I work (and live) with teenagers. Jealous? Teenagers, if you’re unfamiliar, can be kind of paradoxical. There are parts of my day where repeated poor choices, general lack of impulse control, and being surrounded by over 3,500 underdeveloped frontal lobes can make me feel a little defeated.

At the same time (and often in the same day, sometimes in the same interaction), I see kids demonstrating great depths of compassion, generosity, and kindness—making it very easy to feel incredibly optimistic about the future. In this way, my time with teenagers means that I encounter hope every day, which is an invaluable job perk.

Even though I get to swim in a sea of hope (disguised as a cafeteria full of teenagers on sambusa day), sometimes I’m not open to it. I worry. I worry about the student who’s working through recovery, or transitioning, or whose family lives in fear of deportation. And I don’t stop there. What if the adults those kids depend on aren’t able to summon the strength required to support, counsel, teach, and love them through the hardest parts? How can we all sustain hope when the world can feel very dark indeed?

So lately, when the weight of worry has felt too heavy, I borrow these words from Nadia Bolz-Weber’s poem “A shitty little prayer for gloomy thinkers”:

“What I am trying to say, God, is that if you could help me pivot my restless brain from gloom to gladness even just like, 10% faster that could make a huge difference.”

Maybe that’s the work of hope: helping us pivot, even at small intervals, toward the light. The good news is that we don’t always have to generate our own hope, we can let it find us. In my case, I’m confident it will come disguised in sneakers and making way too much noise in the hallway.

And if you need a little help locating hope, might I recommend finding a teenager? Ask them what they’re excited about. Then listen. Their answers will give you a glimpse of tomorrow, and it’s worth hoping for.

— Emily Rosengren, UUCM Board of Trustees Member

The Power of Gratitude: Benefits for a Balanced Mind and Spirit

In this crazy year, it can be easy to focus on what’s wrong, what’s missing, or what we wish was different in the world. Yet, amidst this whirlwind, there is one simple but powerful practice that can dramatically shift our perspective, improve our mental health, and deepen our connection to ourselves and others: gratitude.

Gratitude has profound mental health benefits that can help us navigate life’s challenges with resilience, kindness, and peace. Whether you’re seeking a more mindful life, looking to manage stress, or desiring a greater sense of well-being, cultivating gratitude can be an important tool. 

Gratitude is about shifting our focus. Rather than dwelling on what is lacking or what could be better, gratitude invites us to notice and appreciate what is already present in our lives. This shift in focus, though simple, can have a profound effect on our emotional and mental well-being.

When we consciously recognize the positive aspects of our lives—whether they are big or small—we begin to cultivate a sense of abundance rather than scarcity. Gratitude helps us focus on what we have rather than what we don’t have. This shift in perspective can be particularly helpful during times of stress, uncertainty, or loss, where it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or deprived. By practicing gratitude, we train our minds to see the beauty and goodness that already exists, helping us stay grounded and centered in the present moment.

One of the most significant benefits of gratitude is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Scientific research has shown that gratitude can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for relaxation. When we experience gratitude, our body releases hormones like serotonin and oxytocin, which are known to enhance feelings of well-being and calm.

In contrast, when we focus on what we lack or what we fear, our body enters a state of heightened stress, often triggering the “fight or flight” response. By regularly practicing gratitude, we create a counterbalance to these stress responses, promoting a more relaxed and peaceful state of mind.

Additionally, gratitude helps break the cycle of overthinking, which can often fuel anxiety. When we shift our attention to things we’re thankful for, we give our minds a break from rumination and worry, allowing us to experience more mental clarity and emotional stability.

This emotional resilience is particularly important in our current climate, where many people are navigating unprecedented levels of stress, isolation, and uncertainty. By fostering gratitude, we build a mental foundation that supports us through challenging times. Gratitude allows us to find meaning in hardship, recognize the growth that comes from struggle, and appreciate the lessons life has to offer—even in difficult moments.

Gratitude is not only beneficial for our individual mental health, but it also strengthens our relationships with others. Studies have shown that expressing gratitude to others, whether through a simple thank-you or more elaborate acts of appreciation, can enhance feelings of connection, trust, and empathy.

When we practice gratitude in our relationships, we acknowledge the value others bring to our lives. This recognition fosters a sense of mutual respect and appreciation, which in turn deepens the bonds we share. Whether with friends, family, or colleagues, showing gratitude enhances communication, fosters positive interactions, and can lead to a more supportive and fulfilling social network.

The benefits of gratitude are clear, but how can we integrate this practice into our daily lives? Here are some simple, effective ways to start cultivating gratitude:

1. Keep a Gratitude Journal
   Set aside time each day to write down three things you’re grateful for. They can be as simple as a warm cup of tea or a beautiful sunset, or more significant moments like the support of a friend or a recent accomplishment.
   
   
2. Practice Gratitude Meditation
   Take a few moments each day to close your eyes, breathe deeply, and reflect on the things you are grateful for. Allow yourself to feel the warmth of gratitude as you connect with the present moment.
   
   
3. Express Appreciation to Others
   Take time to express your gratitude to the people around you. Whether it’s through a handwritten note, a thoughtful message, or a kind word, showing appreciation deepens relationships and fosters positive social connections.
   
   
4. Reframe Negative Thoughts
   When you catch yourself focusing on what’s wrong or what you don’t have, try to reframe those thoughts. Ask yourself, “What can I be thankful for in this situation?” This simple shift can help you find silver linings in difficult moments.
   
   
5. Create a Gratitude Ritual
   Incorporate gratitude into your daily routine by creating a ritual around it. For example, you might start or end your day with a brief moment of reflection or prayer, or you could take a gratitude walk, paying attention to the beauty around you.
   
   

As we make gratitude a daily practice, we open ourselves to greater happiness, emotional balance, and inner peace. It’s a simple yet profound way to shift our perspective, calm our minds, and nurture our mental and spiritual health. Embrace the power of gratitude today, and watch as it transforms your life—one thankful moment at a time.

Reflection on Belonging: The Community Our Pets Create

When I think about belonging, I often return to the dogs who have shared life with my family. We have always treated our pets as members of the family—not just companions, but trusted friends who shape our daily lives and our sense of community. This past week, when Jessie’s dog Chloe passed away, I was reminded again of just how much love they give us, and how that love forms the heart of belonging.

Chloe’s story is a familiar one to many of us who have adopted animals. Marion brought her home from a shelter in 2015. From that moment, she became part of a wider circle of love—moving between Jessie’s home, our home, and even spending months with my son Sam. Each time she reunited with Jessie, Sam, or any one of us, she spun her tail in that joyful helicopter circle, a signal that said, You are part of my community, and I am glad to see you.

That’s the gift of our pets: they don’t just form a bond with one person, they weave us together. Because Chloe loved Jessie, Sam, Marion, me, and so many others, she connected us to one another more deeply. We were all part of Chloe’s circle, and through her, part of each other’s. When I walk with Blueberry, or when Penny rests by Marion’s side, I feel that same truth: pets don’t only belong to individuals—they build networks of care, trust, and joy that pull families, friends, and even neighbors into community.

Chloe carried that same spirit of welcome forward into the next generation. When Neal came into Jessie’s life, Chloe greeted him as family right from the start. And when Calvin was born, she extended that same unconditional love to him as well—folding him into her circle just as naturally as she had done with the rest of us. In Chloe’s eyes, family was never fixed; it grew and expanded with every new bond of love.

This is what belonging looks like when lived out. It is not a possession or a status, but a relationship that widens and includes. Our pets remind us that belonging is most powerful when it is shared, when it stretches across households, when it welcomes in friends, children, visitors, and caretakers. In this way, they create small communities around themselves—little ecosystems of love and connection that make us whole.

In our Unitarian Universalist tradition, we often speak of the interdependent web of existence. Our pets live this truth daily. They teach us how to welcome without hesitation, how to forgive quickly, and how to create circles of belonging that hold more than just ourselves.

As we grieve Chloe, I also feel gratitude. Gratitude for the way she knit our family together. Gratitude for the way she loved not just Jessie, but all of us. Gratitude for the way her presence reminded us that community is not only built by intention—it can be built by love that spreads outward, tail wag by tail wag.