Be Inspired

Our spirits are fed when we take time to contemplate our relationships and the meaning of our work. Use these prompts to reflect on your thoughts and emotions.

Watch Guided Meditation Videos

Reflecting on Worry, a Guided Meditation

Watch Video

Reflecting on Hope, a Guided Meditation

Watch Video

Try these reflection exercises

“Trust in the slow work of God.” Read More

“I am building a cathedral to my God.” Read More

“I am Creator's servant," she said with boldness. "Let it be for me just as you have said.” Read More

“In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house and went off to a lonely place and prayed there.” Read More

“Whatever is inside your cup, is what will spill out.” Read More

The sound of a bell Still reverberating, or a blackbird calling from a corner of the field, asking you to wake into this life, or inviting you deeper into the one that waits. Read More

“Saints see things in their connectedness and wholeness. They don't see things as separate. It's all one, and yet like the Trinity, it is also different.” Read More

“The word compassion is derived from the Latin words pati and cum, which together mean 'to suffer with'. Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.” Read More

“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything else seems hopeless.” Read More

“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Read More

“None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.” Read More

“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.” Read More

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Read More

“It takes commitment to change and even deeper commitment to grow.” Read More

“Who is my neighbor?” Read More

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” Read More

“No man becomes great on his own. No woman becomes great on her own. The people around them help to make them great...” Read More

“No greater glory, no greater honor, is the lot of man departing than a feeling possessed deep in his heart that the world is a better place for his having lived.” Read More

“The man of faith, of energy, of warmth... steps in and does something.” Read More

“I'm not going to continue knocking on that old door that doesn't open for me. I'm going to create my own door and walk through that.” Read More

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life...” Read More

Two bricklayers are asked, "what are you doing?" The first replied, "I am laying bricks." The second replied, "I am building a church." Read More

“Spirituality means waking up. Most people, even though they don't know it, are asleep... ” Read More

“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.” Read More

“When we perform an action, the invisible within us finds a form and comes to expression. Therefore, our work should be the place where the soul can enjoy becoming visible and present. The rich unknown, reserved and precious within us, can emerge into visible form. Our nature longs deeply for the possibility of expression in what we call work.” Read More

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” Read More

“God has planted deep within each of us a call to co-create and to meaningful participation in community.” Read More

“One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.” Read More

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Read More

“I was wrong. I'm sorry. I don't know. I need help.” Read More

“We know what we are, but we don't know what we can be.” Read More

“We must strive to do ordinary things extraordinarily well.” Read More

“Who are you looking for?” Read More

“If it took all of that darkness for me to finally come to a place of real light, then the darkness was worth it.” Read More

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Read More

“Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.” Read More

“Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.” Read More

“When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.” Read More

“Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Read More

“You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong.” Read More

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Read More

“You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.” Read More

“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.” Read More

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "what are you doing for others?”" Read More

“Each person deserves a day in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us." Read More

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new. Read More

Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future. Read More

The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy. Read More

Over every mountain is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley. Read More

A great accomplishment shouldn’t be the end of the road, just the starting point for the next leap forward. Read More

No one has ever become poor by giving. Read More

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness. Read More

The saddest day has gleams of light, the darkest wave hath bright foam beneath it. Read More

Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen. Read More

If in the twilight of memory we should meet once more, we shall speak again together and you shall sing to me a deeper song. Read More

Help us to be ever faithful gardeners of the spirit, who know that without darkness, nothing comes to birth, and without light, nothing flowers. Read More

A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age… Read More

Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts. Read More

Above our life, we love a steadfast friend. Read More

We have to laugh. Because laughter, we already know, is the first evidence of freedom. Read More

Everyone wants to be seen. Everybody wants to be heard. Everyone wants to be recognized as the person that they are... Read More

Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received. Read More

The tragedy of life is often…not in our living above our ability, but rather in our living below our capacities. Read More

Wisdom is not taught... systems are taught. Wisdom comes from experiencing life, or it never comes at all. Read More

The agony of my feelings allowed me no respite; no incident occurred from which my rage and misery could not extract its food. Read More

You are not obligated to finish the work, but neither are you free from beginning it. Read More

To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top. Read More

Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life. Read More

Being loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Read More

I want us to delve deeply into our own hearts so that we can truly lead from within. Read More

Character, like a photograph, develops in darkness. Read More

As high over the mountains the eagle spreads its wings, may your perspective be larger than the view from the foothills. Read More

When I use my strength in service of my vision, it makes no difference whether or not I am afraid. Read More

Each time dawn appears, the mystery is there in its entirety. Read More

Come, live in my heart and pay no rent. Read More

If you don’t live the only life you have, you won’t live some other life, you won’t any life at all. Read More

No one belongs here more than you. Read More

Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like a fire. It burns it all clear. Read More

Sometimes when you’re overwhelmed by a situation – when you’re in the darkest of darkness – that’s when your priorities are reordered. Read More

Growth itself contains the germ of happiness. Read More

It’s not the thing you fear that you must deal with: it’s the mother of the thing you fear. Read More

God, grant me the serenity… Read More

Sadness is but a wall between two gardens. Read More

Truly, love is delightful and pleasant food, supplying, as it does, rest to the weary, strength to the weak, and joy to the sorrowful. Read More

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. Read More

The value of a work lies in its newness…the discovery of unknown worlds or the exploration of unfamiliar areas in worlds already discovered. Read More

Normality is a paved road; it’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it. Read More

Repentance is accepted remorse. Read More

There’s nothing I value more than the closeness of friends and family. Read More

None knows the weight of another’s burden. Read More

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy. Read More

It’s not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. Read More

Hope, although rooted in the past and acted out in the present, receives its energy from the future. Read More

Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time. Read More

Hope will never be silent Read More

Throughout our lifetimes, we encounter many beliefs and respond to a variety of demands on our time and energy. Read More

What assumption of mine can I examine? How will my bestself act today? Read More

How might I help someone notice their inner beauty today? How can I appreciate the richness of difference? Read More

The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears or the sea. Read More

I have taught myself joy, over and over again. Read More

No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear. Read More

Equality is the soul of liberty; there is, in fact, no liberty without it. Read More

Wellness Connection: Resources and tips for your well-being Read More

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence. Read More

Sacred Stories

As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all. Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.

Always A Reason

Listen

A Celebrated Farewell

Listen

God’s Perfect Timing

Listen

The Power of Being Present

Listen

Fulfilling a Last Request

Listen

Our Famous Patient

Listen

The Gift of Citizenship

Listen

Inspirational Quotes

Peruse these quotes to find words of wisdom, an inspirational spark or a little something to smile about.

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.

— Barbara De Angelis

When you say "yes" to others, make sure you are not saying "no" to yourself.

— Paulo Coelho

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

— Mahatma Gandhi

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.

— Amelia Earhart

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

— Lao Tzu

Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.

— Albert Schweitzer

If your compassion does not include yourself, it’s incomplete.

— Buddha

Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.

— Joseph B. Wirthlin

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but the seeds that you plant.

— Robert Louis Stevenson

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.

— Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.

— Henry Van Dyke

Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.

— Bob Kerrey

Gratitude Corner

Our health care providers and staff on the front lines put our patients first every day, and the communities we serve are saying thank you.

Making a Difference

Volunteers give so much without asking for anything in return because there’s no greater reward than rewarding others with kindness. Thank you to all the volunteers in our communities who serve the common good.

Great Big Thank You

Have people send in or tag posts of themselves with a giant thank you sign or even a letter in the word "thank you". Post as many as possible every day so that the Instagram grid for each of the hospitals is completely taken over with thank you messages (as opposed to being only scheduled posts). Could also work for FB feed or stories.

Spotify Playlist

Playlists are being developed with our frontline staff in mind to put them at ease and allow to relax. (Country music, rock and roll, pop and classical.)

Heroes Work Here

Signage and a set of instructions developed and ready to ship to facilities who wish to have a special greeting for the staff entering the facilities.

Handwritten Thank You Cards

Cards can be ordered and distributed as needed through an online ordering system and single print resource.

Cheering Squad

As employees come to work each morning and evening shift they are cheered, clapped, thanked and celebrated by the departing group. Elevate this initiative with messaging and handheld signs to bring this warm welcome to life alongside familiar faces.

Thank You Care-a-Van

Inspired by EMT vehicles flashing lights in Phoenix, Tweet out times for the people in cars to show up at the hospital (ex: during shift change in the evening) and either coordinate cheering with windows rolled down or honking or flashing lights.

Be Inspired

"The Heart of Every Community is its People."

Breathe, Smile, Feel Good

Together is the Way Forward

Humanity Will Light the Way

Reflective Pause

Sacred Stories

Inspirational Quotes

Inspiring Social Media

Gratitude Corner

Making a Difference

Great Big Thank You

Spotify Playlist

Heroes Work Here

Handwritten Thank You Cards

Cheering Squad

Thank You Care-a-Van