New Beginnings in the Midst of Loss

This week’s theme is New Beginnings. I want to share with you the reflections of others who have written about starting anew. Anne Forester, quoted on the website of the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, writes the following:

“…Beginnings take courage and they take innovation and they take a so-what attitude toward failure. But they don’t take much effort. They’re going to happen whether you chose them or not.” (For the full text, click here.)

This is a challenging passage. The last line particularly stands out, addressing the beginnings we do not chose. Often, these beginnings don’t feel fresh and new at all. They only feel like setbacks or worse.
And yet, even in those transitions, there is the opportunity for the Spirit to move in our lives.

Contrary to what the above passage implies, is not always necessary to be brave, innovative or fearless.

You can experience a new beginning in your life when you feel least brave. To me, that is one of the miracles of life. The Spirit can step in and give us a new friend, a new sense of self, or a new chance at life—whether or not we have earned it by being brave.

Surprise blessings are miraculous signs. Recognizing and contemplating them can bring us a deeper sense of mystery and reverence for life.