Peace Crossing

There’s the bridge. What are we going to do?

Do we need to acknowledge that the world is bigger? Do we stay here in our little world and work at fixing the problems? Do some of us do one and some the other and do we stay in touch?

How does Peace get made and shared out among the world?

And, of course, that question is really how do we make Peace and share it with the world? How do we manage the communication. Because it’s good to make plans to stay in touch before you leave. Let’s move with deliberation and consideration. But let’s cross the Bridge into Peace.

Holding Stories, Holding Peace

It’s a horror to understand that our local woods were completely destroyed by logging. Pennsylvania has so many trees, it’s hard to comprehend that these are second and third growth trees.

Ancient witnesses to life were clear cut and used for progress… Who knows how the climate changed then.

But at least this one tree was felled, hewn into planks and set to span a creek so that folks could get from one side to the other. The slabs of wood are about 4 inches thick and have served for almost 200 years. The bridge was covered to keep the weather from rotting the wood. So it’s never been replaced. I’m sure someone knows how old these trees are. All I know is that they’re ancient and beautiful.

They welcomed the stories of friends with 50 years of history this summer, just as they welcomed the stories of those who built the bridge, just as they welcomed the stories of those who sat beneath them when they were much younger trees.

This is an ancient, Life-supporting Valley that grew these ancient trees.

Let us give thanks. And let us make Peace with the woods and the wood that has born witness…

Building Dreams, Building Peace

We have to start somewhere to build our dreams. We have to start where we are.

Some dreams are quiet and personal; others demand public acknowledgement.

Sometimes we just have to state: “I am here. I have dreams. My dreams and I matter.”

We must take the wisps of dreams we begin with and give them a good foundation. Dream in Hope, build foundations of Peace.

That is the way to realized dreams. That is the way to Peace. Let us begin.

Rising in Peace

This was a lovely shot of a Moonrise on the Susquehanna… and it was even more lovely being there. We ate apple dumplings and stood and watched the Beauty…

It’s not a full Moon right now, but it reminded me of the health forum I went to on Monday evening. There were a couple hundred people in attendance. There were interesting and informative speakers. (And as my friend pointed out, You could get a glass of wine.)

Even as we were absorbing a lot of not so hopeful information, everyone there was feeling the power of the room.

More than once I could hear Maya Angelou’s prophetic voice: “Together we rise.”

May it be so. May it be in Peace.

The Sweet Peace of Completion

Some tasks just really require completion. You have to be orderly about them. They have to be done in a certain order. And if you skip the details, you pay more.

Ah… suddenly details are a much more attractive prospect for me!

And my system encourages me… If I procrastinate, I have to get something else done that I’ve been, er, shall we say, postponing.

So by the end of my tax days, my house is in order AND I’ve completed my tax preparation. Big check.

Wasn’t Connie, the lady who called to remind me that today was my appointment, surprised that I was so pleased to hear from her. “I know you’re delighted,” she caroled. Well, actually I was. I had just finished the last tittle and jot. Done. So we giggled.

Giggling is a good end to any project. I had a little energy left, so the finish project mode continued a bit. There’s Peace in a job that’s done! And I’ll take it!

Have a good one.

The Peace of Returning Spring

Woodpeckers knock, knock, knocking on heaven’s door, or my neighbor’s tree.

Heron’s standing in stately poses at their lunch counter.

Spring is returning. The Peace we make changes season… Still we must peace!

Incessant Drops of Peace

I don’t know how many icicles we’ll see today, since it was warm enough yesterday that much of the snow melted off the roofs.

But the image of the incessant dripping of drops of Peace has stayed with me. Peace is hard won. We have to stay at it. We have to be little drops of Peace to make the changes we need in this world. Little drops of Love and Kindness. Little drops of Justice. Little drops of Peace. Bit by bit, change will come.

Twinkling and Tinkling for Peace

The Sound of the icicles and the beauty of them — ahhh, Spring snows bring a lot to our lives. (I say that just in from shoving the last of the snow into the street so they can plow tomorrow — if it doesn’t all melt before then.

Let us celebrate those things, rather than bewail their existence. Spring will come… all the sweeter for being waited on! And in the meantime, there is still beauty!

Peace, my friends, and a lovely Sunday.

Snow and Icicle Peace

It’s all fine and dandy when the sun’s shining… The challenge is being fine and dandy and allowing ourselves to be filled with the mystery and beauty when it’s gray and threatening — again.

It’s easy to chafe against the cold and damp. But the weather is what it is. and after all, it’s March. March is filled with gray days. No sense being at war with an entire month!

Find the Beauty. Explore the Mystery. Make your Peace… and start spreading it around!

Let’s Make Ripples for Peace

Mostly when I think about ripples, I think of something gentle, like these. It’s easy to consider soft ripples of Peace being made from small, positive actions.

This morning however, I admit that I’m worried about the tsunami of ripples that may occur in people’s lives, due to changes in our infrastructure.

To remove the things that made people safe and helped them thrive. To remove the things that made people discover. To remove the things that made America, America.

This morning I’m discouraged.

And yet I remember, in a matter of a couple weeks, a group of people who didn’t know each other, in a little Valley that has never before been so active, formed a coalition and have pulled together a forum on Healthcare with all the major players in the Valley. There’s a ripple for Peace to celebrate.

Let’s make some more. Here, there, and everywhere. So the people might live… and thrive.

Sacred Village

Building a World of Peace, Village by Sacred Village.

Posts