Hope and Love and Peace

There is so much ugliness in the world. Some of it is huge and stunning. Other pieces are simply small and petty. Today I’m tired of it. Today i long for something different, even while knowing we’re what needs to be different..

It’s time to say no to hate. We can’t do that by being hateful. We don’t need to allow hate, but we don’t need to join it.

So no. Peace, I say to you, Peace. Real Peace. Peace with Justice. Peace with Hope. Peace with Love.

I’m sorry, I’m not going to let any of us be lazy about it. Too many lives at stake. Peace be with you — and with me. That’s all I’ve got. Today’s a good day to Peace.

Peace of Short Days with Lots to Do

The start to Winter Holidays were long cold nights when everyone was crowded together inside and no one went out but to hunt and care for the animals. And in days when the days were not about gifting and more about celebrating and dancing (ok, and probably drinking), the holidays were probably more fun.

However we got to lavish and wildly expensive gift giving, I’m not excited.

This year I’m scaling back. I say this who was always a lousy giver of gifts! I’m giving gifts to the kids and the adults are getting donations to important organizations that will change our world. And suddenly, I feel so much more generous. It makes me happy. It makes me feel useful.

It also lessens the amount of crazy running that I do. And who wouldn’t celebrate that? And truth be told, it shifts my sense of loss of family to a connection with the wider world. I have family, whom I adore and of whom I am fiercely proud and for whom I’m incredibly grateful. And now I have a world that I feel responsible to, as well.

The holidays are wonderful if we fill them up with people we love and fun events. They become less so when we stuff them with assignments. Whatever you ponder during your holy days, why not give yourselves some down time to do that. Mull some cranberry juice, or some wine, light some candles and settle in.

Peace is in the beauty, not the crazed running around. Find yourself a lovely slice of Peace and consider your world — all its beauty — and all the places you’re going to use your powers for good!

We’re needed. And so is the Peace we bring, in Winter’s lovely short days and beautiful long nights and all the rest of the year, too. Let’s Peace.

Snuggling Into Winter Peace

You really are supposed to get more sleep in winter. Our bodies are built to sleep when it’s dark.

Mine agrees with the sunlight. I force myself to go to bed earlier and I grumble if I can’t sleep later than usual.

It’s about repairing and filling up. We not only owe ourselves that, we owe our lives that. Rest and regeneration. Quiet times at home. Candlelight. Laughter. Peace.

Right, we have some Peace to make in the quiet. and Peace to plot about. Peace to dream about! Can’t dream without sleep!

The Peace of a Little of This in a Lot of That

There is always in the season that is coming a bit of the season that is leaving. And when we’re deep in the season that is, there will be whispers of the season on the rise.

lt’s the beauty of our world. And it’s the bane of human existence, which likes this or that, rather than this and that… but here we are. And Autumn still lingers, just a bit, lending its blessing to the days ahead. We’ll take that blessing and be grateful. Even as we anticipate an entirely other kind of beauty.

Peace, it’s always changing; always complex. Just like the seasons… Aren’t they all incredibly beautiful? Peace be with you, my friends.

Winter’s Peace of What Is

Look at those critters. One day they’re munching on grass; the next they’re hanging in the barn. Oh, they say, sleeting. I’ll stay inside and eat. Oh, they say, Look, there’s grass, I’ll eat that tasty treat.

Humans spend so much time railing against what is. That’s not what I wanted, we cry. Hello, weather! Hello, season. Hello, Life!

This is what we have. Dress appropriately. Eat winter foods. Move about getting on with life.

We can’t make Peace if we’re worrying about being in control of the uncontrollable. We make Peace with our attitudes and acceptances. Oh, this is who you are! Well, Peace. Some of it is that simple. When it’s not simple we have more work to do. Peace. Now.

Winter’s Wiles, Winter’s Peace

Every season, I think, well, this one’s the favorite. And I know, I always have trouble letting go of the outdoor swimming — but that’s not because the turning of the leaves doesn’t seduce my heart to gladness.

And you’d think, looking at these grey chilly days that I’d be whiny about the mix… but hey! Baby, it’s cold outside! and it’s Winter. And it’s beautiful.

If we’re complaining, we can’t see Winter’s Beauty. And then we miss Winter’s Peace. Why would we choose this? Why would we not admire? Why would we not Peace? Because Winter? Will be here either way. Let’s work with the Peace we have.

Winter Food; Winter Peace

This time of year, it’s so easy for our taste buds to crave carbohydrates. But no matter the season, we still need our veggies. There are not very many of us who live those heavy labor outdoor jobs that require lots of carbohydrates to get through the day. Then with 29 holidays between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are ‘way too many reasons for cookies!

Because we’ve had no more than one hard frost, there is still kale growing in my landlord’s garden — and they are so generous with their renter!

There are all sorts of winter vegetables for us to eat… And we should. This salad’s a pretty delightful offer: warm parsnips and pears on arugula. Oh, Yum! And you? What are you eating that’s good for you and incredibly yummy? What are you sharing with a friend and family.

Peace is made by happy, healthy people.

Short Winter Days, Long Winter Nights, Peace

Wherever you live, however much Sunlight falls or doesn’t on your days, it’s always the right day to make it a day of Peace.

Night is so beautiful. Day is so beautiful. Winter is so beautiful. So are Spring, Summer and Fall. Peace adds its own incredible Beauty.

The Sun, the Moon, the Stars, and the Earth bring the days and nights and seasons. We bring the Peace. They’re doing their job. Are we? Now more than ever, we must Peace.

Get Out in the Peace of a Winter’s Night

Cold weather, clear skies and stars! Nothing more extraordinary.

And yet it’s become extraordinary. No where near enough walking around outside in the dark. It’s a fun family exercise; it’s a fun neighborhood exercise.

And the dark and the cold are beautiful. They’re an integral part of life.

What if we all just decided not to hate winter this year. What if we decided to embrace it and it’s unbelievable beauty?

Why throw away half of life? Especially when it’s beautiful!

Peace is in the long Winter’s night. Promise.

Until We Know, Peace

There are a lot of fears right now. Few of them feel unjustified, but all of them are unknown…

I will stand firm on my beliefs and proudly beside those who are targeted, but I’m not ready to aimlessly gather to mull around until I know what’s really in the works.

What I will do, every day, is work for Peace. I will focus on neighborliness; on being a good friend. I will step up.

Yesterday, the Mosque 60 miles down the road, received one of “those” letters. It was a hate-filled, ignorant threat. If they organize a rally, I will go. In the meantime, I will stand with my neighbors here — and sit and have coffee, giggle over the silly things in life, pray about the horrors, and educate myself. That’s what I can do. That’s what Peace asks of us. That’s what Love asks of us. I continue to think that we need to learn to be the people who walk each other home.

Peace. Love. Understanding. Let us be those people.

Sacred Village

Building a World of Peace, Village by Sacred Village.

The Priestess Is In