I had originally planned to use this space to provide simple, once-a-month ideas for Unitarian Universalists who are looking for easy ways to put our UU Principles into practice every day at home. And since I am also of the optimistic sort, I hoped that this space would also be filled with contributions from UU families everywhere who are implementing these and other ideas in their own homes as well.
While these ideas still have an important place in my overall vision for this blog, it alone seemed a little incomplete. So in true form of a lifelong UU, I have endeavored to turn a simple idea into something a little more complex than perhaps it ought to be.
Weaving UU principles into one’s home and life isn’t just as simple as starting a new tradition; blazing a new trail brings with it its own brand of baggage. How do we explain new traditions to our non-UU family members and friends? How do we confront a culture that doesn’t always recognize our Principles or even our religion? How do you encourage your child to remain confident in the expression of her UU values despite the fact that her peers awarded her a not-so-flattering nickname, “petition girl,” after her latest effort to ensure that the authorities at her school would actually step in and defend those being bullied because of their looks? Or something like that. You know, just as a hypothetical example. Ahem.
The point is that navigating through life as a UU can be challenging, messy, and, at times, let’s face it… it can be downright funny.
So while I will contribute a monthly suggestion to help you survive as a UU@Home, I will also share my insights from my own experiences as a lifelong UU who also happens to be a parent, young adult, and religious educator.
Welcome Home!
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