Author Archives: Laura Dobson

“The grass does not refuse toflourish in the spring wind.The leaves are not angry atfalling through the autumn sky.Who, with whip or spur.can quicken the feet of time?The things of this worldflourish and decay,each at their own hour.” Li Bai, 8th century CE, China

“We have flown the air like birds and swim the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers.” Martin Luther King Jr, assassinated on this day in 1968

The Old Wisdom by environmentalist Jane Goodall, born on this day in 1934, “When the night wind makes the pine trees creakAnd the pale clouds glide across the dark sky,Go out my child, go out and seekYour soul: The Eternal I. For all the grasses rustling at your feetAnd every flaming star that glitters highAboveContinue reading “Thought for the day, Sunday 3rd April”

“When one becomes worthy to hear the song of plants, how each plant speaks its song to God, how beautiful and sweet it is to hear the singing!It is good indeed to serve God in the middle of them all, wandering alone over the fields between growing things.All the speech of the fields then entersContinue reading “Thought for the day, Saturday 2nd April”

“Today we are faced with a challenge that calls for a shift in our thinking, so that humanity stops threatening its life-support system. We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own – indeed to embrace the whole of creation in all its diversity, beauty andContinue reading “Thought for the day, Friday 1st April”

“One moment I saw a river flowing gently.The next, all bridges washed away.One moment I saw a bush flowering.The next I saw no rose or thorn – just branches.One moment I saw a cooking fire blazing.The next just ashes, no fire or smoke.Pleasures spread like poppies.You seize the flower, the blossom drops.We are like snowContinue reading “Thought for the day, Thursday 31st March”

From The Celtic Spirit: Daily Meditations for the Turning Year by Caitlin Matthews, “Birds and other animals begin to choose their mates as the growing year burgeons strongly in the strengthening sunlight. The green fire that runs all over the earth is sparked by this very sunlight and the deep germinating power of the earth.Continue reading “Thought for the day, Wednesday 30th March”

Mettika from the Therigatha (Songs of the Nuns), poems composed by early female followers of the Buddha, “Though I am weak and tired now,And my youthful step long gone,Leaning on this staff,I climb the mountain peak.My cloak cast off, my bowl overturned,I sit here on this rock.And over my spirit blowsThe breathOf liberty.”

Psalm for Body Beginnings by Celeste Snowber, “Each day the petalsunfold their face to the skyan act of surrenderopen hearted to breathefor a new dayAwait each breath as if it was pristineyour lungs living in the glory ofinhabiting air for the first timeeverything is old todayeverything is new todayall your issues remainfamily, finances, relationships, workContinue reading “Thought for the day, Monday 28th March”

“Want what you have. Do what you can. Be who you are.” UU Minister Forrest Church (1948 – 2009)