by Katy Carpman, Director of Religious Education
What Books Help You Live Your Life?

Adapted from the Story for All Ages, 10/13/13

In our Living Text Project we consider what stories are important to us as we live our lives–from sacred texts and other books we love and from the episodes of our own lives as well.

This week I posted to Facebook–what is a book that inspires you?  Thanks to those who responded!

If I had to lift up ONE book that helps me to live my life, it would be…

Horton Hears a Who.

Horton is an elephant who is just minding his own business when he hears a soft and tiny voice- “Help!”  Horton does whatever he can to save and protect this little voice.  Why?  Because a Person’s a Person, No Matter How Small.

Let’s say that together.  A Person’s a Person, No Matter How Small.
EVERYBODY–all of us, let’s lift our voices.

Yes!  And when Dr. Seuss wrote this book, he was not just talking about people who are small or not fully grown yet–he meant anyone who was powerless, who needed help to have a fair chance in life.

As Unitarian Universalists, we talk about the Inherent Worth and Dignity of All People–how all people are important and deserve respect.  We talk about working for justice and everyone needing a voice.
Those are some big issues to find in this skinny book.

You might be thinking that those are pretty universal ideas, found in many books.  And you’re right–especially if you’re looking at comic books.  What’s the line from Spiderman?  With great power comes great responsibility? *

It’s also a central message to the Bible – this thick volume is full of so many stories of how to take care of others, to work for justice–to make sure that widows and orphans and foreigners get a fair chance.  And the story of the Israelites is one of a small group of people learning to raise their voices as one, to work together to become a mighty people.

There is much to be learned in these pages, and I am so glad to be able to learn with all of you.

*And yes, I know the Spiderman/FDR/Voltaire/Bible issue.  Sort of goes to that universality point, doesn’t it?