The Priestess Is In

Watch Both the Beauty and the Moat for Peace

Reply

I’ve always loved visiting castle. They seem so romantic in those novels.

But most of them were built to withstand sieges. Those moats weren’t things of beauty (and they often threw the sewage in) but built to drown knits in mail and chain armor.

Additionally, since i have a hard time seeing myself in the midst of a siege, they weren’t clean or comfortable to live in.

And that’s where the romance goes poof for me!

But many of them are beautiful and soar over the towns built around them. Today that’s tourist attraction and history teller. The moats, while free of sewage and knights in white armor… will still as the sign shows you eat cars. So put on your parking break before you settle in for your coffee break.

But all of these things, the danger, the wars, the history, the moat… they all teach us about Peace if we look for the clues. It’s the Peace we want to know about. For me it all leads back to building Peace.

Finding the Peace in Bathing Fairies

Reply

My brain, always darting about. Since my “illness” (shall we call it that?), it’s even less tethered than usual. Trusting that I’ll see more connections as I heal.

So when Lorraine sent me a picture of this beautiful silver “lake,” what else would I see but a place for fairies to bathe?

We can’t, particularly in these trying times, let our child-like wonder and imagination disappear. Occasionally, we have to come out and play. Because we have no idea what will spark our imagination for Peace.

Rainbows, Friendships, Peace

Reply

Everybody loves a rainbow it seems. I laughed last night that my niece posted a very similar pic (although it’s true, hers included her oh-to-cute lil boyo as well). But Evans girls finding joy.

I love looking at this pic because it’s beautiful, and I still love the mythology that surround them — but this pic was particularly fun because Lorraine and I, my friend of 50 years, were standing together looking at beauty and an arc that joined two points together. Since Lorraine and I live 5000 miles apart and it was the day before I was leaving on the train, it felt not only auspicious, but comforting.

But Rainbows always remind me of Peace and now friendship. Friendship always reminds me of Peace too.

Do the Tides Take Us to Peace?

Reply

The duck gets on the ice floe and goes in its direction. Where the wind blows off they go.

Is there Peace in this direction (if you can stand the cold feet)? Is there Peace in every direction and up to us to recognize it?

When do we paddle like hell against the wind, when do we ride the floes? Is Peace in both places? In every place? Are we Peacemakers enough to know and to Peace?

Love Letters and Peace

Reply

Ah, youth… At least I think we can blame defacing trees on youth… it seems so romantic then and trees so permanent… and love so overwhelming. Although love, it seems is always overwhelming.

But this pic made me laugh and made me remember the joy and the passion (and if truth be told, the heartbreak and deep sorrow only possible in the years of teens and twenties. These days I just don’t have the energy for the drama!)

But love. It’s important to know who we love. It’s important that we love the sweet self-involvement of passion to deepen into love the sustains not only us but also our communities. Love is the ground that Peace grows in…

Tree houses for Peace

Reply

I know that tree houses are a country thing — in countries that have trees that support them. But to have sacred spots in the woods  — even for those of us who are not outdoors gurls and guys… is a lovely blessing.

I don’t know what it’s like in places that are not like mine, you’ll have to tell me…

But there are places we each hold sacred. In those places we touch Peace. Where is that in the world for you?

Window Shopping, Memories, Laughter, Peace

Reply

No, i don’t want a pair of 8″ brown suede heels — but I have fond memories of some brown suede heels I owned in high school. they were grown up shoes. They went with very little I had, but they did spark my mom’s longing and imagination.

Seems a plenty good reason to laugh and remember, no?

It’s the little things that bring us Peace, just a moment of Peace.

I bet most of us have some little something from our past, that when we see today’s equivalent, make us remember and make us smile. We all have memories, even if the scale varies. It’s good for Peace that we remember them, and share them with one another.

I just wish my mom had had the courage to buy the shoes for herself. That would have been a different kind of Peace. But I’ll take this one. I’m sure Lorraine had no idea how sweet a memory she was unleashing when she sent me a photo she called “window shopping!”

Letting Go of Expectations; Doing the Peace Work

Reply

Snow in June is not what you expect, even in Sweden.

But that’s the thing about expectations. They get in the way.

No it’s not usual to have snow in June. (and we didn’t and Sweden may have had it in May). But when it happens, it’s just what it is. Railing against it doesn’t really change much, does it?

Expectations get in the way of Peace and Peacemaking.

I’m good at having high expectations. That has its pluses. I find people often live into your high expectations. But sadly, I’m also good at letting them and my irritation when things go differently than expected get in the way of my Peacemaking. I have to remember… All I am saying is give Peace a chance. I’m saying that to me!

 

Not Enough Fanfare about Peace

Reply

I think it’s time for the liturgist to figure out how to celebrate being an American. It’s a bit of a defiant step… most of my friends are used to seeing themselves as outsiders.

But now is not the time to cede our civic pride. I believe now is the time to stand up and say we are Peaceful Patriot Citizens. We serve our country. I’m so proud of all the many ways we do our work for Peace. We can proudly disagree with others and still claim our space.

Why this today? It’s National Day in Sweden and this was the pic Lorraine sent… Gives me a month to reflect and plan… How do Peaceful Americans celebrate the 4th of July?

Wish the weather were as sunny and beautiful here as in the photo! But, rain or shine, the work of Peace is always with us.