Quincy Jones’ Prayer

Got this prayer first from Tom Geddie, who perhaps got it from this source in Austin. It’s the oldest version I can find online. It’s worth repeating.

This text comes from music writer, Michael Corcoran, who says this:
“At the end of his two-hour keynote address, Quincy Jones asked those in the packed ballroom to stand and join hands. And everyone did. The Love maestro has that effect on people. Then he asked them to repeat the following words:”

“On this day…
I will mend a quarrel.
I will search out a forgotten friend.
I will dismiss a suspicion & replace it with a trust.
I will rather say, “I’m sorry I did” than “I wish I had.”
I will write a letter or an e-mail or a text or a tweet to
someone who I miss.
I will always approach my creativity with humility and treat my
success with grace.
I will fight against the dumbing down of our culture.
I will encourage a young person who has lost faith and hope…
…And constantly remind him or her to stop stealing music.
I will keep a promise.
I will forget an old grudge.
I will fight for a principle.
I will express my gratitude to God every day.
I will tell someone I love them.
And tell them again, and again, and again.
And again. And again. And again.”

This is Michael’s review of the speech, which is also a good read. Among my favorite quotes is Cochran’s last sentence:

“We’re all crazy or we wouldn’t be here,” he said. “But if you think you’re more than a terminal for a higher power, you’re kidding yourself.”

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Eric Folkerth is a minister, musician, author and blogger. He is Senior Pastor of Kessler Park UMC United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Previously, he was pastor at Northaven UMC in Dallas for seventeen years. Eric loves to write on topics of spirituality, social justice, music/art and politics. The entries on this blog reflect that diversity of interests. His passion for social justice goes beyond mere words. Eric was arrested at the White House, defending immigrants and “The Dreamers;” and he’s officiated at same sex weddings. Eric was the 2017 recipient of the prestigeous Kuchling Humanitarian Award from Dallas’ Black Tie Dinner. (Human Rights Campaign) Eric has led or co-led hundreds of persons on mission trips to build houses and bring medical care around the globe, to places such as Mexico, Haiti, Russia, Guatemala, and Nepal. He is proud of have shephereded Highland Park UMC's construction of ten Habitat for Humanity homes, (and one Community Center) and helped forge an alliance with Habitat that led to the construction of 100 homes in Dallas, housing thousands of people. His wife, Justice Dennise Garcia, has 20 years experience as a state district judge and appelate justice in North Texas. First elected in 2004, she was the first Latina ever elected to a Dallas County state district bench, and she she left that position whe was the longest currently serving district judge. In 2020 Dennise Garcia was a elected as a Justice of the 5th District Court of Appeals for Texas. She is currently running to be Chief of the 5th District Court of Appeals in the 2024 cycle. They have the world’s best daughter, Maria, who is a practicing professional counselor in Dallas. Find links to Eric’s music-related websites, at the top of this site’s navigation menu.

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