Author Archives: veerjih

“Creativity does not belong exclusively to professional artists and geniuses; it is the birthright of every single human being. Creativity is our common heritage. You don’t need to quit your job and move to Paris in order to lay claim to this heritage – all you have to do is clear some space in yourContinue reading “Thought for the day, Saturday 28th June”

“’What I believe’ is a process rather than a finality. Finalities are for gods and governments, not for the human intellect.” Emma Goldman (1869 – 1940), anarchist publisher, born on this day

“Exclusion is always dangerous. Inclusion is the only safety if we are to have a peaceful world.” Pearl S. Buck (1892 – 1973) , novelist, humanitarian and social activist, born on this day

“Understanding is the substance out of which we fabricate compassion. What kind of understanding am I talking about? It’s the understanding that the other person suffers, too. When we suffer, we tend to believe that we’re the victims of other people, that we’re the only ones who suffer. That isn’t true – the other personContinue reading “Thought for the day, Wednesday 25th June”

Midsummer Day “Such a day it was as – looking back –imbues a whole Summer’s memories with warmthand places a gold overlay on all grey.Larks lifted at my feetand climbed, cascading sound, to vanishing pointin faded denim skies.Foals like glossy chestnuts newly splitlay fallen in their mothers’ shadowsand lizards flickered the furze through. At lengthContinue reading “Thought for the day, Tuesday 24th June”

“Make a new start every day, with new resolution, with enthusiasm and love, prayer and silence.” St. Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia (1906 – 1991)

“I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable. All these and other factors combined, if the circumstances are right, can teach and can lead to rebirth.”Continue reading “Thought for the day, Sunday 22nd June”

Summer Solstice “The time has come to live fully. At the summer solstice (as at any high point of life, any peak of fulfilment) we can be changed by the experience of joyfulness, by the land’s loveliness or by a healing vision of how harmony could be restored to all beings – and decide toContinue reading “Thought for the day, Saturday 21st June”

World Refugee Day “The Moon rises above the surrounding, shiny starsNot to compete with the SunBut to allow it to rest.Your face can feel droplets of rainNot falling from the sky just for youBut to refresh the earth’s flower petals.The river moves and is constantNot to make a noise or shake the pebbles underneathBut toContinue reading “Thought for the day, Friday 20th June”

“In speaking of human things, we say that it is necessary to know them before we can love them…the saints on the contrary say in speaking of divine things that it is necessary to love them in order to know them, and that we only enter truth through charity.” Blaise Pascal, scientist and philosopher (1623Continue reading “Thought for the day, Thursday 19th June”