Tag Archives: peace

Learning for Peace, llvl

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Here at the National Sex Ed Conference. Although I am not a sex educator, sex education is certainly part of ministry… and the ability to talk about what’s good and what’s healthy and what is not is helpful. It’s also wildly important to be able to listen and to respond to people’s truths.

I’m filled with admiration for the people who are doing this work. Bless, bless, bless them for doing what is so often challenged, refused, excoriated. Bless them for supporting the people struggling to understand their lives and to heal from trauma. Sex is so central to who we are. sex and sexual and gender identity. So many strides are being made! Hurrah.

And I’m filled with delight because I’m here with colleagues. And not just any colleagues. One of the people is a father in the field. And he knows everyone. And he’s proud to introduce us. And we’ve met some MARVELOUS people. And Sara, my dear friend and colleague. I’m so proud of her and so grateful. She’s grabbing this and painting the most beautiful canvas of possibilities. Working with friends. gotta love it!

There’s a lot of Peace here. Some of it in the guise of uncomfortable truth. But darnit. No Hot tub… But there was swimming Peace, and you know how I am about that! At dawn as the sun begin to rise on the city. (THE City.)

LLVL49Dec4

Holy Daze Peace, llvl

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It’s the problem, isn’t it, with the holidays. We spend so much time as automatons, doing this, doing that, getting this done, getting that done that we forget the whole holiness angle. It doesn’t matter what your tradition or belief, there is something mystical and magical about the Dark. Stars! Snow! Beauty! ahhhhhhhh.

Instead, we tend to think about it, hunched up in our coats against the cold as an inconvenience… one more inconvenience… as we truck along trying to check things off our list.

Let’s try and give the Mysterious a 50-50 shot this year, what do you think? Let’s notice how incredibly beautiful it is. How meaningful the celebrations. Let’s toss the damned to-do lists and invite people over for mulled wine, or hot chocolate or a simple cup of tea.

Or make a date and go for a walk in the cold dark night. Look at the stars of the softly falling snow. Let’s not call back the light until we’ve lingered in the dark…

And help me (and probably you) remember that I have not been unfairly singled out by the Universe because I HAVE to deal with the batteries in my smoke alarms’ running out. It’s just what happens in the course of life. Let us be like the ducks in Deb’s picture. Finding our Peace in the Winter… Oh, Deb, the things you see!

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Housekeeping for Peace, llvl

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Sometimes you have to clear up the clutter around you so that life runs as smoothly as possible. Even when you’re working on important work, someone has to manage the every day stuff. And it should probably be you.

It’s easier to get back to the “real work” when the work of your life is caught up. I’m off to a conference this week. Just a few days, but things needed to get done. And I’m one of those sloppy people who can’t bear to come home to a sloppy house. And you know, snow… In this weather, if you’re driving other people through the Poconos, best to have those snow tires on. And the car cleaned out. And yes, the holidays are coming…

Peace needs a steady platform. Whatever you do, you need one too. Even better you deserve one, so give yourself the gift of attention. Providing yourself what you need is sacred work as well.

LLVL48Dec2

Stretching Holiday Peace, llvl

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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.

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