite you to see and hear the world around you in new and exciting ways. Contemplate with me on Thurman’s devotion, “There is Magic All Around Us.”
Today we reflect on children and parents who are challenged to develop new routines of learning. What will the children in your life see in you and hear in your voice? For wisdom, I turn to a favorite poem of mine from Mari Evans entitled, “Let Us Be That Something.”
John Mark Comer suggests, "the solution to an overbusy life is not more time." How will you use the time gifted to us in this unique moment in history?
In periods of frenzy, I turn to the living wisdom of Howard Washington Thurman. I pray that you find this reading of "How Good to Center Down" as solace in this storm.
After a ground-shifting session with Bro. Rabbi, I exited the church and was greeted by the newness of a June afternoon. I breathed in hope (and despair), when I exhaled these ancient words came to me in less than a minute. For the next 90 minutes, I repeated these eight sentences prayerfully and felt my tensions ease…
Know this.
I am with you.
God is with you.
I am with me.
God is with me.
God is in us.
God is near.
Know this.
Don’t compromise dignity in love & care
Unconditional self-compassion
Offer grace and receive grace
Love without expectation
Forgive: self & others
from “My Working Paper: Beyond the Mule’s Path,” Gregory C. Ellison II, Ph. D. (Pastoral Psychology, 2020)
from “My Working Paper: Beyond the Mule’s Path,” Gregory C. Ellison II, Ph. D. (Pastoral Psychology, 2020)
Unforgiveness is an ember. You may not see a flame, but its gases pollute your inner life. Snuff it before the wildfire catches. The Wisdom of Ms. Elesa
The wisdom of Elesa Commerse
May 2019