Bedtime Prayer

Prayer to Concordia for harmony among families, among friends, among coworkers and managers, among groups of people within nations and among and between nations. Let there be no war and let peace prevail everywhere on this precious earth!

Prayer to Our Family's Lares

Prayers to our family's lares for the well being of our family and our home.

Give Yourself Prudence and Love Your Friends

I went to the New York City Pride parade. It was my first time ever to go to a Pride celebration. What was most surprising to me was how life affirming it was. The feeling that prevailed was--what you are--your ethnicity, your sexual orientation, your natural body type--what you are--it's good enough. 

Just beautiful. 

I heard "Born This Way" twice, the song that has what may be my favorite lyrics in any pop song: "Give yourself prudence and love your friends." 

Pride dog:

"I love my transgender child":

Ave Maria

Ave Maria, by Schubert. Almost too beautiful for ordinary ears such as mine.

Good Night

Things fall apart easily. Prayer to Pax for peace in this lovely world. Good night. :)

Epictetus as Translated by Sharon Lebell

Epictetus, as rendered by Sharon Lebell. I hope it's okay to republish just this section. The book says brief excerpts are republishable as part of critical reviews or articles. I'm not sure a blog post qualifies, but I do wholeheartedly recommend her book! I think you might be able to see why through the way she's rendered this passage:

Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. Once you have determined the spiritual principles you wish to exemplify, abide by these rules as if they were laws, as it it were indeed sinful to compromise them. Don't mind if others don't share your convictions. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Put your principles into practice--now. Stop the excuses and procrastination. This is your life! You aren't a child anymore. The sooner you set yourself to your spiritual program, the happier you will be. The longer you wait, the more you will be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better. From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do--now. 

Prayer for the Harmony

Concordia, the goddess of harmony, it is within your power to bring harmony and concord to human relationships. I offer this prayer to you, that you might bring harmony and the happiness and contentment that flow from harmony, to friendships, marriages, families, communities, groups of people within communities, nations, groups of people within nations, and to the relationships between nations. Let no conflicts occur; let no wars occur, conventional or nuclear; let cooperation, agreement, and mutual good feeling prevail across the earth.