If you enjoy the ways in which Monthly Quest gets you thinking, come join the conversation on Facebook—search for the CLF Quest Monthly Theme Discussion Group. Read more »

It’s no secret that the CLF is willing to try new things and risk mistakes to reach more people with a Unitarian Universalist message of hope, love, and justice. Read more »

Each day I am newly reminded of my unworthiness: a dozen thoughts misspoken; another day when the good I do falls so far short of the good that I could do… Read more »

The reason I’ve been able to produce so much is that I’m not a perfectionist— I’m an imperfectionist. Read more »

Mistakes. The longer I live, the more clearly I know that I’ll never quit making them. So, one skill that I have honed to a fine point is that of apologizing. Read more »

“One lives in the hope of becoming a memory.” —Antonio Porchia

The essence of gift is that it creates a set of relationships.  The currency of a gift economy is, at its root, reciprocity. —Robin Wall Kimmerer

“My barn having burned down I can now see the moon.”—Mizuta Masahide

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” —Maya Angelou

“The true art of memory is the art of attention.” —Samuel Johnson

“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” —Henri Matisse

“This could be our revolution: to love what is plentiful as much as what is scarce.”—Alice Walker

It always surprises me when people tell me how brave I am for being openly transgender. It doesn’t seem like bravery to me because I know how painful it was to live in the “before”… Read more »

Some of us have been able to escape the bonds of belief systems that condemn us through religious hate-speak. As an “escapee,” I offer you words of comfort: You are not an abomination. You are not flawed. You are good and worthy, and you deserve to live life in an unfragmented fashion…as well as confident that you deserve to ...Read more »

Just as much as marriage, divorce or separation can be a holy choice. When divorce is grounded in deep reflection and care, it can be an expression of love and commitment to life. Read more »

“Do you know who I am?” I asked my soul mate of almost 23 years. She looked at me attentively, which was something, but said no words. “I’m Patti,” I said, “your wife. We’ve been together for 23 years.” Read more »

Over the years, we learned that gender too was one of the seeds that would only emerge in time. How beautiful it has been to watch as our beloved child has bloomed, in gender and identity and expression. Read more »

Have you ever felt frozen after hearing the news of a traumatic event or catastrophe? After the sadness and reality of a traumatic event or catastrophe situation have settled in, you’ve probably also experienced the sinking feeling that there isn’t anything you can do to “fix” the problem. We hate acknowledging that difficult ...Read more »

Many of us have long since mastered the art of despair. Many of us have fallen into despair’s trance, memorized by thoughts of suicide. Read more »

Well-meaning people explain that it doesn’t matter what religion I choose, but I must choose, and only one. Only then, they say, can I go truly deep into a religion. Read more »

Optimism is often held up as a cardinal virtue. No matter the situation, we feel we should be plucky, searching for that silver lining, and courageous. Yet… Read more »