Braver/Wiser: Courage and Compassion for Life as It Is

Life is full of hard edges and complicated choices. Braver/Wiser gives you weekly message of courage and compassion for life as it is. Every Wednesday we deliver an original written reflection and brief prayer, grounded in Unitarian Universalism. Join the Braver/Wiser community and sign up today!

Displaying 51 - 100 of 322

  • I’m proud to belong to a living religious tradition that embraces evolution, both scientifically and spiritually.
    Reflection | By Tim Atkins | January 4, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Beginnings, New Year, Spiritual Practice, Worship
  • If love is a law, how may I follow it with more faithfulness?
    Reflection | By Joanna Fontaine Crawford | December 21, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Arts & Music, Christianity, Conscience, God, Justice, Worship
  • Every time we open ourselves to one another, we become more human.
    Reflection | By Tania Márquez | December 14, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Children, Christianity, Community, Generations, Inclusion, International, Race/Ethnicity, Worship
  • Advent encourages us to be present in each moment of waiting.
    Reflection | By Megan Lloyd Joiner | December 7, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Advent, Christianity, Contemplation, Patience, Presence, Sacred, Worship
  • Queer joy is resistance.
    Reflection | By cristy cardinal | November 23, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #LoveResists, #Pride, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Activism, Anti-Oppression, Community, Direct Experience, Humanism, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Little changes can snowball into massive impacts.
    Reflection | By JD Stillwater | November 16, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Choice, Gratitude, Imagination, Wonder, Worship
  • Of all the things "faith" can mean, to me it means believing in us.
    Reflection | By Erika Hewitt | November 9, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Choice, Democracy, Living Our Faith, Power, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Love is reaching through the generations with expectations that I live through challenging times.
    Reflection | By Melissa Jeter | November 2, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Direct Experience, Earth, Fall, Family, Generations, Healing, Love, Presence, Worship
  • How much notice would I want ahead of time before I die?
    Reflection | By Karen G. Johnston | October 26, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Choice, Death, Ending, Psychology, Secular, Spiritual Practice, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Witnessing the lifecycle of a monarch butterfly has made me a better chaplain.
    Reflection | By Laura Shay | October 19, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Worship
  • My vet said, “She's telling you thank you for letting her go.”
    Reflection | By Ndidi Achebe | October 12, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Animal Memorial, Animals, Death, Direct Experience, Grief, Letting Go, Love, Secular, Worship
  • Dying is scary, but we are brave, and we can talk about it together.
    Reflection | By Meg Barnhouse | October 5, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Death, Family, Limitations, Meaning, Worship
  • I wasn’t really “born this way.” I grew this way.
    Reflection | By Heather McDuffee | September 28, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #Pride, Choice, Coming Out, Friendship, God, Identity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Marriage, National Coming Out Day, Transformation, Trust, Worship
  • We don’t need to understand why someone sets a boundary to respect it.
    Reflection | By Shaya French | September 21, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Friendship, Interdependence, Limitations, Relationships, Stewardship, Worship
  • I rise on the shoulders of ancestors whose names I can not know.
    Reflection | By Glen Thomas Rideout | September 14, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #8thPrinciple, #BlackHistoryMonth, #BlackLivesMatter, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), America, Anti-Oppression, Black History / Whitney Young / James Reeb, Direct Experience, Family, Generations, History, Oppression, Race/Ethnicity, Secular, Self-Respect, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • It's my actions and choices that determine my connection to others.
    Reflection | By Priscilla Shumway | September 7, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Spiritual Practice, Worship
  • There is no such thing as unskilled labor.
    Reflection | By Sarah Skochko | August 31, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), America, Compassion, Dignity, Human Rights, Humanism, Labor Day, Secular, Work, Worship
  • We must choose each other again and again, though conflict and through plenty.
    Reflection | By Abbey Tennis | June 29, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Conflict, Discernment, Love, Reconciliation, Relationships, Worship
  • We have to keep finding ways to widen the circle of care and concern.
    Reflection | By JeKaren Olaoya | June 22, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Anti-Oppression, Hospitality, Identity, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • We have a holy obligation to bring about paradise on this earth; each generation helps us do that.
    Reflection | By Nathan Ryan | June 15, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Children, Father's Day, Fathers, Generations, Hope, Mothers, Parents, Purpose, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • To be queer is to know the ways of holding all that shimmers to the light.
    Reflection | By Laura Solomon | June 8, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Acceptance, Anti-Oppression, Humanism, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • We are an angry and beautiful people.
    Reflection | By Laura Solomon | June 1, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Brokenness, Connections, Direct Experience, Disaster or Crisis, Fear, Humanism, Love, Suffering, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Growing connects me to ancestors who had their hands in the dirt because it was keeping them alive.
    Reflection | By Melissa Jeter | May 25, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Abundance, Earth, Earth-Centered, Family, Food, Food Justice, Generations, Growth, Humanism, Nature, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Secular, Spiritual Practice, Worship
  • None of us are mission-making machines.
    Reflection | By Susan Maginn | May 18, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Compassion, Direct Experience, Humanism, Leadership, Military, Ministry, Secular, Vulnerability, Worship
  • Motherhood must be a choice. It cannot be chosen for us.
    Reflection | By Leslie Ahuvah Fails | May 11, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Body, Children, Choice, Mothers, Reproductive Justice, Worship
  • Blessing something or someone is a way of expressing my gratitude and reverence for them.
    Reflection | By Tania Márquez | May 4, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Direct Experience, Family, Mothers, Power, Spiritual Practice, Spirituality, Worship
  • You can crush Love down, bury it, cover it over, but it will rise.
    Reflection | By Molly Housh Gordon | April 6, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Christianity, Community, Easter, Love, Mystery, Purpose, Worship
  • When the holy month of Ramadan approaches, it becomes a beautiful reminder to return to myself.
    Reflection | By Summer Albayati | March 30, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Contemplation, Islam, Spiritual Practice, Worship
  • May we forever perceive the ways we can empower others.
    Reflection | By Sara Palmer | March 23, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Children, Coming-of-Age, Compassion, Growth, Parents, Power, Worship
  • White supremacy culture tells me that I’m only "good" if I’m perfect, treating all falls as hard stops.
    Reflection | By Christine Slocum | March 16, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Anti-Oppression, Challenge, Ending, Failure, Growth, Humanism, Letting Go, Secular, Worship
  • Happy kids are safer kids, because happy kids have adults they can ask for help.
    Reflection | By Quinn Gormley | March 2, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Anti-Oppression, Children, Coming Out, Direct Experience, Humanism, Identity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Parents, Pride Sunday, Secular, Worship
  • Praise be for our connection. Help us to learn from each other.
    Reflection | By Anonymous | February 23, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Diversity, Friendship, Playfulness, Worship
  • Every time I find the sacred unexpectedly, I am filled with awe and surprise.
    Reflection | By Tania Márquez | February 16, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Worship
  • I was often being a stern taskmaster over my mind. I yearned for more openness and joy.
    Reflection | By Lynette Yetter | February 9, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Beginnings, Buddhism, Creativity, Direct Experience, Mindfulness, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Spiritual Practice, Worship
  • I affirm that I am worthy of being good enough to touch hearts and souls, and connect others to Spirit.
    Reflection | By JeKaren Olaoya | February 2, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Worship
  • If I want well-being to be my truth, I must reclaim and protect it.
    Reflection | By Atena O. Danner | January 26, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Anti-Oppression, Body, Limitations, Self-Care, Worship
  • To understand that my humanity and my abundant flesh both demand dignity is to embrace fat liberation.
    Reflection | By Andrew Tripp | January 19, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Body, Fat Liberation, Love, Self-Respect, Worship
  • Every time someone showed up for me, I learned that love is greater than skin deep.
    Reflection | By Melissa Jeter | January 12, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Challenge, Choice, Direct Experience, Discernment, Living Our Faith, Love, Pain, Parents, Relationships, Worship
  • What word might you use as your centering lodestar for 2022?
    Reflection | By Tim Atkins | January 5, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Worship
  • May we continue to find ways to connect while keeping safe this holiday season.
    Reflection | By Laura Shay | December 22, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Community, Worship
  • For me, “surrendering everything tenderly” brings an awareness of grace.
    Reflection | By Jake Morrill | December 15, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Advent, Food, Grace, Patience, Worship
  • Each Advent, my empathy for Mary’s situation returns.
    Reflection | By Taryn Strauss | December 8, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Advent, Children, Choice, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Discernment, Women, Worship
  • Acknowledging that our dream was not happening didn't end the grief, but it did offer closure.
    Reflection | By Leslie Gatto | December 1, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Children, Direct Experience, Grief, Mothers, Parents, Worship
  • May we release ourselves from the need to fit every truth neatly into our own language.
    Reflection | By Sally Fritsche | November 24, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Atheism, Compassion, Direct Experience, Discernment, Empathy, Ministry, Spiritual Practice, Spirituality, Worship
  • Spirit of Life who dwells before and between and beyond all words… we open ourselves to you.
    Reflection | By David Glasgow | November 17, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Anti-Oppression, Arts & Music, Coming Out, Courage, Direct Experience, Friendship, Identity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Secular, Solidarity, Worship
  • We already have everything we need within us to meet the life that is before us.
    Reflection | By DanaLee Simon | November 10, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Animals, Character, Earth-Centered, Growth, Limitations, Nature, Purpose, Worship
  • If this year is a "lost" year, then I am bound to live a lost life.
    Reflection | By Shaya French | November 3, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #COVID19, Worship
  • The dead aren’t really dead; their stories are perpetually being told by the world around us.
    Reflection | By Tania Márquez | October 27, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: All Souls Day, Día de los Muertos, Interfaith, Worship
  • I am learning to give up needing to know the answers, and instead live with the questions.
    Reflection | By Diane Dassow | October 20, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Body, Direct Experience, Illness, Patience, Peace, Spiritual Practice, Worry, Worship
  • I need to celebrate our human family, whose power and potential shimmer against the backdrop of deep time, because we aren’t at our best right now.
    Reflection | By Erika Hewitt | October 13, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Awe, Humanism, Science, Wonder, Worship

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