Circle of Peace, llvl

Yesterday I received a call, asking me if I were free to perform a wedding. He and his partner are taking advantage of the new changes to the law in Pennsylvania and choosing to protect their relationship of many years. He called me because he had participated in a celebration of life service that I did.

Turns out that the memorial was for a dear friend whose wife is one of my besties. The poignancy of that connection was piercing. And where did I go in the midst of all that sniffling? Well, right to this week’s picture-perfect puzzle piece of the Sky. There we were, this world and the next, neatly folded together.

So that’s another piece, the way someone’s vision inspires and explains my own. another easy fit. Something you can find if you open to the possibility of its being there. Something that is there if you ask…

And, today, there will be another picture. How can it be as wonderful as this one? I often ask myself that… but then it is. and it is because the seasons keep turning and something shows up that’s worthy of our notice. And that’s the lovely sacred, sweetness of Life and Joy and Peace. We have to make space for the Wonder and the Hope, or people won’t pay attention. Yes, that’s our job, making space for the incredible. Sometimes just saying Oh, look at that, changes everything. It’s pretty simple if you think about it.

Life moves from Winter to Summer and back again. Life moves from Death to Commitment. Live moves and we get to be part of that — and we get to have companions on the way. Pretty damn’ sweet!

Peace: Fantasy and Reality, llvl

The picture Deb took this week has really rocked me. I look at it and see another possibility… another world. It stirs a childhood fantasy to life that there was/is another possibility for life just beyond the cupboard door (or the station wall, or, or, or…)

Now it may be that I live in that fantasy… look at the projects I invest in, Love Flows, Peace… all ridiculous pipe dreams, but are they. They’re pipe dreams we choose to invest in. If we live la vida local and really choose to make a peaceful difference where we live, if we promote Justice, which I talk about all to infrequently, but which is the heart of Peace, then we can start Peace in our little corner of the world and let it spread. And what really, if we decided to make this the Valley with No Hungry Children? What if we just changed our world? We can do that. If each of us takes a neighbor’s hand, life can be different.

And, for me, it’s that fantasy that reminds me. I believe the role of fantasy is not so much to take us away from the real but to remind us what could also be true. I’m particular about what I read… I’m not giving into despair and cynicism. I like my read to be a good one, but I’m not interested in people’s pulling things apart because there are plot malfunctions. I’m longing for the dream. Let us dream dreams. Let us see visions. And then, let’s make this a much sweeter world…

Distraught about Peace, llvl

Sometimes I can stay focused on the Work and the Progress. Peace is an incremental thing. And it’s unfolding is sweet. When you see the ways la vida local changes and softens, and sometimes even larger swathes of life change, you can keep the plate of Hope spinning.

And then there are periods like right now. It seems like there’s so much bad news. Nothing but mayhem, violence, greed and outright stupidity. Makes me feel as if i’m running around smelling the roses growing over the septic tank — that’s covered in quicksand.

What is wrong with us? What’s the hatred about? I have a friend who writes about the rising of the Feminine. I’m not seeing it. It’s a litany of hope i raised for myself 30 years ago… and right now, i’m seeing death and mayhem. I’m confronting rape. Not individual rape, like having to talk a sweet young woman through it last year. No, wholesale, impersonal, widespread violence aimed at eviscerating young women and their hope in the future, in drowning their bright potential in ugly fear.

The rage I feel is enormous. It’s not to say that i don’t continue my work. Yesterday, I sent letters urging folks to write letters to their House Reps and Senators to agitate for PA House and Senate Bill 300, which would end legal discrimination against GLBTQ folk in housing and workplace. Won’t end the hatred, we’ve a long way to go on that, but at least it gives people rights. I spoke to a friend who works in a Representative’s office in Harrisburg. It looks like it should pass. But, you never know. Time to help the elected officials understand it matters to us. As my friend says, “for goodness’ sake, we have an anti-discrimination law in the state government, you’d think we could enshrine this in the law.” You would think.

Sometimes we need to sit with the anguish. We can’t allow ourselves to drown in it, but we should hang out with it. And at the same time, keep making Peace. I leave my head in these contemplations, but turn my heart toward Love. The haters can’t have me.

Rage and Peace, llvl

Something about this last week has sent me scurrying to find a professor’s article, written sometimes in the 80s. It’s entitled “The Power of Anger in the Work of Love,” written by Beverly Wildung Harrison. It’s been a hard week. I’m grieving and deeply despairing. More children killed. Women targeted, again, again, again.

I’m trying to figure out how to channel my rage, which is powerful, for the good. How to stand fast. I’m also trying to figure out how to forgive myself for not being on this, at this. It’s not that I haven’t been doing good work in the meantime. But for the Love of All That’s Holy…

I don’t know who’s quote this is, so if you see it again, email me, but it talks about someone’s asking men their greatest fear about women: that they will laugh at me. When asked, women responded: that they will kill me. How can one-half the world’s population be in fear for their lives from the other half?

This is a failure, to teach, to train, to assert, to do the work. It’s time not only to say out loud (in case you hadn’t noticed!) that I’m a Feminist and to say to the women coming behind us that if they aren’t Feminists they are condemning their sisters to more of the same. It’s time to say to our husbands and brothers and sons: You must do something. The issues isn’t #notallmen, the issue is #YesAllWomen. Dammit. Now.

I know I’ll find equilibrium sooner or later, but I don’t mind that my anger will make people uncomfortable. that my RAGE will make people uncomfortable. Rage is the burning fire that burns through obstacles. Is it dangerous? Yes. Are we beleaguered? Yes. Can the world continue to support this. No. Listen. Take Counsel. and Speak.

Women will not be made free by putting them in smaller boxes. Equality brings freedom. Equality brings Peace. Peace now.

Surprising Peace, llvl

Sometimes you surprise Peace. Sometimes Peace surprises you.

Tuesday’s ruling was a surprise. Even though I’d been seeing rumors, I hadn’t really been able to allow myself to hope. Could it really happen? Could such a thing be true?

For years, I’d thought what I’d heard, this will only happen when the Federal Government acts against all state bans. The work, in this state, was against the thousands of small villages and townships and cities and their codes that specifically allowed discrimination in housing and workplace. Enough small changes were made that SB & HB 300 are finally in the legislature and look like they have a fair chance of passing. Even our antediluvian governor seemed predisposed to sign this.

But then, boom. And there was dancing in the streets. It’s only now, a day or two later that the wonder sneaks in. If you have witnessed the pain of elder lesbians and gays, years of solid relationship under their belts weeping at young couples’ blithely assuming the right of hallowing their relationships, laws be damned, it doesn’t seem real or possible that, just like that, life is different.

The surprise isn’t lessened when you’ve tried to make your life a Prayer and a Witness for the change. It’s only compounded, I think. So many people for so long have lived in fear or at the very least been forced to accept their position as less than.

Here in a state where the assumption was that Life and Possibility could not stretch that far. and yet they have. Grace. Peace. and overwhelming Joy. Thanks be, to the All that Is!

PA Marriage Peace, llvl

I live in Pennsylvania. I find it quite beautiful. There are many things about it that make me very happy. Here I am, living la vida local in a village full of nice people.

And, yet, all the jokes about how backward we are often sting with truth. Tuesday some of that changed. Not so much because people went out of their way to change it, but because the Federal Court said, “no, this is hateful. We’re better than this.” Thank you. And certainly, there are people who are still unhappy, who feel that their rights have been taken away because someone else has gained theirs. Oh, no, they say, I don’t want to see people (usually men) doing x, y and z. that’s nasty. (OK, I started 4 sentences, couldn’t get anywhere but ranty in the x-rated category.)

There’s still work to be done. HB & SB 300 which would prohibit discrimination in housing and workplace has yet to be passed. But there are even signs that that will pass (go right ahead here’s move on‘s version and here’s change.org‘s, sign either!)

But as a woman on of whose online monikers is the wedding priestess, let me just say i’m really happy. It’s ‘way past time for people’s relationships to be recognized by their communities, by the state and, I believe, by their faith traditions. Not all faith traditions agree with me… ok. But our beloved separation of church and state allows your tradition to believe as it does while not allowing it to abrogate anyone’s rights.

So I am grateful for this much needed striking down of a hateful law. I’m proud to officiate at weddings and proud that my tradition encourages that. I believe we will be better for that. You don’t make Peace by excluding folk. You do make Peace with Love. Let’s hear it for Love! Wanna get married? Call me.

Sacred Grammar Peace, llvl

I’m one of those people who writes her way to what she thinks. Hard for my friends who think things out on the inside. I love blogs and sermons for that reason. Write ’em and redact! (less fun when I’m talking, i know! oopsie!). But I often find things in my writing that I didn’t know was in there. Last week it was Peace advisories. This week it was Sacred Capitalization. (wait for tomorrow to see what comes next! bet yourself something fun if you win!)

I don’t know how significant this is to anyone else, but for me it’s a way of preferencing the words. Use more of the sacred words which have that tiny caress and fewer of the non-sacred. Talk about what I want to grow toward and spend less time thinking about what I want to grow away from.

so Peace. Love. Happiness. What are your Sacred words. What feels holy in your mouth?

Birthday Peace, llvl

What a wild ride today will be!

I’ve packed some ashes and Deb’s baby spoon for the tree planting. I’ve tucked the brass music stand into the car for this evening’s performance. Hankies to cry with, and scales to warm up. (and oh, yes, the music!!! eek. still a couple rough spots… but the high notes seem to be right there… life, the challenges and the blessings.

but all in all, there is love, love, love and I’m the luckiest woman. Lucky in friends. Lucky in family. Lucky in work. Lucky in community. and oh, lucky in Love.

I’m going to pack all the lovely messages I’ve received into my heart and use them for fuel for the year to come. What if this could become the Valley with No Hungry Children? What if? That’s what I want for my birthday! Wanna Play? Together… Peace.

The Peace Between, llvl

In my mind, I separate the peace we find in our souls with the Peace we make in our world. I don’t believe you have to peace (little p) to be working on Peace (big P). I fear that, too often, we’ve substituted the pursuit of our own calm and beautiful center for our struggle for the well-being of the world.

That said, we can’t neglect ourselves either. Life is here to be lived in. Selflessness is overrated, I believe. Selflessness does not often embrace the richness of life, and what a crime that is. So it’s a balancing act…

Some people don’t find flying easy either. The first time I flew in a big plane, I got on in NY and got off in Sweden. I was hooked. New worlds at the end of flying. (The first time I flew in a little plane there was The Sound of Music at the end… who knows where my friends took me.) So who didn’t want to fly. I’ve almost always flown alone. And that’s lovely for me. And flying with Steve is a fairly solitary event, since as soon as he gets on a plane, he drowses… and I’m back in my little world. Just me and a brand new book with a fun place at one end and a fun place at the other. Well, hopefully. Not all my flights have been to fun destinations, but most of them have been to Love…

This country is so vast and so diverse in the landscape. And there we are in our little silver tube sliding along. It somehow feels very like being part of the river moving from a source to a delta… at least for me.

I suppose this is particularly true because when you fly between Love, life is busy on either end and flying is solo and silent and rejuvenating… and somehow so very hopeful. So, even if I have a hard time getting my clock reset. Even if there were a billion people to see and not a lot of downtime there and a billion things to do and not a lot of downtime here and those wonderful things are my Life and my Work… in between, I’m part of that lovely silver river of Silence, sliding under the bridge… and then, time for Peace and Peace Work again. Counting those blessings…

Peace Here and Now, llvl

I’m away visiting family, so I guess my wind up is slow. Certainly is this morning as I write this a long while after waking up!

It took me until the end of the week to notice how the angel was a little black and white slice in that pile o pansies and daffs. I liked that life was vibrant.

When people ask me what I think about the afterlife, I often reply that I don’t. Well, of course I do, I have many dead loved ones. I like to think that they are up there having a great time and will be happy to welcome me home. But that’s wishful thinking… imagining, kinda… But I don’t have a “sound theological understanding” of heaven, because — I don’t think it matters.

I reserve most of my thinking for the here and now, because that’s all I can affect. Things aren’t working well. Are they working worse than they have? I don’t know, I don’t find that helpful either. There is work to be done. There is Peace to be made. There is appreciation to be given.

All we read is war and hate. It’s our turn to start making headlines for Peace and Love. We need to do what matters. We need to turn from the negativity. It’s not about the nos… it’s the yeses that matter. Let us be the ones who give Peace a (fighting) chance! Let’s be those who work for connection and community.

Sacred Village

Building a World of Peace, Village by Sacred Village.

Tag Archives: love