Day 4... softness

Light shines through the darkness. A softness of the landscape exists despite the stormy skies…

“...but the basic message I’m trying to convey is that to the degree that each of us is dedicated to wanting there to be peace in the world, then we have to take responsibility when our own hearts and minds harden and close. We have to be brave enough to soften what is rigid, to find the soft spot and stay with it. We have to have that kind of courage and take that kind of responsibility. That’s true spiritual warriorship. That’s the true practice of peace.”

— Pema Chondron

A softening of the heart and mind…

Opening what has been closed…

Resiliency…

All the ways that so many have been hurt… each one of us most likely in someway shape or form.

… perhaps it’s not the original instance that caused all of the hardening of the heart and mind but rather what we did after the fact. Holding on to the hurt and pain.

Letting go once again… to allow our hearts to soften.

This little book is filled with wisdom. Pema Chodron is a Buddhist nun and has written many insightful books. While the book is short, it’s a simple read for an evening or spread out over a few mornings. I’ve returned to these mini-chapters over and over.

I have not provided a link for this book. I am intentionally working to increase my purchases from local shops or using the library. I certainly have a ways to go in this area… Wouldn’t it be grand if local bookstores were able to thrive once again? Bringing young children to the local bookstore to become fascinated and intrigued by books…

Daily peace tip #4.

What can/will you do today to allow your heart to soften?

If you do yoga, perhaps a physical way would be to focus on heart-openers.

Maybe a walk to clear the mind and let go of stale thoughts.

A break from being indoors to get some fresh air…

Other ideas to share?

peace, one stitch, one step (if able), one breath at a time…

Christina

Note: photo taken in Reawick, Shetland; October 2019

Day 3... food and peace

“Without food, there is no peace.”

— Anonymous

Bottom line, no food, no peace.

But is there a way to foster our relationship with the items we consume day in, day out to promote peace?

Can we approach each bite, each meal with wonder?

Can we slow down to savor the flavors?

To be in awe of the energy it takes to grow/produce our food…

What a better way to connect with self than to cultivate a positive relationship with the food that nourishes and sustains our bodies.

There’s wonder, mystery, and awe in so many of our foods…

Daily peace tip #3

Today, as you eat each meal, pay attention to the food. Savor the flavors, the texture, the aroma, the moment…

Slow down and enjoy the meal, create space in your day to be present when you nourish your body.

For so many (but most certainly not all and that’s a different post), food is a choice.

Peace and “good” food…

What foods can you choose to eat that will promote peace in your life?

Note: All photos were taken in Shetland, UK. Garden photos are from Transition Turriefield

Day 2... a mantra

LESS

is

more

As the days get shorter and the darkness sneaks in earlier with each day,

beneath all those leaves, so many leaves, the foundation appears.

What was once hidden from our view,

is now exposed yet dormant, vulnerable yet safe.

It is here in the woods that stillness teaches us the way.

Less is more, letting go of the old, resting and recharging, preparing to emerge yet again.

Daily peace tip #2

Be intentional about creating space for peace. Identify a time and/or place you’d welcome stillness into your day. Perhaps you’d like to do this in the early morning while the house is quiet, or the evening when the daylight slowly slips away, or maybe it’s taking some time during the day to pause at your desk or on a park bench.

Be like the trees, less is more. Let go of something from your list of daily expectations.

What will you let go of for the next 21 days to allow you time to make space for peace?

I’d like to encourage you to leave a comment… your words might just be the spark someone else needs to read.

Day 1... what is peace?

“Nothing would be done at all if one waited until one could do it so well that no one could find fault with it.”

— John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

This quote has been at the forefront of my mind for the past 2 months… it’s been relevant at work, home, as a knitwear designer, and writer. Yet that fear of providing inaccurate information, not knowing all the answers, or not communicating clearly has kept me from moving forward. In September, I said I wanted to blog during the fall months on the topic of climate change… and then when I needed to write, I didn’t have all the answers, I got stuck, and “nothing got done.”

And now, here I am, showing up to focus on peace for the next 21 days with all of you. And yes, I’m going to talk about climate change and how that relates to peace and knitting. We’re going to talk about birds and food and water and houses and places and peat and soil and seaweed and peace, peace, peace. I don’t have all the answers or facts but I do know this topic is vitally important and the dialogue needs to begin.

This year has been like no other for me thus far… I’ve learned more about the world and history and politics and racism and the broken food system and this precarious place we find ourselves with an extremely bleak forecast for the future than ever before. Yet, it’s also a year I’ve learned more about peace from a personal and academic perspective, met the most inspiring people, had the opportunity to visit new as well as familiar places, and how to have hope in these tumultuous times.

Blending the lessons learned from this past year is what I aim to carry forward in the next 21 days. I’ve read incredible books this year and I can’t wait to share… because they are about food and nature and peace and hope!

So, let’s talk peace.

What exactly is the meaning of this word?

Is it a state of mind?

A physical sense?

Can you see it?

Feel it?

Be it?

These are questions for each one of us to answer. And while the best definition of peace eludes me, I know that the only way to peace is to intentionally choose peace each day. I suppose that brings me back to the initial quote… the more I focus on peace, learn about it, study it, work to embrace it, I become aware of all the ways I fall short of choosing peace. And there again, the quote at the beginning rings true.

If we wait to be perfect, the model of peace, before we begin talking about what peace means, nothing will get done.

Peace is a journey, a process…

Today begins our intentional focus on peace with simplicity… just to “be” during this busy time. For me, this month is truly about slowing down, reclaiming December as one for quiet, still mornings, connecting with family and nature, embracing the darkness with appreciation for the need to rest and renew.

Daily peace tip #1

At a recent conference (on peace), one of the keynote speakers talked about her daily gratitude practice… each week for a year, she wrote down three words to capture the essence of that week and then drew a simple corresponding doodle. If interested, why not try this during our peace-along? Whether you choose to keep a notebook/journal/sketchbook or even just a piece of paper by your bed. Why not write down three words that capture your day.

Give-away #1

This year has inspired me to reduce, re-use, and share… I have more yarn than I’ll ever be able to knit and I’d like to pass along some wonderful yarn… so, I’ll send along a skein (maybe two) of fingering weight yarn and some Project Peace stitch markers in a simple fabric bag to one lucky recipient that leaves a comment in response to the following:

What does peace mean to me?

Comments will close on December 6 at midnight.