Have you ever struggled with the thought that when you do something just for yourself, you are being selfish? This niggling question worms its way into my consciousness, even though I know that I need to be healthy: physically, mentally and spiritually, before I can have compassion for others - - - even though I can hear the words of Jesus, telling us to love others as we love ourselves!
I find it helpful to think that having compassion for myself, is like a pebble that is dropped into water and the ripples keep spreading. Taking care of myself gives me the energy to act. This quote from Thurman Whitman inspired my thinking -
Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that - - because what the world needs is people who have come alive!
Taking care of ourselves not only brings about personal wellbeing but also creates health and wellbeing for our planet. So perhaps you can combine those 2 this Saturday, as you turn off your lights and all electrical appliances and spend an hour in the dark. March 26th at 8:30pm is “Earth Hour”. Find out more at www.earthhour.org Or for local events go to www.wwf.co/earthhour
Another opportunity to care for ourselves and the environment, is the Green Choices for Faith Communities Forum on Saturday, March 26 at Eglinton St. George’s United. Participants will hear from our very own Hon. David MacDonald in the opening address, attend practical workshops on a variety of faith & environment topics, and enjoy a luncheon featuring local, vegetarian food. The opening address starts at 9:30am and the day of workshops ends at 3:30pm. Carolyn Ward, Jane Dickson and myself will be attending, and we would like to send three more people; BUC will cover the registration fees for BUC folks. Please contact Carolyn asap if you would like to go carolynward@hotmail.com / 416-704-3681. For more information on the event, go to www.greenawakeningnetwork.ca
All of this and we haven’t even got to Sunday! Click on Heartbeat to see the many possibilities for spiritual nurture, stimulating conversations and family time.
Blessings, Karen