InSpiritry

InSpiritry Question for the Day 4-17-09

Friday, April 17th, 2009

The experience of others adds to our knowledge, but not to our wisdom–

that is dearer bought.

Hosea Ballou

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For several days I have been posting InSpiritry Questions for the Day on Facebook–questions that lead us to consider our lives a little more deeply. The responses have been interesting. Since not everyone is part of that community, I thought I would post the same questions here each day. So in between longer weekly/monthly Passion for the Greater Good posts, I’ll be posting questions to carry in your mind’s pocket for a while each day!

Today’s InSpiritry Question for the Day:

What experience from your past has made you stronger?

(Are you using that strength for Good?)

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When We Use the Wisdom Gained from Experience, We Can Be a Blessing!

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Posted in Anne McCrady, Consilience, Greater Good, InSpiration, InSpiritry | Comments Off

Spring Renewal

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

Spring!

It’s Easter weekend, the time when Christian congregations around the world commemorate Christ’s resurrection, the remembrance of the empty tomb where passionate women friends of Jesus discovered the fulfilment of prophecy. For modern Christians, Easter is the celebration of spiritual renewal and the hope of eternal life for those who believe.

For other Americans, it is a happy weekend of family gatherings, Sunday lunches, children in brightly colored outfits and Easter egg hunts.

It’s also spring, the time when Nature’s message of renewal is just as passionate as Easter itself. Here in East Texas, green has miraculously returned to bare branches and sleeping sod. Flowers of every hue shout their songs of celebration and new life. Animals large and small seem reinvigorated for this season of procreation and birth.

While our human lives are often more driven by work deadlines, school assignments and family responsilibities, we would do well to affirm our natural selves this time of year, to find ways to use this month to experience resurrection, both spiritually and personally–embracing the idea of a new lease on life, a chance to start again, fresh beginnings, bright hope.

Think about your own life this Easter:

With the long, cold months of winter over, what darkness do you need to leave behind?
As the world blossoms with color, how can you experience celebration and creativity with those you love?
While birds build nests and mother animals give birth, what can you do to insure our childrens’ future?
As caterpillars are being transformed into butterflies, what relationships of yours need to be renewed?
Now that plants and trees are growing again, what part of your life needs new attention and growth or even change?

Let’s celebrate Easter with all the joy it represents. Let’s welcome Spring and experience a time for renewal. Let’s use our lives for more than self-absorbed day-to-day living. Let’s be Passionate about the Future, working together towards the Greater Good!

When We Experience Renewal,

We Can Be a Blessing!

Learn more about InSpiritry and Anne McCrady,

subscribe to InSpiritry Emails

or Contact Anne.

Join the InSpiritry Conversation– Add Your Comment

Also see this article as part of The InSpiritry Times online news source!

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Posted in Anne McCrady, Christianity, Creativity, Greater Good, InSpiration, InSpiritry, Nature, Spiritual | Comments Off

Our Most Human Question: Why?

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Your imagination, my dear fellow, is worth more than you imagine.
Louis Aragon

This past Thursday, February 12, was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, one of the world’s most imaginative and influential thinkers. In the UK, a celebration called Darwin200 is taking place to honor his scientific ideas and their impact. Events are taking place this month and will continue until November 24, the 150th anniversary of the publication of his famous book, The Origin of Species.

You remember Charles Darwin: the 19th century God-fearing husband, father and naturalist who stumbled upon an idea so revolutionary and disturbing that he waited 15 years to publish it, for fear of alienating his friends, family and faith. In fact, his fears were confirmed. His discovery of Evolution–the idea that plants and animals with some traits survive and others do not leads species to emerge or change into new forms over time–did cause alienation, not just in Darwin’s life but for us 200 years later! Even today in state houses across America, educators and boards of educations are arguing, often with raised voices and tear-filled eyes, both sides of the issue of biology curricula: evidence-based science or creationism/intelligent design. As the debate rages, our poor teachers are faced with trying to inspire the scientists of tomorrow while maneuvering the storm.

Thinking about all this, I imagine God shaking his heavenly head and wondering about these miraculous human creatures made of the same stuff as water, spring flowers, sea turtles, star dust… people who by design endlessly long to understand the world, but who sometimes ask “why?” and then refuse to believe the answers they find.

And that is it in a nutshell: Darwin’s explorations as well as human discoveries from the beginning of time are rooted in that very human, and for the faithful divine-inspired, question, “why?” In fact, asking “why?” is at the heart of learning, that thing we humans must do to survive. (more…)

Posted in Anne McCrady, Creativity, Education, Events & News, Greater Good, Greater Good Thinking, InSpiritry, Science, Social Issues | 1 Comment »

Problem Solving 101

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

The problems that exist in the world today

cannot be solved

with the level of thinking that created them.

Albert Einstein

Hope! Change! Possibility! Excitement!

The year 2009 began with a bang. The amazing celebrations surrounding the inauguration of Barak Obama as the new President offered Americans some much-needed optimism about the future. Some of us even let ourselves believe the worst was over!

While it was nice to have that brief January respite from the storm of bad news from around the world, February seems to have tossed us overboard: Worsening economic conditions. The catastrophic environmental crisis. Governmental gridlock. Terrorism. Genocide. Famine. Illness. And so far, most of our leaders are displaying a stubborn and often selfish allegiance to old ideas and older fears. (more…)

Posted in Anne McCrady, Creativity, Economy, Events & News, Greater Good, InSpiration, InSpiritry, Politics of Possibility, Science, World | No Comments »

A Political Event and A Spiritual Awakening

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

I do solemnly swear

that I will faithfully execute the office

of President of the United States of America…

It happened! It really happened! Barak Obama has been sworn in as the first African American President of the United States!

The moment we have long awaited finally arrived today at noon, and what a moment it was! After a beautiful Washington DC dawn welcomed thousands of flag-waving Americans gathered on the mall and while cheering parade watchers waited with their faces full of smiles and tears, it happened. As we all watched, a young man’s leadership moved us into a new era– not only beyond racial divisions, but also beyond global aggression, beyond financial thievery, beyond partisan politics and beyond business as usual. As Barak Obama took the oath of office, promising to uphold this country, we also took an oath to bravely follow him into our future.

Like the orator he is, he spoke words we have needed to hear. As a word lover and progressive, I delighted in the power of his speech. But, even with all he said, it was not his words, but our words that struck me most. (more…)

Posted in America, Anne McCrady, Community, Events & News, Greater Good, InSpiration, InSpiritry, Politics of Possibility, Social Issues, Spiritual, U.S. | 1 Comment »

The Question No One Is Asking

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

Cash for trash!

Paul Krugman discussing the financial bailout, New York Times, Sept. 22.

Ahh, memories of 2008…

First came the slump in the housing market and growing mortgage defaults, then we found out about those infamous credit default swaps which were followed by the collapse of financial institutions and insurance companies (and the stock market along with them), then the call for a bailout of auto manufacturers and later other smaller companies and most recently the Bernie Madoff investment debacle. The economic house of cards that American finance built over the past two decades is in a heap on the floor, and we, Americans, are asking ourselves disturbing questions: (more…)

Posted in America, Anne McCrady, Economy, Events & News, Greater Good, InSpiration, InSpiritry | No Comments »

Welcome Hope

Friday, December 19th, 2008

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future…a fervent wish…that every path may lead to peace.” ~ Agnes M. Pahro

With each day’s dose of dismal economic realities, allegations of corruption and the usual policial controversies, America is having a hard and harder time feeling the Christmas spirit. Even with Barak Obama’s promise of Hope, the American mood seems to be more like Hopelessness. It is not just a national sensibility; we are seeing it at a personal level:

Someone on our Christmas card list has lost their job.

Someone in our neighborhood is about to lose their home or already has.

Someone in line with us at the drug store has lost their retirement savings.

Or maybe all this is happening to us! (more…)

Posted in America, Anne McCrady, Community, Greater Good, InSpiration, InSpiritry, Spiritual | 1 Comment »

What Just Happened?

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

“The long lines at voting places, the outpouring of emotion when the results came in… reminded me of the first time votes in new democracies I have covered around the world. “

CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour

“This is a new generation of young voters coming of age with their support of Barak Obama. They may for years be influenced by this election. I call them the “O” Generation.”

Commentator and Political Advisor David Gergen

“Mom, it’s 10:01, and America has elected a Black man as President!”

election night voicemail on my cell phone

“My tears were tears of vindication, but the tears of my daughter and grandchildren were tears of hope.”

African American House Majority Whip James Clyburne

New democracy? New Generation? Emotional young people? Racial Justice?

What just happened?! (more…)

Posted in Anne McCrady, Events & News, Greater Good, InSpiritry, Politics of Possibility, U.S. | No Comments »

An Open Letter to Conservatives

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Conservative America,

I know many people are stunned by the loss of presidential candidate John McCain, and his running mate Sarah Palin, and the victory of President-elect Barak Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. Many 0f you may think we ”liberals” are dangerous. You may even feel your country is in deep trouble. In angry and fearful voices, some are already saying, They will never take away our guns…our rights…our freedom…our wealth!

If you are one of those worried about what this election means for America, here’s food for thought on some important issues: (more…)

Posted in Anne McCrady, Community, Events & News, Greater Good, InSpiration, InSpiritry, Politics of Possibility, U.S. | 1 Comment »

Change!

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008

Let today embrace the past with remembrance

and the future with longings.

Kahlil Gibran

As the west wind of our first real cold front swept the last bits of summer aside yesterday (and I changed from shorts-and-Tshirt to blue jeans-and-a sweater!), I was reminded of the blessing of the seasons. Each one is a new beginning, and not just for Nature. As the trees throw off their stiffened leaves and settle in for some well-deserved rest, we too can begin a new season. Fall, especially, offers a time of reconsideration–a chance to leave behind old sadnesses, errors, grudges and regrets. We can rethink our priorities and recommit to our best selves. We can rediscover gratitude and optimism. We can change! (more…)

Posted in America, Anne McCrady, Economy, Environment, Greater Good, InSpiration, InSpiritry, Politics of Possibility, U.S. | 10 Comments »

Archive for the ‘Greater Good’ Category

InSpiritry Question for the Day 4-17-09

Spring Renewal

Our Most Human Question: Why?

Problem Solving 101

A Political Event and A Spiritual Awakening

The Question No One Is Asking

Welcome Hope

What Just Happened?

An Open Letter to Conservatives

Change!

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