“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 your life for whimsy, invention, sensory pleasure, and play. Most of all, you have to learn how to follow your curiosity more than your fear.”

Elizabeth Gilbert

“’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 person also suffers. They have their difficulties, their fears, and their worries, too. If we could only see the pain within them, we would begin to understand them. Once understanding is present, compassion becomes possible.”

From Peace Is This Moment by Thich Nhat Hanh

Midsummer Day

“Such a day it was as – looking back –
imbues a whole Summer’s memories with warmth
and places a gold overlay on all grey.
Larks lifted at my feet
and climbed, cascading sound, to vanishing point
in faded denim skies.
Foals like glossy chestnuts newly split
lay fallen in their mothers’ shadows
and lizards flickered the furze through.

At length the river valley wound below for respite,
where moorland cattle, unkempt in dark brown habits,
bowed their heads around a granite cross
and grazed by beneficial waters.
Nor moved when I approached, but by their gaze
defied me not to join their worship there.”

Richard Lovis, Unitarian lay leader, quoted in Fragments of Holiness for Daily Reflection

“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.”

From Hour of Gold, Hour of Lead: Diaries and Letters of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, writer and aviator (1906 – 2001), born on this day

Artwork: A Weeping Woman by Rembrandt

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 to serve that vision. As with any climax, this is a turning point. Things will be different now. What we distil from the year’s culmination will enrich our spirits and affect our future creative direction.”

From The Hedge Witch’s Way by Rae Beth

World Refugee Day

“The Moon rises above the surrounding, shiny stars
Not to compete with the Sun
But to allow it to rest.
Your face can feel droplets of rain
Not falling from the sky just for you
But to refresh the earth’s flower petals.
The river moves and is constant
Not to make a noise or shake the pebbles underneath
But to travel far and reach the sea.
The birds sing in Spring
Not for one to listen in admiration
But to sing freely and unleash their feelings.
Clouds move closer together
Hold tight, accumulate in masses
Not to survive,
But in changing to rain
To disappear
And complete their job.
Bees fly between flowers
Choosing them with precision, meticulously
To make the best honey they can.
As humans,
Are we doing the best we can?”

Liminality by Haydeh Ravesh, member of Write to Life, longest-running refugee writing group in Britain.

“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 (1623 – 1662), born on this day