May Spiritual Theme – Beauty
By Chalice Circle Facilitators

Our Monthly Spiritual Themes guide our Chalice Circles, which are small, intentional groups of members and friends that gather for spiritual enrichment through personal sharing. For more information on Chalice Circles, please email Linda Benson at chalicecircles@uuprinceton.org. Our Chalice Circle thoughts and questions around the theme of Beauty this month are: 

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ⎯ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
What kind of people do you think are beautiful?

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” ⎯ Confucius
Has there been a time when someone you were with experienced something as beautiful, but you did not? If so, what was the situation? Do you see it as beautiful now (or does it remain the same)?

“The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.” ⎯ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Do you have an example when the truth is not beautiful or when beautiful words were not the truth? If so, what is/was the truth?

“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” ⎯ Amy Bloom
What are the qualities and characteristics, perfect and imperfect, that make you whole and therefore beautiful?