When we claim our full name, we reclaim our best selves and vow to follow the Bodhisattva path of Universalism (or if we are persuaded to become eco-feminist, the Gaia dharma, whereby we work for the salvation of the planet.) Belief in Universalism enables relation and genuine, tender contact, for to believe in universal salvation is to affirm the worth and dignity of every person—a radical principle undergirding Universalist theologies all the way from the gracious God of John and Judith Sargent Murray to the bold vision declared 50 years ago by Robert Cummins, then general superintendent of the Universalist Church of America, when he said,

Universalism cannot be limited to either Protestantism or to Christianity, not without denying its very name. Ours is a world fellowship, not just a Christian sect. For so long as Universalism is universalism and not partialism, the fellowship bearing its name must succeed in making it unmistakably clear that all are welcome: theist and humanist, unitarian and trinitarian, colored and color-less. A circumscribed Universalism is unthinkable.

“If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years.”

Bertrand Russell

It makes me think of this:

Or maybe this:

What it refers to is the practice of circling around a parking lot in the hopes that a spot might open up in the next few minutes/hours. I’m not sure why some people would rather do this than go park somewhere else, but it is a real problem. Just don’t look up sharking on Urban Dictionary, since it apparently also means something much more disgusting….

Disclaimer: I am merely making an observation about, not making fun, of this. I am actually glad someone is trying to stop people from wasting gas and causing more pollution when there is ample parking further down.

Why Do Bad Leaders Always Seem to Win?

In my opinion bad leaders are one of the most damaging things that can happen to an organization.

The girls recently learned about women getting the right to vote. To me it’s hard to imagine that such a basic right was denied to an entire section of the population. The same thing holds for marriage equality. Why has is taken so long for this day to come? It is telling that standing up for civil rights is a revolutionary action. Kudos to the politicians who stood on the side of love.

Very good points, something to consider.

This is a good article. I think one of the problems UUs have is explaining to other people what exactly Unitarian Universalism is.

Here’s my take on each Pillar:

Meaning: Working in Higher Education, personally I find great meaning in my job. If someone uses a smart classroom or a computer lab they see the results of my work. It is a good feeling to be able to enable someone to get an education.

Enagement: For the most part I am able to get into a “flow” at my job.

Accomplishment: I achieve goals often at work, although a little more positive recognition would be nice.

Relationships: I enjoy working with my colleagues.

Positive Emotion: This is the hardest on the list. I am a very optimistic person, and often keep a positive attitude. However, I work in a very ugly, dark, window-less environment. Sometimes, especially in the winter, it is very depressing walking into that building. However, I recently moved to a new office and although I still don’t have a window my space is very nice and significantly nicer to work in than my old office.