~ A Tear and A Smile ~

A Tear and A Smile -

By Khalil Gibran

I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart

Joys of the multitude...joy in existence

And I would not have the tears that sadness makes

To flow from my every part turn into laughter.

I would that my life remain a tear and a smile.

A tear to purify my heart and give me understanding

Of life's secrets and hidden things.

A smile to draw me nigh to the sons of my kind and

To be a symbol of my glorification of the gods.

A tear to unite me with those of broken heart;

A smile to be a sign of my joy in existence.

I would rather that I died in yearning and longing

than that I live Weary and despairing.

I want the hunger for love and beauty to be in the

Depths of my spirit, for I have seen those who are

Satisfied the most wretched of people.

I have heard the sigh of those in yearning and Longing,

and it is sweeter than the sweetest melody.

With evening's coming the flower folds her petals

And sleeps, embracing her longing.

At morning's approach she opens her lips to meet

The sun's kiss.

The life of a flower is longing and fulfilment.

A tear and a smile.

The waters of the sea become vapor and rise and come

Together and are a cloud.

And the cloud floats above the hills and valleys

Until it meets the gentle breeze, then falls weeping

To the fields and joins with brooks and riversto Return to the sea, its home.

The life of clouds is a parting and a meeting.

A tear and a smile.

And so does the spirit become separated from

The greater spirit to move in the world of matter

And pass as a cloud over the mountain of sorrow

And the plains of joy to meet the breeze of death

And return whence it came.

To the ocean of Love and Beauty----to God.

Elimination of Competing Desires

 Little Truths Studio

"But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun.; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic monotony that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never gotten tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we." ~ G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy

"Consider, conceive, create, connect, concede that it all starts within."  ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Dr. Randall Smith on the book of Daniel listen here

"Experience the goodness of:

Freedom, Perspective, Wisdom, Creativity

Great leadership grows in the soil of good rest" unhurriedliving.com

 source

Henry David Thoreau :

 source

Jesus, the Good Shepard source

“...Keep God before our minds... This is the fundamental secret of caring for our souls. Our part in thus practicing the presence of God is to direct and redirect our minds constantly to Him. In the early time of our 'practicing' we may well be challenged by our burdensome habits of dwelling on things less than God. But these are habits—not the law of gravity—and can be broken. A new, grace-filled habit will replace the former ones as we take intentional steps toward keeping God before us. Soon our minds will return to God as the needle of a compass constantly returns to the north. If God is the great

Longing of our souls, He will become the pole star of our inward beings.” ~ Dallas Willard 

“Mary Magdalene : The Mislabeled Woman” click here for article and video

Numbers 25:12 "Behold, I give unto him [who was zealous for my sake] my covenant of peace."

"Okay now I'm meandering but … it’s a way for me to stay oriented and engaged… " David Foster Wallace interview Infinite Jest listen here

Podcast: "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry with John Mark Comer" listen here

"...Quiet your mind, lift up your heart, muse, mull over, make discoveries...Pray...

"Read the Scriptures, 

"...Sacred poetry, or a meditation from an inspirational book. 

"...Think about the day ahead and how it might unfold more smoothly. Invoke Divine Order, asking Spirit to take charge of your life today and every day...” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Unhurried Living Blogpost : "The Way of Love" here

 source

"... Visualize yourself at the end of a happy, stress-free, productive day, relaxing and enjoying the well-deserved leisure of the evening. Stroll into the back yard, onto a balcony, sit on the front porch or front stoop with a cup of coffee and wait for the sun to rise." ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Women Woman quote: "It's not about deserve. It's about what you believe, and I believe in Love. Only Love will truly save the World."

"eXquisite" comment by Heather, photo by me

 source

Zagarenski, Pamela, illustrator of a recent "story for all ages" read at All Souls recently

 click here to listen 

Dedicated to Ann Kadlecek

"Adventure of our lives... let them change us... Always remember, we don't do it alone..." ~ Ann

"Big part of transition … we have to say goodbye...

"Commit to living this life with as much love, kindness, Courage and joy as we possibly CAN!"

"Discernment... Deep conversation about things that matter... Deep learning

"Everything You Need - All Souls New London - May 16, 2021" listen and watch by clicking here

Friends,

Goodbyes matter

Hugs :  Ann, Thank you

"I offer you my blessings and my love and may the congregation say with great enthusiasm and love say "Amen" ~ Rev. Carolyn Patierno

"Joy of connection and loving service to our Unitarian Universalist faith and the world..."

"Kindle this flame for the journey and for the light of community that flows in our soul offering courage and love as we go"

"Let it Be a Dance" ~ beautifully sung by Rev. Caitlin O'Brien

"May you move into your future with great joy and great courage" ~ Ann Kadlecek

Next week (June 6, 2021) Ordination - I'll add the link here, once it becomes available.

"Opportunity to honor the two years she's journeyed with us at All Souls" ~ Caitlin O'Brien

Poem by Eeyore " Christopher Robin is going / At least I think he is / Where? / Nobody knows.

But he is going / I mean he goes (To rhyme with "knows")

Do we care? / To rhyme with "where") / We do / Very much.

(I haven't got a rhyme for that "is" in the second line yet / Bother).

(Now I haven't got a rhyme for bother. Bother)

Those two bothers will have to rhyme with each other / Buther.

The fact is this is more difficult / than I thought / I ought - / (Very good indeed)

I ought / to begin again / But it is easier / To stop.

Christopher Robin, good-bye,

I

(Good)

I / And all your friends / Sends -

I mean all your friend / Send -

(Very awkward this, it keeps going wrong.)

Well, anyhow, we send / Our love / END." A.A. Milne

Quiet, centering 

 Reading by Rev. Carolyn Patierno 

 click here for full poem

Story for all ages: Magic Wanda's Travel Emporium by Joshua Cyril White adapted and narrated by Perry Montrose, brought to life by Carolyn, Caitlin, and Ann as Wanda :)

"Tenacity, determination, all of which you have modeled for 

Us these past to years..." ~ Rev. Carolyn Patierno 

Video of this entire service is here: https://youtu.be/QrZqi8bbMBM

Wicked lyrics: "I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason" opportunity to grow for good and you have given us that in and so with (see "Y" below)

"Your wisdom and your humor and your thoughtfulness...You have given us that, Ann" ~ Rev. Carolyn Patierno

Zoom link to Coffee Hour (20 mins) I don't normally do that, but perhaps, one day soon...