In Praise of the Ordinary…

 In Reflections

“The most radiant exemplars of each faith tradition seem to share this common theme: they perceived the extraordinary in the ordinary and celebrated it.” –Mirabai Starr, God of Love

In this month of love many feel compelled to either make a grand gesture to express the love they feel for another or to ignore the entire ‘event’ Valentine’s Day has become. Perhaps there is a middle ground

In her book God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Mirabai Starr weaves together the wisdom that points to the foundation of love found in these and other faith traditions. Sharing the story of Catholic saint and mystic, Thérèse of Lisieux, she reminds use of the blessings to be found in honoring the ordinary:

“In dedicating our smallest actions to the God of Love, Thérèse believed that we are contributing to the transformation of the whole world. –Mirabai Starr

Imagine the gift you’ll give yourself and the world by infusing love into the humble work around your home or in your office. Or quietly sending love to the harried clerk in the understaffed store and calling someone you love but haven’t spoken to in awhile. The possibilities are endless…

May you find ways to praise the ordinary by infusing love into experiences and interactions you might normally dismiss as meaningless. And may this sharing of love come back to you in joyful ways.

Ordinary Love

“Ordinary love, anonymous and unnoticed as it is, is the substance of peace on earth, the currency of God’s grace in our daily life.”
― Tish Harrison Warren

Saying Yes

“But when we say yes to the God of Love in an unfamiliar, and potentially uncomfortable form, locks fly off the doors of the heart, making more room for the Mystery to dwell there.”
― Mirabai Starr

What new place can you say yes to the God of Love in?

The Beauty of Our Hearts

“My prayer is that we trust the beauty of our hearts and awareness. Holding hands, may we help to bring healing and freedom to our world.”
May all beings realize their essence as loving awareness.
May all beings live their lives from this awakened heart.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings touch great, natural peace.
May there be peace on earth, peace everywhere.
May all beings awaken and be free.
― Tara Brach, Ph.D.  True Refuge
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