In the third installment of the Possum Feels Stressed video series, Possum learns about prayer as a spiritual practice (even though he doesn’t believe in God):
The first poem mentioned in the video is by Edward Everett Hale, a Unitarian minister:
I am only one.
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything.
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
The second poem mentioned in the video is by Universalist poet Edwin Markham:
Outwitted
They drew a circle that shut me out —
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took them in.
Full script for the video is below….
Here’s the full script, pretty much as it appears in the video:
Possum: Sharpie, you were going to show me some kind of spiritual practice that uses words.
Sharpie: That’s right. You’re looking for a spiritual practice that will help you feel less stressed out.
Possum: Right.
Sharpie: This time, we’re going to try prayer.
Possum: I don’t think prayer is for me. I don’t believe in God.
Sharpie: You don’t have to believe in God. Some prayers are directed at a god or deity, but there are also centering prayers, prayers for thanks (like saying grace), prayers to express concern for others, prayers to ancestors, and petitionary prayers which form an interesting philosophical puzzle that…
[Cymbal hit]
Possum: Sharpie, stop! You’re getting all intellectual again.
Sharpie: I’ll keep this practical. You like talking, right?
Possum: Right.
Sharpie: Well, some prayers are like short poems which you can memorize, then say out loud when you need them. So it’s a kind of talking, and it can be very calming.
Elephant: What are you two doing?
Possum: Oh, hi Elephant. I’m going to memorize a prayer to help me feel calmer.
Elephant: I love to memorize. And I need to feel calm. Can I try?
Possum: Sure!
Sharpie: Here’s the first Unitarian Universalist poem that I think works as a centering prayer:
I am only one.
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything.
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
Elephant [holding written copy of poem/prayer in his trunk]: I’m going to memorize this one!
Sharpie: Here’s the other Unitarian Universalist poem that works as a centering prayer:
They drew a circle that shut me out —
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took them in.
Possum [holding written copy of poem/prayer]: That’s the one for me!
[Possum reading poem to himself; time passes]
Sharpie: How did it go?
Elephant: “And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” Saying this has made me feel calmer, because it tells me that I don’t have to fix everything.
Sharpie: How about you, Possum?
Possum: I can’t memorize things. I guess I failed at this spiritual practice, too.
Sharpie: Did it make you feel better to read it out loud?
Possum: Yeah! Sometimes people try to shut me out. But this reminds me that love is more powerful than trying to shut people out.
Sharpie: Did this spiritual practice work for you?
Possum: Yeah, but … could we try another one?
Sharpie: Next week, I’ll have something new for you.
Possum: I can’t wait!