Mystery, Wonder, Joy, Awe — Peace!

We need to keep paying attention! Mystery abounds — if only we look for it!

Moments like this happen — and they can be a jolt to remind us that Beauty and Awe and Wonder and Joy are alive and well in this world. And where they are, there can Peace be also.

But we have to notice and take the time to experience the Mysterious and the Beautiful. And then we have to use that glory to work for Peace.

The world offers us so many reasons and so much encouragement. Why not use them for good? Let’s Peace, for all the right reasons!

The Peace of Light at the End of the Day

Sometimes, in addition to our thoughtfulness and creativity, it is time that makes the difference. Whether it’s what softens the heart or what gives the penny time to drop; sometimes time can allow things to settle into place.

Sometimes perhaps it’s the in-breaking light through the imperfections that helps us. Leonard Cohen says, “Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”

When that happens, there’s nothing to do but offer a heartfelt thank you — and accept the Beauty and the Peace.

Peace: Getting Along

These guys are great teachers. Here they are, hanging out in the sunshine. One of them nibbling grass the others… oh, are they waiting for treats? Shared snack time? Will there be a nap afterwards? Naps are good for Peace.

I’m always much more willing to be friendly if I’ve had my nap!

When we see this we need to think rather than… Oh, look, animals can get along!… Wow, Let me do some getting along work myself.

“All we are saying is give Peace a chance.”

Wow! There’s Peace in the Neighborhood!

Some friends are helping me remember that there’s more generosity out there than we realize, and we need to not give into the fear.

All of us seem to clutch our fear to our chests. It’s what we know. It’s how we roll. And it’s completely counterproductive to Love. Too many times, it tells us untruths.

So, in a very conservative neighborhood, a gay wedding has sparked nothing but wishes to help and joy in the invitation.

We can keep bridging the gaps. And celebrating life. And it will all just get deeper and sweeter.

And maybe we can work together. Maybe we can Peace.

The Peace of All Our Relations

I think there are two things (at least for the purpose of this writing!) that we often forget. Change is constant. We’re all connected.

So it’s always this and that. Each season has within it both the season before and the season arriving. The land grows fields and trees according to whim both Earthly and Human. The clouds and the blue replace one another endlessly.

We are all these things. We are every kind of person.

We need to stop acting as if that were not true.

We need to Peace. let us Peace.

Autumn Views of Peace

Autumn is coming. The question around here is whether or not it will come in wild color since we’re in the middle of a drought. In that case the trees preserve their energy and settle down for the winter, dropping their leaves early in the season.

One way or the other, fall will be beautiful here. There will be gorgeous, crisp, clear days and we will rejoice (while kvetching about the fact that the days are shorter). There will be chilly nights to huddle under blankets and sleep deeply. There may well be, as the equinox implies: some balance.

And beauty. There is always beauty. Scott, the photographer, lives a block from where I grew up. His snaps out the back window always bring sweet memories. We live alongside a beautiful river! Both branches of it! Wishing you all the Peace of the Autumn Valley.

Food, Diversity, Peace

I think Peace requires more talk about food.

I’ve known a few people in my life who don’t like food much, the eat to survive kind. I’ve known a few more who only eat what they’ve always eaten. But most people I know really like food and are willing to try something new.

Sara, the Religious Ed person at church, was talking to the little kids many of whom listed food like thai or sushi as their favorite foods. Kids will be adventurous if you are.

Part of Peace could be helping people understand that new people bring new and wonderful foods from their culture with them. Let’s be excited about what people eat! Let’s get to know what they eat. Let’s get to know them!

I laughed when i realized how international road side stops are. Filled with travelers from all over the country and world, offering foods from many places. Sure there are hamburgers, but there is often tacos, pizza, schwarma… Peace has good food!

Rain the Rain of Peace!

In the last three days we’ve gotten 1 3/4″ of rain. When you’re down by almost 10 inches, that’s a huge blessing. The earth is so thirsty.

There’s more due this evening — Just a little. Just a chance. But perhaps.

And there are rainy day activities to undertake. Reading in bed in the morning is one. And changing out the Summer clothes for those more appropriate to the chill. I’m not entirely happy the warm weather is gone… but everyone had closed their pools anyway. Nothing left to do but join the gym and start the early morning swimming. Which I did.

But the Earth rejoices and we rejoice with her. Blessed be the Autumn rains. Blessed be the Peace they bring.

Peace Is Where We Are

Trish took a wonderful picture that screams end of Summer. The Sunset is a Fall beauty. The family in the boat is a family sneaking in one last, lovely memory of Summer 2016.

Time to take the Summer toys home and put them away. Now it’s cool and rainy — and oh, do we need the rain. We’ve gotten more than an inch in the last two days and two more days of rain planned. I just had a cozy beginning to a Saturday morning — cuddled up to finish a new mystery. A perfect slow rainy beginning to a busy weekend.

Time to pull out the fall/winter clothes. Time to clear out everything that’s left over from the summer, finish up that last writing and begin the new. My beloved guests are home in their lives, I’ve started cold weather swimming, time to order the velour and get ready for cozy, busy Fall.

Peace may look a little different this month than it did last, but Peace is right here, waiting for us to discover it, to pursue it, to promote it, to make it. Peace of a rainy Autumn morning to you my friends.

And enjoy this last memory of a lovely Summer.

Welcome to Peace Land

I can’t imagine how difficult it is to feel you have no choice about leaving your home.

But if you can’t feed your children, if you have no hope for work and a future, if you are targeted for execution, if your home no longer exists because of war and bombs, then I don’t even think it’s an act of courage as much as an act of resignation and determination to save your life, to save your family’s lives, to be free.

In this case (and in many others, I would argue), there can be no justifiable argument for not opening our doors.

My friends were just here from Sweden. They spoke with great compassion about the fact that more than 1,000 people from Syria and other places are living in their town and what the community is doing to welcome them. And their voices were full of sympathy when they talked about how hard it is for them, and full of joy when they talked about the new stores popping up, and full of derision when they talked about people’s sanctifying culture which changes anyway. We let our fear overcome our hearts… and don’t check to see if the fears are real…

But in the land of Peace, all comers are welcome. Safety and respect are the boundaries we will keep. Peace. Welcome.

Sacred Village

Building a World of Peace, Village by Sacred Village.

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