December 2000
December 31, 2000
The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures.
It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.
It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle of birth and death, in ebb and in flow.
I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life. And my pride is from the life-throb of ages dancing in my blood this moment.
- Rabindranath Tagore
December 30, 2000
Intricate and untraceable
weaving and interweaving,
dark strand with light:
Designed, beyond
All spiderly contrivance,
To link, not to entrap:
Elation, grief, joy, contrition, entwinded;
shaking, changing, forever forming, transforming:
All praise, all praise to the great web.
- Denise Levertov
December 29, 2000
So close no matter how far
couldn't be much more from the heart
forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters
never opened myself this way
life is ours, we live it our way
all these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters
trust I seek and I find in you
every day for us something new
open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
but I know
so close no matter how far
couldn't be much more from the heart
forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
but I know
never opened myself this way
life is ours, we live it our way
all these words I don't just say
trust I seek and I find in you
every day for us something new
open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they say
never cared for games they play
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
and I know
so close no matter how far
couldn't be much more from the heart
forever trusting who we are
no nothing else matters
- "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica
December 28, 2000
Earth mother, star mother,
You are called by a thousand names,
May all remember we are cells in your body and dance together.
You are the grain and the loaf that sustains us each day,
And as you are patient with our struggles to learn
So shall we be patient with ourselves and each other.
We are radiant light and sacred dark-the balance-
You are the embrace that heartens
And the freedom beyond fear.
Within you we are born, we grow, live, and die-
You bring us around the circle to rebirth,
Within us you dance
Forever.
- Starhawk
December 27, 2000
Special Request
Instead of posting a prayer here, today I invite you to visit the following site:
One Million Prayers of Peace for the Middle East.
Here you can leave a prayer of your own and read what others have written.
"May peace prevail in the Middle East"
December 26, 2000
Hail, holy queen, mother of mercy,
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs
Mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
Thine eyes of mercy toward us,
And after this our exile
Show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
- Salve Regina Source
December 25, 2000
O God,
whose mighty Son was born in Bethlehem
those days long ago,
lead us to that same poor place,
where Mary laid her tiny Child.
And as we look on in wonder and praise,
make us welcome him in all new life,
see him in the poor,
and care for his handiwork
the earth, the sky and the sea.
O God, bless us again in your great love.
We pray for this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
- From Christmas Prayers and Customs
December 24, 2000
Everything's different
But nothing has changed
Are we going in circles
It's Christmas again.
Can't you hear the sleigh bells ring
All our voices unite
And look up to the Heavens
See the stars shinning bright
Everybody needs a little lovin'
Around Christmas time
Somehow you got to know you're gonna be all right
Do you remember how it used to be
Sitting under the Christmas tree
In your heart you'll
Find the season
We've been blessed by the children
Black, Yellow and White
They believe in the things
We try to deny
So throw down your weapons
But continue the fight
And let's love one another
On this Holy night
Everybody need a little lovin'
Around Christmas time
Somehow you got to know you're gonna be all right
Do you really remember how it use to be
Sitting under the Christmas tree
In your heart you'll
Find the season
Oh, reach down inside your heart
and see all the love
Oh, in your heart you'll
Find the reason
- From "Christmas Time" by Hanson
December 23, 2000
May there always be work for your hands to do
May your purse always hold a coin or two
May the sun always shine on your windowpane
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain
May the hand of a friend always be near you
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you
- An Irish Blessing Source
December 22, 2000
Come to these scenes of peace,
Where, to rivers murmuring,
The sweet birds all the summer sing,
Where cares and toil and sadness cease!
Stranger, does thy heart deplore
Friends whom thou wilt see no more?
Does thy wounded spirit prove
Pangs of hopeless, severed love?
Thee the stream that gushes clear,
Thee the birds that carol near
Shall sooth, as silent thou dost lie
And dream of their wild lullaby;
Come to bless these scenes of peace,
Where cares and toil and sadness cease.
- "Come To These Scenes of Peace" By William Lisle Bowles
December 21, 2000
My Jesus, my Friend,
Walk with me today.
Hand in hand, guide me to learn
And to know what is good.
Arm in arm, help me to grow
In my faith and in love for others.
Side by side, stay by me to protect me
And show me Your ways.
Heart to heart, help me to pray...and
To be all that you want me to be.
Thank You, Jesus, for the
Special love You have for me.
- "Walk With Me" Source
December 20, 2000
Thou art the path
and the goal that paths never reach.
Thou feedest and sustainest
all that one sees, or seems.
Thou art the trembling grass
and the tiger that creeps under it.
Thou art the light in sun and moon,
the sounds fading into silence,
and the sanctity of sacred books.
Thou art the good that destroys evil.
- Prayer from India
December 19, 2000
I wasn't able to update. Sorry!
December 18, 2000
"Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified."
- Bah�'u'll�h Source
December 17, 2000
In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.
I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death.
I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness,
I hear the ever-approaching thunder, which will destroy us, too,
I can feel the suffering of millions, and yet, if I look up into the heavens,
I think that it will all come out right, that this cruelty will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.
In the meantime, I must hold up my ideals for perhaps the time will come when I shall be able to carry them out.
- Anne Frank
December 16, 2000
Entering into the secret place, hidden from the world, our words are heard. God is a faithful listener. Even though we may not feel His closeness, or discern His touch, He is there. It is in the stillness that we are able to quiet thought enough to hear His voice and our senses enough to feel His presence. There is no requirement that we withdraw literally from the world, only that our faith accepts that, although we may not feel and may not hear, He is present. In that, we are stilled, and what has always been is evident to us. Prayer is this faith. It is coming to the Father of our hearts, knowing all is provided even before we ask. Prayer is a way to align ourselves with what is already and always true: that we are children of the Beloved Father of life. Prayer is also a gift we can give to our Father, as through it we show our love and earnest care for our brothers and sisters.
- Source
December 15, 2000
May I be no one's enemy and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides.
May I wish for every person's happiness and envy none.
May I never rejoice in the ill fortune of one who has wronged me.
May I, to the extent of my own power, give needful help to all who are in want.
May I never fail a friend.
May I respect myself.
May I always keep tame that which rages within me.
May I accustom myself to be gentle and never be angry with others because of circumstances.
May I know good people and follow in their footsteps.
- Eusebius
December 14, 2000
O our Mother the Earth,
O our Father the Sky,
Your children are we, and with tired backs we bring you the gifts you love.
Then weave for us a garment of brightness;
May the warp be the white light of the morning,
May the weft be the red light of evening,
May the fringes be the falling rain,
May the border be the standing rainbow.
Thus weave for us a garment of brightness,
That we may walk fittingly where birds sing,
That we may walk fittingly where grass is green,
O our Mother the Earth,
O our Father the Sky.
- From the Tewa of North America
December 13, 2000
You are my shepherd.
I shall not want.
You cradle me in green pastures.
You lead me beside the still waters.
You restore my soul.
You guide me in paths of righteousness for You are righteous.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and staff comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You soothe my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in Your house forever.
- The Bible, Psalm 23
Repeated by special request.
December 12, 2000
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
- The Bible, Luke 6:36-38
December 11, 2000
My words are tied in one with the great mountains, with the great rocks, with the great trees, in one with my body and heart. All of you see me, one with this world.
- Yokuts Prayer
December 10, 2000
Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers,
But to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,
But for the heart to conquer it.
Let me not look for allies in life's battle-field,
But to my own strength.
Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved,
But hope for the patience to win my freedom.
Grant me that I may not be a coward, feeling your mercy in my success alone;
But let me find the grasp of your hand in my failure.
- Rabindranath Tagore
December 9, 2000
Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.
Sutta Nipata
Buddha's Discourse on Good Will
December 8, 2000
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
- "Imagine" by John Lennon
December 7, 2000
Let there be peace in the sky and in the atmosphere, peace in the plant world and in the forests;
Let the cosmic powers be peaceful;
let Brahma be peaceful;
Let there be undiluted and fulfilling peace everywhere.
- Atharva Veda
(I believe this is of Hindu origin.)
December 6, 2000
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
- The Bible, Isaiah 40:31
December 5, 2000
Spirit of the East, spirit of air,
of morning and springtime:
Be with us as the sun rises,
in times of beginning,
times of planting.
Inspire us with the fresh breath of courage
as we go forth into new adventures.
Spirit of the South, spirit of fire,
of noontime and summer:
Be with us through the heat of the day
and help us to be ever growing.
Warm us with strength
and energy for the work that awaits us.
Spirit of the West, spirit of water,
of evening and autumn:
Be with us as the sun sets
and help us enjoy a rich harvest.
Flow through us with a cooling,
healing quietness and bring us peace.
Spirit of the North, spirit of the earth,
of nighttime and winter,
Be with us in the darkness,
in the time of gestation.
Ground us in the wisdom of the changing seasons
as we celebrate the spiraling journey of our lives.
- To The Four Directions, by Joan Goodwin
December 4, 2000
There is no future
There is no past
Thank God this moment's not the last
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret
Or life is yours to miss
No other road
No other way
No day but today
I can't control
My destiny
I trust my soul
My only goal is just to be
There's only now
There's only here
Give in to love
Or live in fear
No other path
No other way
No Day But Today
- Rent, by Jonathan Larson
December 3, 2000
O Spirit of Life and Renewal:
We have wintered enough, mourned enough, oppressed ourselves enough.
Our souls are too long cold and buried, our dreams all but forgotten, our hopes unheard.
In this, the season of steady rebirth, we awaken to the power so abundant, so holy, that returns each year through earth and sky.
We will find our hearts again, and our good spirits. We will love, and believe, and give and wonder, and feel again the eternal powers.
The flow of life moves ever onward through one faithful spring, and another, and now another.
May we be forever grateful.
Alleluia. Amen.
- Jane Rzepka
December 2, 2000
As I walk, as I walk
The universe is walking with me
In beauty it walks before me
In beauty it walks behind me
In beauty it walks below me
In beauty it walks above me
Beauty is on every side
As I walk, I walk with Beauty.
- Traditional Navajo Prayer
December 1, 2000
If I'm gone when you wake up,
please don't cry.
And if I'm gone when you wake up,
it's not goodbye.
Don't look back at this time
as a time of heartbreak and distress.
Remember me, remember me,
cause I'll be with you in your dreams,
I'll be with you.
If I'm gone when you wake up,
please don't cry.
If I'm gone when you wake up,
don't ask why.
Don't look back at this time
as a time of heartbreak and distress.
Remember me, remember me,
cause I'll be with you in your dreams.
Don't cry, I'm with you,
don't cry, I'm by your side.
Don't cry, I'm with you,
don't cry, I'm by your side.
I'll be with you in your dreams.
- From "With You In Your Dreams" by Hanson
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