Family Talk Peace, llvl

Someone remarked the other day how tiresome it was that no one seemed to worry about the simple courtesies. He thought it seemed that there were fewer pleases and thank yous.

I’ve noticed that people seem less aware of where they are in space in relation to the rest of the world. But maybe I’m just a grumpy old person.

Simple kindness, being present, being grateful feel like lovely things for us to teach — and lovely things for us to remember. Because it’s probably not just the kid.

And I can’t say the thoughtlessness we overheard last night was new. And we certainly weren’t winning any prizes for minding our own business. And I admit that the three of us are all fairly talented at eavesdropping — but (and actually we can’t remember the man’s opening salvo) it’s probably not a good idea to school another adult in public for their existence. It wasn’t like telling a child to sit down we’re eating, it was more like, “this is how you’ve made a complete mess of your life,” in front of eight family members at the table and a restaurant full of folk.

I’m betting that if we all refrained from leading with our beloved’s weaknesses, particularly in public, we might all have much happier holidays. Whatever we celebrate. Just a little thought about working for Peace on Earth, Joy to the World.

Stretching Holiday Peace, llvl

Since I was an exchange student 45 years ago and discovered that Sweden celebrated Second Day Christmas, I’ve been greedy about holidays.

Since I’ve married, I’ve had Second Day lots of things because we always get together with his family on the day after the holiday… 2nd day hurrah! Leftovers and Family, what a blessing.

This week I got a third crack at Thanksgiving. No leftovers were involved, but there was a meet up at a local restaurant on a hill overlooking the river. It was grand. Nancy, our historian, had brought along name tags from earlier Turkey Days from everyone who wasn’t there. Those who couldn’t make it and those we fondly imagine eating together at the Thanksgiving buffet up in the sky.

We take whatever opportunities we have these days… because they are few and we are fewer than we were.

Gather your families… time passes and Peace looks different a few years down the road… Giving thanks for what I have and for who I had in my life. Trying to stay present in this miraculous moment.

Keeping Me in Peace, llvl

Having purpose in your life is both exciting and seductive. Each and every one of us has something wonderful to offer. When we hone our skills and put them to work where they’ll be of service (or at least the best we can imagine), we’re making a difference and doing it in a way that helps us to flourish. it’s an all-round good deal.

But the problem with purpose is that it tends to be all consuming. It’s easy to believe that you have the only piece necessary to complete the Peace Puzzle. And so all your efforts get placed on the purpose, and few get concentrated on you and what you need to keep these efforts going.

You gotta find the balance. ok, ok. I have to find the balance. So, I’m making small efforts. Not going to talk about them, let’s give them a month to get rooted. And really, other people’s health and exercise regimens aren’t all that interesting… But it’s all about being present both to Peace’s needs and your own.

So… I’m trying. Because if I’m not making Peace with who I am and trying to make me more Peaceful… I won’t have it for the long haul. And Peace is definitely a long-haul business. Peace and health to you — so there can be Peace and health to the world.

Transitioning to Peace, llvl

There is no vida more local than our bodies. The majority of us grow up complaining about these temples, we’re too fat/thin, our mouth is too big/small, our hair is too straight/curly. We’ve all got a beef.

But there are those whose beef is bigger. Their self is completely out of alignment with their body. And that’s torturous. Society is only slowly beginning to be aware of this struggle. In small pockets, people are beginning to listen to their children and come to terms with their truths. Watch Katie Couric interview Jazz, a 14-year-old transgender youth.

But others are frightened by this and too many transgender folk pay a horrendous price for being who they are. Our fear and transphobia too often causes them to hate themselves. I couldn’t find the exact figures for the statistics on suicides and attempted suicides, but, here are some fairly stark facts (from Equality PA)

74% of transgender people report experiencing harassment or mistreatment at work;
74% of children in grades K-12 who expressed a transgender identity or gender non-conformity experienced harassment at school and 23% of those students experienced physical assault; and
49% (nearly half) of transgender people were verbally harassed or otherwise disrespected when seeking public accommodation such as eating in restaurant or getting on bus.

I’m so lucky to have Bill Stayton, world renowned sexologist as a member of my congregation. He’s leading/teaching/supporting us, at church and in our valley, as we come to terms with a life that is far larger than we’ve understood.

Everyone deserves to live in Peace. Transfolk have a hard journey to make. We may not understand, but we can be part of creating a world where there’s enough Peace for them to work through to who they are. We can be present to them as they become fully who they’re meant to be. Peace. Let’s make it. And let’s bear witness as people make it for themselves.

Evening Peace, llvl

I had different plans for Friday evening. After all, King Street Coffee House was kicking of the season. And then there was the lure of doing absolutely nothing after a day of running hither, thither and yon. (both yon and thither were a distance, let me tell you! even if some of it was only mental!)

But Elijah called and I don’t get to see Meghan and him all that often. So, I succumbed to the lure of local. It was great. Local gallery with two great businesses run by lovely friends. And then a movie I’ve been wanting to see at our fabulous restored Art Deco movie house.

Walking home, it was still a lovely, warm Autumn evening and the gallery doors stood open in invitation. In for a quick gossip and boom, the evening was over with no real effort from me. I didn’t drive anywhere, and the popcorn at the movie theater has real butter. ok, now. That’s a Friday night. And in a couple weeks, I can get to King Street.

It can be a rich life if you’re willing to live la vida local. And if you’re willing to work on the things that stand between this life and Peace. But hey, that’s why we’re here, right?

Peeking Peace, llvl

Sliding down my stairwell steps, casting rainbows on the wall. Twice a year, the sun celebrates its vacation at the equator and throws its light around at my house. Whether he hollers, “See you later!” or “I’m on my way!” the beauty makes me grin.

We have to celebrate these brief shining moments, wake up to them and be present to their glory.

There are a lot of things that are hard, but sometimes Peace is as molten as sunshine and as sweet as a dancing rainbow. Drink at the well of Peace!

Upright Peace, llvl

Who knows what metaphors are going to catch you… But the notion of being an upright person, upright citizen of my vida local, caught my heart.

I could see myself standing comfortably, balancing in an easy Tai Chi Position (casting no shadow), and being prepared for movement in whatever direction I was called to move. Pivot. Move forward. Step backward. I want my goals and plans and dreams for Peace to be written on my face, so that those who see me there, know that I will always try to step toward Peace.

I want to be stalwart and reliable for those who need a place to lean. If I am counted as present, then I can be helpful to those who need support. I want to be a building block for Peace.

An upright for Peace. Reminding myself of this two days a year may help me remember at other times what my work is…

Peace Shadows, llvl

We don’t live at the equator, so the sun casts a shadow every day. I’m so caught by the notion of standing still occupying only my place in the world.

Maybe on this day, we could consider choosing the kind of shadow we choose to cast.

I’m happy to offer shade. I admit I can giggle helplessly when my shadow does silly things like crawl across a floor only to crawl up a wall. I’m not one of those people, but I’m entranced by people who can make their fingers fly in the lamplight, telling a story of faces or animals.

But in the face of the climate change march, it was easy to think about shadow as a stain… as something we leave behind with our passing, something we do without noticing. It was interesting to consider that…

I want to cast a shadow of Peace. As much as I can, I want to be conscious of, to be present to, the trail I leave. Peace. Doing it. Being it. Casting it across the world.

Traveling Peace, llvl

My Sister- and Brother-in-law are getting on a train and setting out to see the Country. Oh, my goodness, it will be so fun!

I’ve driven back and forth a couple times. It’s so vast. The landscapes are so different. Oh, the taste of hunger on my tongue to see this Beauty. But plenty fun enough to live vicariously.

They’ve plotted and planned for this trip for years. I went to see them yesterday, they were so excited.

Plotting and planning for what you want. Now that’s a good thing. See the Beauty the world has to offer. Also good. Meeting people long the way. Pretty fun, too.

They’re people collectors these two, so they’ll have a whole bunch of stories to tell along the way and when they get home. They have a knack for being present.

Where do you Hunger to go? What do you Hunger for? And how are your plans coming along. Plotting and planning for Adventure. Plotting and Planning for Peace. Let’s do what we need to enjoy this life!

Prosaic, Poetic Peace, llvl

Peace is in the little things, the little moments. We had one of those moments last night. A quiet time with friends, gathered around a table feasting on late summer bounty and later gathered around a living room feasting on our companions’ words.

Oh, I was grateful to be included in this group of wordsmiths, grateful that my words claimed their own space, different, but clear. And grateful that I live somewhere where spontaneously people will gather to say what they believe in stately measures while others will listen and gasp and nod. Is there more that we can ask than the sweet magic of every extraordinary day.

Today I spoke to two artists at the coffee shop, women who immerse themselves in textiles, opening up both pattern and sensuality to those of us who find it in words… or somewhere else.

This is everywhere… but it’s so apparent here, because there’s more space between the people. You can see more easily what someone else is up to. It’s not always a beautiful sight, but it so, so, so often is. Peace in words. Peace in silk. Peace in sweet companionship.

Sacred Village

Building a World of Peace, Village by Sacred Village.

Tag Archives: being present