If I had my child to raise all over again -
I’d finger paint more and point the finger less;
I’d do less correcting and more connecting;
I’d take my eyes off the watch and watch with my eyes;
I would care to know less and know more to care;
I’d take more kikes and fly more kites;
I’d stop playing serious and seriously play;
I’d run through more fields and gaze at more stars;
I’d do more hugging and less tugging;
I’d be firm less often and affirm much more;
I’d build self-esteem first and the house later;
I’d teach less about the love of power,
and more about the power of love.

Diane Looman – Full Esteem Ahead

Indeed the Editor of the Inquirer, Colleen Burns, had this letter published in the Guardian:-

The ‘Church without believers’ (Report, 4 February) looks like an excellent effort to create community around spiritual ideas. it’s very like what goes on in Unitarian churches every Sunday.
Many Unitarians are atheists, and we are each on our own individual path – which may or may not involve belief in God.
Anyone intrigued by the Assembly in London may want to consider searching out their local Unitarian community.

Are we ready for the influx, folks?!

A reaffirmation of my belief that my life is a gift not a burden;

A recommitment to the principle of human brotherhood and sisterhood;

A determination not to take more than my fair share of the world’s goods and resources;

A resolution not to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task

A determination to bear in mind these words of the American poet Miller Williams: Have compassion for everyone you meet, even if they don’t want it. What appears as bad manners, an ill temper or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You do not know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets the bone.

Each seeking faith is seeking light, and light dawns on our seeking
When clashing tongues combine to pray that light will shine,
And guide and gather all on earth in peaceful greeting.

Each seeking faith is seeking truth, for truth is lived by seeking;
And though our faiths conflict, no dogma can restrict
The power of truth set free on earth in honest meeting.

Each loving faith is seeking peace, and peace is made by seeking
To spin the strands of trust in patterns free and just,
Till every family on earth is in safe keeping.

Each living faith is seeking life, and life flows through our seeking
To treasure, feel, and show the heart of what we know:
In every faith the Light, the Life, is shining, speaking.

It is a cry from the lives of people battered by thoughtless words and brutal deeds;
It comes from the lips of those who speak them,
And the lives of those who do them.

Who of us can look inside another and know what is there
Of hope and hurt, of promise and pain?
Who can know from what far places each has come
Or to what far places each may hope to go?

Our lives are like fragile eggs.
They crack and the substance escapes.
Handle with care!
Handle with exceedingly tender care;
For there are human beings within –
Human beings as vulnerable as you are,
Who feel as you feel,
Who hurt as you hurt.

Life is too transient to be cruel with one another;
It is too short for thoughtlessness,
Too brief for hurting.
Life is long enough for caring,
Lasting enough for sharing,
Precious enough for love.

Be gentle with one another.

Richard Gilbert

The supreme good is like water,

which nourishes all things without trying to.

It is content with the low places that people disdain.

Thus it is like the Tao.

In dwelling, live close to the ground.

In thinking, keep close to the simple.

In conflict, be fair and generous.

In governing, don’t try to control.

In work, do what you enjoy.

In family life, be completely present.

When you are content to be simply yourself,

and don’t compare or compete,

everybody will respect you.