Blessed Unrest

Borderlands UU explored "Blessed Unrest" in February of this year as a part of our recognizing what our congregation and faith mean to us here in Southern Arizona. Thanks to Jerry Leggett and Martha House who brought the theme of Blessed Unrest to us, we dug deep into our individual and congregational awakening our world.

Today, we awaken again. Our world more deeply interdependent within a pandemic and called to the work of racial justice.

Take a moment to hear "Blessed Unrest" as performed by singer-songwriter Zo Tobi.

In 2007, writer and activist Paul Hawken, wrote a book called Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming. At that time Hawken recognized human beings were working in small ways as a part of a global movement for social and environmental justice.

Hawkens states that Blessed Unrest doesn't have a single form or philosophy, other than it is life giving. In his book he wrote:

The world simply appears out of control. Too often, however, such problems seem insoluble because of how they are managed -- with ideological, top-down, oligarchic, militaristic management styles. If we tried to consciously control our bodies, we would die, just as the planet is dying. We don't manage our bodies because we cannot. We can, however, protect, nurture, listen to, and tend to them with food, sleep, prayer, friendship, laughter, and exercise. And that is all the planet asks from us: allies, rest, nurturance, respect, celebration, collaboration, and engagement.

During last Sunday's Baja 4 Service (CLICK HERE to view) Rev. Matthew invited us to feel the lamentations that are emergent in our heart. Lamentations are yet another way to express Blessed Unrest.

What is your Blessed Unrest?

What is the Blessed Unrest you feel right now? Do you feel like lamenting or allying with our world? Do you feel like resting or getting up and out? Do you need nurturance or do you need to nurture others? Is the Blessed Unrest you feel about offering respect or celebration? Or is it about seeking collaboration and engagement?

This space is for whatever expression your Bless Unrest is taking right now. It can be sharing your thoughts and feelings, a poem that speaks your Blessed Unrest, or an image. Rev. Matthew will receive all submissions and repost them below.

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Harlem
by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Offered by Dorothy

"peacefully advancing the need for stopping violent police encounters"
- Barb M.