Published 3-14-11 - The Religion Network publishes every Monday
ON TODAY'S SITE:

Kalidasa, Simon Jacobson, Book of Romans, Book of Psalms
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Photo by Chuck Bowman      All rights reserved

Salutation to the Dawn

Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
lie all the verities and realities of your existence;
the bliss of growth;
the glory of action;
the splendor of achievement;
For yesterday is but a dream,
and tomorrow is only a vision;
but today, well lived,
makes every yesterday
a dream of happiness
and every tomorrow, a vision of hope.

Hindu
Attributed to Kalidasa (circa 4th-6th century)
Classical Sanskrit writer

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The Modeh Ani:

"I offer thanks to You,
O living and everlasting king,
for having restored my soul within me;
great is your faithfulness."

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In Judaism, this beautiful prayer is offered immediately
upon waking, even while one is still trembling in the state
between sleep and consciousness. This time is selected because
certain truths are unaffected by our wakeful knowledge and/or
sleeping psyche. One's faith in G-d is one of these truths. So, this
prayer is purposely said at that moment of the day when one is
neither fully awake nor completely asleep. In this one special
moment of the morning lies the unique opportunity to declare
a truth that inhabits our deepest selves, to declare what
we already know to the awaiting day.

Simon Jacobson
MeaningfulLife.com

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Let love be genuine; hate what is evil,
hold fast to what is good;
love one another with brotherly affection;
outdo one another in showering honor.

Never flag with zeal, be aglow with spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice with hope, be patient in tribulation,
be consistent in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints,
practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.

Romans 12
The Holy Bible
Revised Standard Version