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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!

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  • Against a sunset, an adult holds up a child with their arms outflung joyfully
    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
  • A group of people, backs to the camera, walk holding a giant rainbow flag under their heads, as if in the middle of a Pride parade.
    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
  • a pink heart, apparently drawn on chalk, on a badly cracked concret surface
    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
  • The hands of a Black person cradle the new lettuce leaves growing in their garden.
    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
  • From behind, the silhouette of a U.S. Marine in dress uniform with a blue sky and a few clouds
    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
  • A newborn infant lies on a bed next to their mother, whose torso reveals stretch marks and other signs of recently giving birth.
    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
  • A Latinx mother crouches down to adjust her small child's backpack straps, smiling lovingly.
    Blessing something or someone is a way of expressing my gratitude and reverence for them.
    Reflection | By Tania Y Márquez | May 4, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Direct Experience, Family, Mothers, Power, Spiritual Practice, Spirituality, Worship
  • Seen from high above, a human crowd forms two hands and a heart shape on white background
    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
  • A person in pink robes, mostly cropped out of the photo, holds a Qur'am and Muslim prayer beads.
    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
  • A mother and daughter, holding hands, walk on a path through a forest. They are smiling at one another, and are seen from behind.
    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
  • A close up of two competitors, mid-match, at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Shinbun Championship (2017).
    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
  • Seen from behind, at the beach, a father has his arm lovingly wrapped around his child's shoulder.
    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
  • A man in an orange prison jumpsuit reads a letter, smiling.
    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
  • A hand holding a censer, in which burning copal incense releases smoke.
    Every time I find the sacred unexpectedly, I am filled with awe and surprise.
    Reflection | By Tania Y Márquez | February 16, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Worship
  • A woman stands, eyes closed and hands up in a meditative pose, on a crosswalk with the blurred impressions of passersby around her
    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
  • From the back, a Black woman is seen with her arms raised, wrists crossed. Her top is made from traditional west African fabric.
    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
  • A photo, from above, of a Black mother with daughter lying down on cozy couch in living room, cuddling and napping together at home.
    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
  • In a yoga studio, called Fat Yoga, seven people move into a powerful pose on their yoga mats.
    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
  • Two Black women pack toys into a box, as though preparing a donation
    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
  • The year "2022" written in flowers, leaves, and pinecones
    What word might you use as your centering lodestar for 2022?
    Reflection | By Tim Atkins | January 5, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Worship
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