I was talking to a UU minister who is training in the methods of social change developed by Joanna Macy, internationally known environmentalist. In our conversation we talked about how all spiritual work is really about gratitude, facing our pain, seeing with new eyes, and going out into the world anew.  This Macy approach to social change, designed to deal with climate issues, applies just well to ALL our systemic human problems such as: racial and ethnic justice, environmental sustainability, or peace international solutions or collectively meeting the basic necessities of all of us. It is collectively and intentionally, as in a Unitarian Universalist congregation, that we can have the safety and support to work through these stages over and over. Those in the Beloved Conversations groups have begun to notice this. Slowly each individual, family and generation can appreciate more, face their deepest pain and fears, see clearly with new eyes realities as they are and move forward according to their gifts and talents to address the larger systems. Addressing ANY of the larger systems will likely move us toward a better future created from our best selves. All and everyone is inner connected.

Blessings be, Marye Gail Harrison, USH Board Chair for Spiritual Life