Do good. Do no harm. Stay in love.

I   am fortunate to be in beautiful Harpswell,Maine.  It is one of my favorite places to vacation- I fell in love with this sanctuary by the ocean; peaceful, quiet. I rent a little cottage where I can kayak on the bay. Another blessing is that I have become friends with the owner, and each year we greet each other with a warm hug.  And then each time I leave and say “until next year”.

On the way, I stopped in Newburyport, Massachusetts.   While there I searched for the People’s Church –  I love the weather vane- Gabriel’s horn. Archangel Gabriel is a defender of truth and the one who helps us use tenderness and loving words to awaken our inner child.   I was  also struck by the minister’s sermon  title (with all due credit to him or her). “Do good. Do no harm. Stay in love”.

I thought what powerful words to live by.  Of late, I had a rather ugly experience with people on the other side of a heated issue- immigration reform. But, I did stop to think, why are they so angry at us and at me for what we believe? I have also encountered people who may not listen to me or who try to exert power over me. When the line is crossed, I do tell them how I feel and how that isn’t acceptable.  But,  I do try to listen and hear what others are saying.   I do try to do good. I do try not to do harm.  I am human and make mistakes. We all do. Am I still in love?  My beloved left us long ago. And so far, I haven’t met another love. Maybe some day  I will.

But I am in love.  I am in love with nature, my friends my family. I do love a Higher Being. I love children. I love quilting and kayaking and writing.  I love the volunteer work I do. I love waking up in the morning (most days),  and seeing what the day will bring. For now, that is more than enough. For that, I am very grateful.