Wellness Calendar: Thursday 20 November

Invocations for non-believers
In organised religion there is much pomp and ceremony throughout the calendar year, with people coming together in various observances. Then there is grace at the meal table, prayers for one’s self and prayers for the suffering of others. There is also gratitude, or giving thanks, to God for taking away sins and keeping people clean.
So what about non-believers? Where might they go? What might they say to invoke feelings of connectivity and to express their joy at being alive or their sorrow at other people’s pain and misfortune? Well, major life events are facilitated by humanist celebrants. There are dates and activities throughout the year such as International Women’s Day, Human Rights Day, Coming-Out Day, Anti-Bullying Week, World Wildlife Day, etc., etc.
Also, when anyone wakes up and opens up a door or a window and breathes in the air, there’s nothing to stop them giving thanks that they have yet another day of being alive. It doesn’t need to be a gratitude to someone or something. The saying, “There but for the grace of God go I” can easily become “There but for good fortune go I.” Instead of prayers, people can well-wish, sending their love, warmth and kindly thoughts through the ether.
Finally, here’s an example of a secular grace by Peter Lindenmayer:
“Thanks to the hands that brought our food
and those who worked to grow it,
What we receive from the plants and beasts,
and the earth for all we owe it.”