Edit Header for Braver/Wiser Search
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 1 - 50 of 324

  • Inside a car, a young adult sits behind the driver's seat. In the passenger seat is someone implied to be a driving instructor due to the clipboard he's holding.
    When I remember to orient myself within the bigger picture, it recalibrates my perspective.
    Reflection | By Kat Liu | April 24, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Balance, Worship
  • Above a cityscape, in a black-and-white photo, a lone crow or corvid spreads its wings mid-flight.
    Crows found ways to adapt to our concrete forests but we have not yet found ways to make sure we are in balance with the rest of creation.
    Reflection | By Christine Slocum | April 17, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Earth, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Interdependence, Nature, Worship
  • A person with white skin holds, in their upturned palms, a strand of help. Beneath their hands we see the person's feet standing on sand.
    This is my favorite thing about seaweed: it feels so much like my neurodiverse brain.
    Reflection | By Quinn Gormley | March 20, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Honesty, Imagination, Nature, Personal Stories, Self-Care, Worship
  • A painting of a person's head, in profile. Their brain and the background are both awash in swirls of color, galaxy-like sparks and stars, and cosmic texture.
    People who aren't neurodiverse tend to frame neurodiversity as symptoms of inconvenience to people around them. For me, my ADHD means beauty.
    Reflection | By Quinn Gormley | March 13, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Beauty, Direct Experience, Identity, Multiculturalism, Psychology, Self-Respect, Wonder, Worship
  • Four people with their backs to the camera stand shoulder-to-shoulder, their arms around each other, as they look into a beautiful sunny vista.
    Appreciation and deep witness are beautiful gateways for returning to our most authentic selves.
    Reflection | By Jami Yandle | March 6, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Compassion, Friendship, Humanism, Interdependence, Listening, Love, Vulnerability, Worship
  • Black and white photo of only the arms of dark-skinned people, raised as if praying in a church pew
    When someone lists Unitarians or Universalists, they usually name white men. Never anyone Black like me.
    Reflection | By Connie Simon | February 28, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #8thPrinciple, #BlackHistoryMonth, #BlackLivesMatter, 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Generations, History, Identity, Race/Ethnicity, Self-Respect, Truth, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism, Universalism, Worship
  • A Black child around 8 years old stares down at a desk covered in books, with a dismayed or tired look on their face.
    From the beginning, the story of Black people in America has been told through the lens of white supremacy.
    Reflection | By Bev Spears | February 21, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #BlackHistoryMonth, #BlackLivesMatter, Generations, History, Justice, Race/Ethnicity, Truth, Worship
  • A cropped photo of a person with a wrist tattoo with upturned hands lightly holding the hands of another person, sitting knee-to-knee with them.
    Scorekeeping is about who hurts whom more. In the long-term, no one wins.
    Reflection | By Anne Griffiths | February 14, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Commitment, Humanism, Love, Marriage, Men, Psychology, Relationships, Secular, Teamwork, Trust, Women, Work, Worship
  • Outdoors on a lawn, a group of Black friends are seated as if at a picnic. They're smiling and laughing with abundant joy.
    If you’re seeking sacred Black “text” in our tradition, you have to examine the way our Black ancestors lived.
    Reflection | By Takiyah Nur Amin | February 7, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #8thPrinciple, #BlackHistoryMonth, #BlackLivesMatter, 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Anti-Oppression, Covenant, Generations, History, Identity, Living Our Faith, Race/Ethnicity, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism, Universalism, Worship
  • With a blurred gym in the background, a white person with short hair holds a handweight out from her body, so that it's the center of the picture's focus.
    Remind me that success is not the only measure of a life.
    Reflection | By Amanda Poppei | January 31, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Compassion, Failure, Humanism, Secular, Self-Respect, Vulnerability, Worship
  • On an airplane, a person sitting in the window seat holds a phone as if texting.
    May the words that I speak remind others that they are beloved.
    Reflection | By Aaron Stockwell Wisman | January 24, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Caring, Friendship, Good, Humanism, Ministry, Relationships, Respect, Responsibility, Worship
  • One person sitting in a wheelchair holds hands with a friend. Only their arms and laps are visible, making their gentle touch the focus of the photo.
    Death is a regular part of my job, which makes small talk weird for me at parties.
    Reflection | By Sarah Gillespie | January 17, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Death, Direct Experience, Friendship, Grief, Humanism, Ministry, Presence, Worship
  • Vanessa, a Black person with her hair in a ponytail, stands between church members with signs. Vanessa is wearing a mask and clergy collar, and is holding her hand in the "peace" sign.
    Just as I can believe in others, I also believe in me.
    Reflection | By Vanessa Titang | January 10, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Activism, Direct Experience, Discernment, Doubt, Humanism, Identity, Leadership, Ministry, Self-Respect, Worship
  • A table full of friends raises their glasses--colored glass goblets--in the air outdoors.
    What “toast, boast, and oath” might you offer this January?
    Reflection | By Sarah Klinger Osborne | January 3, 2024 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Beginnings, Choice, Contemplation, Integrity, New Year, Searching, Self-Care, Self-Respect, Worship
  • A light-skinned Black person's arms cradle a tiny infant whose bare foot soles face the camera.
    Fear not, the angels would text me. Hallelujah, I’d write back.
    Reflection | By Marcus Liefert | December 20, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Advent, Awe, Children, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Direct Experience, Family, Hope, Parents, Wonder, Worship
  • Through a thick forest, a reindeer peeks out at the camera
    Spirits of winter, I celebrate you!
    Reflection | By Erica Shadowsong | December 13, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Animals, Earth-Centered, Generations, Goddess, Imagination, Spiritual Practice, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule, Worship
  • A sketch of Mary, with a crown of stars and a fist raised. Around her are the words "Cast down the mighty" and "Send the rich away"
    The Magnificat is a courageous and subversive song of praise; a call to social justice.
    Reflection | By Laura Dobson | December 6, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Activism, Advent, Anti-Oppression, Christianity, Courage, History, Justice, Multiculturalism, Worship
  • A woman with graying hair and medium-dark skin holds a molecule model in her hands standing in front of a classroom whiteboard with chemistry notations written on it. She's smiling at a student, seen from behind, who is raising their hand.
    I encouraged my students to question authority, especially my authority, because only rarely can we recognize our biases without help.
    Reflection | By JD Stillwater | November 29, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Body, Humanism, Humility, Imagination, Reason, Science, Searching, Secular, Wonder, Work, Worship
  • A Black woman with short-cropped hair helps an older woman walk down stairs.
    Building relationships requires the risk of being open and curious.
    Reflection | By Melissa Jeter | November 22, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Community, Compassion, Connections, Healing, Humanism, Love, Mental Health, Relationships, Secular, Trauma, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • From above, a person with light brown skin, wearing jeans and an olive shirt, plays an electric keyboard.
    Holy Reconciler, help us make peace with each other.
    Reflection | By Amanda Udis-Kessler | November 15, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Arts & Music, Conflict, Division, Friendship, Peace, Politics, Relationships, Secular, Worship
  • U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Richard Hetrick, an aviation safety officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, oversees Marines conducting Foreign Object Debris (FOD) walk at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., June 7, 2021.
    We did what humans frequently do: we created a ritual.
    Reflection | By Seanan R. Holland | November 8, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Ethics, Humanism, Military, Spiritual Practice, Teamwork, Work, Worship
  • Chrissy's son Kaleb kneels on a barn floor, using a saw on some lumber.
    God of our ancestors, may we find the ways in which we can connect across generations.
    Reflection | By Chrissy Bushyager | November 1, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Children, Direct Experience, Family, Generations, History, Parents, Worship
  • A close-up of hands beating on drums outdoors: Earthen Rhythms, a local african drumming group at the Summertime in Maitland, NSW, Australia celebration.
    I believe that we are all "life drummers" just waiting to join in the rhythm.
    Reflection | By Christin Green | October 25, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Acceptance, Body, Community, Direct Experience, Interdependence, Self-Respect, Worship
  • A person sits on a medical examination table, wearing a medical exam gown. Their head isn't visible but their feet dangle off the end and their arms hold the table tensely.
    Sometimes we need someone to witness the pain in holy stillness.
    Reflection | By Jo VonRue | October 18, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Body, Compassion, Direct Experience, Gender, Ministry, Presence, Sexuality, Trauma, Worship
  • In a dance studio, a woman in a red tank top dances ethusiastically while other dancers are visible in the background.
    Embodying all of me is the best way I know to love the world.
    Reflection | By Laura Solomon | October 11, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Body, Growth, Limitations, Self-Care, Worship
  • A Black woman in athletic clothing is in child's pose on a yoga mat: arms stretched forward, head bowing, kneeling back towards her heels.
    Spirit and Breath, create an openness that violence has constricted.
    Reflection | By Melissa Jeter | October 4, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, Anger, Body, Earth, Healing, Race/Ethnicity, Self-Care, Self-Respect, Worship
  • A woman sitting on a large tree branch, with the tree around her, holds her hands to her heart with closed eyes, as if meditating.
    Our bodies are so wise, and they hold so much information.
    Reflection | By Julica Hermann de la Fuente | September 27, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Body, Discernment, Wisdom, Worship
  • From above, the back of a person's head as they sit in meditation and use a Tibetan singing bowl.
    I have struggled forgiving myself for not knowing how to create appropriate boundaries.
    Reflection | By Lynette Yetter | September 20, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Buddhism, Compassion, Forgiveness, Journey, Relationships, Spiritual Practice, Worship
  • A colorful, simple painting of two people's heads facing one another, with brighly colored sparks or energy radiating off of them.
    May we remember to slow down when we find ourselves having difficult conversations.
    Reflection | By Tania Márquez | September 13, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Conflict, Relationships, Worship
  • In a spring garden, dark purple peony shoots rise from a flower bed while a person in gardening gloves works.
    Self-compassion was one of the best gifts I gave myself.
    Reflection | By DanaLee Simon | September 6, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Change, Earth, Healing, Nature, Patience, Personal Stories, Self-Respect, Stewardship, Worship
  • A person's hands are clasped in prayer in what appears to be a church pew.
    Every relationship is an ongoing story that unfolds between people.
    Reflection | By Erika Hewitt | June 28, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Brokenness, Connections, Forgiveness, Healing, Relationships, Worship
  • In a sunny room, raised hands are the focus of this photo, with a few blurred faces in the background.
    May we be active participants in the liberatory potential of democracy.
    Reflection | By Shaya French | June 21, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Choice, Conflict, Conscience, Democracy, Unitarian Universalism, Young Adults, Worship
  • Six cylindrical vases are filled with colored liquid, so that together they form a rainbow. This photo captures the bottom of each vase and the reflection of their color on a blank surface.
    I would have loved it as a kid to have a church that encouraged us to listen to our heartfelt yearning of self.
    Reflection | By Zeb Green | June 7, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Anti-Oppression, Coming Out, Direct Experience, Gender, Identity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Truth, Worship
  • A hand opens a door, revealing a restroom.
    I belong, and you belong, and we belong—just as we are.
    Reflection | By Li Kynvi | May 31, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Anti-Oppression, Body, Courage, Direct Experience, Humanism, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Oppression, Pride Sunday, Privilege, Secular, Worship
  • A bustling train platform, with passengers and lit signs in Japanese and English, at the Shinjuku station.
    If I’m not cultivating an open heart and watching for the helpers, the teachers, and the angels, I may miss them when I need them the most.
    Reflection | By Sue Ferguson | May 24, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Caring, Character, Compassion, Direct Experience, Gratitude, Hospitality, Trust, Worship
  • A close-up of a bright fuschia flower blooming on a spiny cactus, with other pink buds around it.
    When we become fully aware of our limited time on earth we can still leave behind flowers and songs.
    Reflection | By Tania Márquez | May 17, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Beauty, Death, Indigenous American, International, Personal Stories, Worship
  • A small child clutches a sandwich in their hands, showing fingernails painted light blue.
    We are the hands and feet of love. And sometimes its fingernails, too.
    Reflection | By Joanna Fontaine Crawford | May 10, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Body, Children, Direct Experience, Gender, Generations, Imagination, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • A person's hands scoop green material into a full compost bin, filled with flowers, eggshells, and colorful vegetable matter.
    The miracle of grace is available to us even when it has been left untended.
    Reflection | By Jennifer Hundley-Batts | May 3, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Abundance, Direct Experience, Earth, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Food, Grace, Nature, Patience, Stewardship, Summer Solstice, Worship
  • With a snow-covered landscape visible outside, a bird trapped inside of a window flaps its wings.
    In our times of need, may we each be saved by hope, connection, and love.
    Reflection | By Lynn Gardner | April 26, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Compassion, Salvation, Worship
  • A tiny chickweed seedling still has the cap of its seed pod, while the tiny seedling next to it is unfurling its tiny green leaves.
    Remind me that life is magical and mysterious.
    Reflection | By JD Stillwater | April 19, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Awe, Beauty, Direct Experience, Earth, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Nature, Stewardship, Wonder, Worship
  • From behind, a child holds a camera at the edge of a river. In the distance, and through the camera screen, there's a heron faintly visible.
    May we remember the belonging that is ours simply because we were born.
    Reflection | By Lindasusan Ulrich | April 12, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Earth, Imagination, Nature, Worship
  • The cast of "Jesus Christ Superstar" on stage, at a moment where Jesus is kneeling with a woman and smiling.
    It’s complicated, sorting out where Jesus fits into my life as a witch. But he hasn’t gone away.
    Reflection | By Myke Johnson | April 5, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Christianity, Easter, Lent, Worship
  • At a March For Our Lives event, a protester is seen from behind wearing a very large sign that says #Enough
    How can I be love instead of being anger and fear?
    Reflection | By DeEtte Waleed | March 29, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Disaster or Crisis, Integrity, Love, Violence, Worship
  • On a road, a Black man in jeans bends down to talk through a passenger window to the car's driver.
    My intuition became honed, for safety and survival.
    Reflection | By Lynette Yetter | March 22, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Worship
  • A trail is vaguely visible on a mossy forest bed, through thick trees. A blaze of blue paint appears on one of the many trees.
    What’s your most memorable story about getting lost? What do you remember about finding your way home?
    Reflection | By Erika Hewitt | March 15, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Connections, Despair, Direct Experience, Home, Hope, Humanism, Journey, Searching, Worship
  • The torso of an Asian person wearing an apron as they scoop freshly cooked rice out of a rice cooker.
    We must unstick our minds if we want to bring change into the world.
    Reflection | By Tomo Hillbo | March 8, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Contemplation, Direct Experience, Food, Growth, Humility, International, Reason, Revelation, Worship
  • A cropped shot of two people holding hands in comfort across a wood table.
    12-Step recovery has provided me with perspective, forgiveness, and freedom from shame.
    Reflection | By Lane-Mairead Campbell | March 1, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Addiction/Recovery, Forgiveness, Grace, Relationships, Transformation, Worship
  • A Latinx mother and daughter embracing while cooking in the kitchen at home
    Food carries the love, wisdom, and stories of survival of a people.
    Reflection | By Tania Márquez | February 8, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Family, Food, Generations, Identity, Worship
  • A child sits at a desk, reading, while in the background a teacher observes her.
    Love shows up in complicated conversations.
    Reflection | By Jo VonRue | February 1, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Children, Direct Experience, Love, Poverty, Shame, Worship
  • A small Black girl smiles, sitting at a table. Next to her, back to the camera, is a man we imagine to be her grandfather.
    Let us be grateful for the vital force that wakes us and moves us.
    Reflection | By Melissa Jeter | January 25, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, America, Body, Generations, Love, Race/Ethnicity, Worship
Edit Sidebar for Braver/Wiser Search

Writing for Braver/Wiser

If you're interested in writing for Braver/Wiser, please refer to Writing for Braver/Wiser (PDF) to learn more!

Ready to Submit?

If you've reviewed our "Writing for Braver/Wiser" guidelines, visit our submission page!