The Centered Place Newsletter

November 2026

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• No classes Tuesday November 10 through Friday November 13. We'll be away for those days. Classes resume Saturday, November 14.
• No classes Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday November 25) and Thanksgiving day (Thursday November 26). Classes resume Friday, November 27.

More Illuminating Words 
in Challenging Times

This piece on hope is Nancy's submission for the Art & Frame Gallery in West Brookfield. Owner Rebecca Faye invites anyone who wises to submit art (measuring 6" by 6") expressing how they feel about the "State of Our Union." The showing of the contributed pieces will continue through November 20th. You can still submit your art until then. There's also a raffle in which you can buy tickets for beautiful art works from local artists (including one of Frank White's woodturning work, and you can see more of his works also on show at the gallery). The proceeds go to the Sharing Cupboard Food Pantry.

Did you take a close look at Nancy's piece above? There's a lot to see (and overlook!). Start at the ❤️ at the top of the H of Hope. Read the positive qualities right to left and spiraling several times around the center four qualities. Each quality in the spirals is listed in alphabetic order, one for every letter, and then some. The words are printed with the colors of the inclusivity flag to include every one. Then all that is surrounded by the largest spiral with Om Namah Shivay — we are all one, we are all Shiva (Divine).

Two Prayers

From the Facebook page of the First Congregational Church, West Brookfield. Submitted by Pastor Doug

Prayer for Bringing Our Our Best in Difficult Times

God, help us recognize the opportunities we have to care for one another, especially in difficult times. Make us people who bring hope, offer support, and remind others that they do not have to carry their burdens alone. Amen.


Prayer of Gratitude for Rain

On this gray day, we celebrate the nurture of the rain. Thank You, God, for the grace of water falling from the sky, for the nourishment it brings to the earth, and for the sustenance it provides to all living beings. Help us to see the blessings in every drop, to remain patient in discomfort, and to serve others with a grateful heart. Rain Your blessings upon us, and let our spirits be refreshed as the land is renewed. Amen.

My life philosophy begins with gratitude.

Written a month or so ago by Glenn Aparicio Parry, author of Original Politics, Original Love, and Original Thinking

"I remind myself every morning that it is a miracle to be alive, to receive just the right amount of light, warmth, and energy from a sun that is 93 million miles away, to breathe in the same oxygen that the ancestors breathed (thanks to the plants, trees, and phytoplankton), to drink the same water that has been circulating since time immemorial, and to stand upon the same ground that our ancestors did on this beautiful, precious planet. I pray out of gratitude each and every day I am alive.

Yet I am struggling, like a lot of Americans, to make sense of what is going on...

Why should we remain positive? Because it is always better to water the seeds you want to see grow in the world, and give them the light, air, and fertile soil to flourish. Positive thinking is the only way to imagine and bring to fruition a better future for succeeding generations. Nothing beneficial ever began with negative thinking. I pray daily for a shift in consciousness, one that understands, as Jimi Hendrix did, that the power of love is greater than the love of power. When we fully realize this truth and act from a place of love, respect, and compassion for all, we can mobilize and support genuine candidates with integrity and vision…."

Encouragement from the late John Lewis

"You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone — any person or any force — dampen, dim or diminish your light … Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won."

― John Lewis (1940 - 2020), Americancivil rights activist and statesman who served in the US House of Representatives for Georgia, from his memoir Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America

Photo courtesy of NPR.org

Good News to Bring Hope and Inspiration

Rebuilding Mosques Brings Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims Together After Violence

A famous Muslim mosque and Sikh gurudwara stand side by side in Lahore, 
Pakistani Punjab – credit, the Walled City of Lahore Authority, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A story from goodnewsnetwork.org

In the Indian state of Punjab, Muslims are now watching Sikhs and Hindus rebuild old mosques destroyed after the Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.

Emotional to say the least, the inter-faith community building project is being led by many old enough to remember the strife which ripped across the state. A portion of this ancient and proud land was allocated to Pakistan and another to India, dividing families and homes—sometimes literally—in two.

Sikh and Hindu families are donating land, money, bricks, and their own labor to restore and build mosques for their Muslim neighbors.

In one village, a man from a family of Hindu priests donated the land for a new mosque, then threw a feast for everyone when it opened. “Everyone in the village, Hindus and Sikhs together, contributed what they could,” he said. In another village, the push came from someone you might not expect."

Meet the mosque’s unlikely champion

Other good news bits (click links for more information):

📈 Despite recent setbacks, things are looking good for democracy

📈 A record number of women elected for governor across the US

📈 The European Union announces a 15-year probationary period for new member states, aiming to safeguard the bloc against leaders who might undermine democratic values

📈 The UK is planting half a million trees in the next three years

It's been over a month since a devastating flood swept through Nepal, washing away entire homes and communities within minutes. Over 1,450 people have died, and over 5,000 are still missing. 

The news coverage has slowed, but the emergency has not. 

When any crisis strikes, Save the Children is among the first to respond and the last to leave. Save the Children serves children in crises around the world, getting to the hardest to reach places to ensure children are safe and cared for.

Save the Children is recognized by CharityWatch as a Top Charity for Child Protection. It's on Charity Navigator's list of Best Charities for Refugee and Immigration.

"I have seen firstand everything Save the Children does to keep children healthy, happy and safe. Any amount will help make change for children in the U.S. and around the world."

~ Jennifer Garner (right), Save the Children Ambassador and Trustee

Want to send a check? Download the Offline Donation Form and send to:

Save the Children

501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400

Fairfield, CT 06825

Sharing Cupboard Food Pantry

We continue collecting donations of money, food and other items for the West Brookfield Sharing Cupboard Food Pantry. Monetary donations are always welcome. They allow the Pantry to shop locally and fill its inventory more quickly as immediate needs arise. 

You can drop off your donations of food or money anytime at The Centered Place, or bring them directly to the Pantry the second Thursday of each month from 11am – 1 pm or 5 – 6:30 pm. Or call 508-344-2682 to make appointment.

The Sharing Cupboard entrance is at the back of the First Congregational Church on 36 North Main Street, West Brookfield (across from the Common).

Current needs: coffee, tea, cereal; holiday foods such as cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, pumpkin; instant mashed potatoes; cake mixes and frosting.

"It's hard to think we have so much and some people have so little." 
~ Kathy B., frequent contributor and student of The Centered Place

Checks can be left with us or mailed to: 

Sharing Cupboard Food Pantry

P.O. Box 371

West Brookfield, MA 01585

Volunteers are always needed.

Sharing Cupboard Food Pantry

The First Congregational Church

36 North Main Street West Brookfield 508-344-2682

We continue fundraising for the World Central Kitchen (WCK), which will always need support for its many disaster relief programs in the U.S. and around the world.Thanks to those of you who have donated and who are donating monthly! We have raised over $1500 now!

WCK is already responding in Nepal after the devastating flash flood. WCK has been responding to the storm that knocked out power across Gary Indiana, to the hurricane in Hawaii and the recent earthquakes in Indonesia and Colombia. WCK has been serving Venezuela right now providing warm meals for earthquake survivors, emergency responders, volunteers and frontline workers.

WCK also has been in Gaza, Spokane WA, Spain and Southern France offering relief survivors and responders in wildfire areas.

• All classes are offered onsite and online
• You can join the Experienced class Friday mornings if you know the basic poses and require little assistance.
• If you are new or need assistance, start with Tuesday or Saturday mornings if you can, or sign up for a private introductory session (or even a series of private sessions).

The following buttons link to PDF files that you can download and print:

Seniors can have 10% discounts for classes (the retiree rate). Scholarships are available for those in financial need. Gift certificates are also available. Give a loved one a gift that keeps giving!

We have plenty of air circulation and air filters. Warm when it's cold; cool when it's hot.

If you feel ill, have a cough or runny nose, or might have been exposed to someone who has a flu, it's best to stay home. Feel free to join classes via Zoom.

Scent-Free Studio

Help us accommodate those who are chemically sensitive to fragrances and other scented products. Thank you!

Frank White, a long time friend and student (Saturdays) of ours, is an accomplished woodturner. Some of this work is currently on display at West Brookfield Art & Frame (10 East Main Street). Here are a few examples of what he has done

Numerous free audio recordings are available online. Listen from home or during your travels. Listen from your cell phone (using the new Gurudevi app), or from your PC at https://svaroopa.org/audio-recording.

Many videos of Gurudevi's discourses are available for rent.

You can also purchase numerous audios, such as the Mystical Yogic Breathing CD pictured on the right.

You can attend Satsangs in which Gurudevi presents discourses on yogic teachings and leads chanting and meditations.

You can also join Swami Nirmalananda online in meditation every morning, by subscription.

New books by Swami Nirmalananda are available.

For more information, see https://svaroopa.org/books

A master gardner's advice at the end of the growing season:

It is easy to come up with unending lists of garden tasks and chores to complete, but what is harder is slowing down and enjoying the garden. This must become a regular part of your routine. I walk through my garden daily, and yes, I make mental notes on what else needs to be done and what new ideas I have for further plantings, but I don’t act on them. 

The purpose of the daily walk is to observe, to be present, and to feel closer to nature. I find that this practice, especially given the news cycle these days, is crucial for my mental well-being. The joy and satisfaction the garden gives me help center and anchor my day. I even find that I have a degree of respect for the weeds in my garden; their tenacity, resilience, and tolerance give me the strength to face the day with those same qualities. After all, if a plant can do it, so can we! 

~ Ulrich Lorimer, director of horticulture at the Native Plant Trust in Framingham, and contributor to The Boston Globe.

The above graphic courtesy of truthinsideofyou.org

Video of the Month

A Drive-Thru Worker of 37 Years Expected a 'Quiet Farewell' on Her Last Day...Her Town Had Other Plans

After 37 years of turning drive-thru orders into personal connections, Sighle Williams expected a quiet farewell from a Florida burger joint — but her town has other plans.

Williams had turned fast food into a personal relationship with everyone who came. She knew every customer's background and children. Her kindness was universal. Her sister and niece could not take care of their kids, so she raised all five girls as her own.

On her final shift at the drive-thru, cars wrapped around the block. People waited in line for three hours to wish her well. They were laughing and crying. Each had a personal story how she made a difference in their lives. As a retirement gift, her boss gave her every dollar that came through that last day of her employment.

An award-winning Netflix documentary (The Last Order) is due out later this month. It tells how the town gave back to this hard-working, longtime employee.The documentary description says it's "the story of a woman who met the world with kindness through a drive-through window and made the most routine moment of someone's day feel like it counted."

This is the official trailer (2 minutes 2 seconds):

Dieting, Prayer and Fresh Bakery Treats

After starting a new diet, I altered my drive to town to avoid passing my favorite bakery.

I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and there in the window were a host of my favorite goodies.

I felt this was no accident, so I prayed, "Lord, it's up to you... if you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery." 

And sure enough, He answered my prayer. On the eighth time around the block, there it was!

Missed Call

My daughter Marina worked in my law office while she attended graduate school.

One morning a call came in for her. I said she wasn't in yet and offered to take a message. The caller said she'd phone back later.

At 11:00 a.m., the caller tried again, and I reported that Marina had gone to lunch.

The last call came in at 3:30 p.m. "I'm sorry," I said, "she's left for the day. May I take a message?"

"Yes," the caller replied. "How can I get a job with you?"

A Bad Sign?

Driving on Union Street in downtown Easthampton MA a few weeks ago, Nancy and I noticed "You Belong Here" signs on every block promoting local businesses. This one literally took us aback (we made a U-turn to get the photo):

Sign of the Times?

The Centered Place

286 Bridge Street

Warren, MA 01083-1210

(413) 436-7374

www.thecenteredplace.com

Email: info@thecenteredplace.com