Day 12... peace-out

This week, I’m highlighting the incredible artwork of India Tresselt, a fiber artist from the Champlain Valley in northwestern Vermont. This year, she participated in Kate Bridger’s Made on Monday and titled her work, 52 Small Meditations on Peace. Be prepared to be inspired, her work captures the essence of peace. Thank you India for allowing me to share.

“There is always time for peace” by India Tresselt

This 5-letter word, p-e-a-c-e. Tiny yet powerful, simple and complex, tangible but distant.

We’ve used this word for years… a goal, a desire…

a journey, a destination.

We’ve used it casually in our daily language “hey, peace out dude…”

And made it the globe’s intent… world peace.

But today, I find myself needing a break, a time-out if you will. So much intensity going on, inside, outside, globally.

Maybe it’s the full moon and all that energy.

So, I decided instead of giving myself a time-out, a term that stirs up a form of punishment, that I’d give myself a “peace-out.” Not that casual, hey dude way of using the word but a pause today that allows me to step back and allow peace to be present in my day. To truly make time for peace.

Daily peace tip #12

Today, give yourself permission to take a “peace-out.”

A slow morning in the dark watching the light sneak into the new day…

Knitting a few rows in the quiet…

Savoring a cup of tea (or other beverage of your choosing)…

Make time for peace today. Slow down and let peace peak into your day.

~Christina

Day 11... random

We continue our focus on cultivating right relationships with others. I’m also highlighting the incredible artwork made by India Tresselt, a fiber artist from the Champlain Valley in northwestern Vermont. This year, she participated in Kate Bridger’s Made on Monday and titled her work, 52 Small Meditations on Peace. Be prepared to be inspired, her work captures the essence of peace. Thank you India for allowing me to share.

Random Acts of Peace by India Tresselt

Commit Random Acts of Peace…

Today’s note will be short today as I’m finding I really need to sit with this one. What can I do today that would be completely random and peaceful?

I love this concept as it builds from the “random acts of kindness” craze that was so popular a couple of years ago. Yet when you change the word from kindness to peace it seems to take on a whole new dimension.

I find myself committed to this phrase without fully grasping the “what” or “action.”

Daily peace tip #11

Today, commit a random act of peace…

There are groups of knitters making hats, mittens, scarves, etc and leaving them on trees with tags that read “I’m not lost, please take me if you need me.”

Make a food donation with some fresh produce to your local food pantry or market. Many towns/cities have an organization that makes a daily meal for those in need. Why not bring them something healthy and nutritious and fresh… even a bag of clementines! Remember good food is peace.

I plan on bringing a bag of clementine oranges to my office workspace and placing the bag in the mail room along with a little sign that says “peace.”

Please share your ideas…

Day 10... fire

Throughout this week, I’ll be sharing some of the most incredible artwork made by India Tresselt, a fiber artist from the Champlain Valley in northwestern Vermont. This year, she participated in Kate Bridger’s Made on Monday and titled her work, 52 Small Meditations on Peace. Be prepared to be inspired, her work captures the essence of peace. Thank you India for allowing me to share.

“Peace is a candle in the darkness” by India Tresselt

The full moon of December, the Cold Moon is December 12. The last full moon of the decade. Reading this hit me… the decade is almost over. Moving on to the 20’s… that’s going to take some time to sink in.

Connecting with others around a fire…

sitting at a campfire breathing in the cool summer mountain air,

watching the flames flicker,

the sparks climb high into the night sky.

a brightness in the dark night…

laughter,

then stillness,

an innocent lean into the person next to you.

Warmth from the inside out, smiles appear…

memories float in,

the present is large,

the future seems so distant.

Friendships made,

some that last and some that go…

a moment in time known as peace.

The Reawick House, Shetland, UK

Two moons ago, I watched the full moon rise over a hill in Shetland. The magnificent sphere in the sky, pink, orange, gold and then brilliant yellow, scattered its light across the dark, black water in the bay. No words spoken for such beauty could not be disturbed. Moon dust does exist…

It was a trip to Shetland with my mum… a time to connect, perhaps reconnect.

Connecting over a form of “fire.”

Memories made, the present was large, and the future seemed so far away.

A moment in time known as peace.

Daily peace tip #10.

In this dark month of December, make time to revel in the darkness and also to find the light. Connect with someone over a “fire.” Perhaps light a candle, have a small fire outside, or join with others worldwide to celebrate the full moon in honor of peace.

Each full moon, Peace Fires unites people globally to concentrate on peace. Today, December 10 is the Peace Fire celebration of this full moon.

Create a moment that is LARGE and will linger, pause this full moon in wonder and awe of the light in the dark, cold sky.

peace,

Christina

Day 9...share

Throughout this week, I’ll be sharing some of the most incredible artwork made by India Tresselt, a fiber artist from the Champlain Valley in northwestern Vermont. This year, she participated in Kate Bridger’s Made on Monday and titled her work, 52 Small Meditations on Peace. Be prepared to be inspired, her work captures the essence of peace. Thank you India for allowing me to share.

“Share Peace” by India Tresselt

Ode to an orange

An oh so sweet little bundle,

packaged in its own material not of synthetic origin,

slow to open, I sit holding the tiny sphere gently in my palm,

first picking,

then peeling,

bit by bit until the inner portion is revealed.

A release of oils sprays into our space,

freshening the stale air,

tiny veins coat the flesh,

miniature highways delivering life-sustaining nutrients to the most secluded portion of its being.

Segment by segment,

each a part that makes a whole,

perfectly imperfect,

not one without the other.

If one slice was missing,

it just wouldn’t be…

A child seeks the best one…

Slowly picking,

peeking inside to reveal the mystery.

Setting them back in the bowl,

one by one hiding the tiny wound inflicted by the curious being.

Stealing away with the obvious winner.

Sweet, fresh flavor

Days of past linger in the moment of savoring each sliver

Laughter,

winter,

holidays.

Shared…

Peeled, all in one,

she holds the empty house,

gently in her palm.

The aroma lingers.

Cherishing the beauty, the simplicity…

Honoring what once was,

stillness in the moment,

hopeful of what might be.

Daily peace tip #9

Food is a powerful way to connect with others, whether they be strangers, friends, family, etc. Today, share some food with others. Consider inviting a friend to coffee, bring a bag of “Cuties” (aka clementines, mandarin oranges) to the office and leave for your fellow co-workers, make a food donation to your local food pantry or the animal shelter. So many ways to share.

During this holiday season, parties abound, why not bring a bag of oranges and see what happens when everyone starts opening these beautiful packages. Part of this poem was inspired by just that…

Any other ideas on how to share food…please feel free to, well, um, share :)

peace and good food for all,

Christina