Day 20... Yes

“What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

— Mary Oliver

Shetland pony. Near Gloup, Yell, Shetland Isles. July 2023

A call to say “yes.” The power of possibility… what is it that pulls at you… to say yes! Not the dragging yes of responsilibility or the “ok, sure…” but the yes that seems to be dwelling deep in the eyes of the pony. Oh to the yes.

Did you know that there are over 158,000 5-letter words in the English dictionary with about 9,000 acceptable in the game of Scrabble. Yet this one word, “peace,” is so complex and multifaceted… so misunderstood… and oh so powerful, for better or for worse. Is there any other 5-letter word that is more well-known? There are dedicated scholars, programs, departments, centers, institutes devoted to this word… in the pursuit of…

Bog cotton. Eshaness, Shetland, UK. July 2023

I now look back and realize that in 2015, I entered into a relationship… with a word, “peace.” The irony… to be in relationship with a word about relationships… and while it hasn’t been all “peaceful,” which so many equate with “easy,” I have clung to this word through the ups and downs. Just like the bog cotton growing in the peaty, soggy ground of a cliff next to the North Sea… holding on in the intense summer wind. Finding beauty in adversity… as a result, the relationship has deepened.

A commitment to cultivating healthy relationships with self, others, and the Earth is my “yes!”

The land of rainbows. Reawick, Shetland. October 2023

The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?

Who made the swan, and the black bear?

Who made the grasshopper?

This grasshopper, I mean—

the one who has flung herself out of the grass,

the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,

who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—

who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.

Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.

Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

The question that Mary Oliver poses… what will you do with your life? She has such a way of removing the pressure of trying to “figure out,” “solve,” “make happen,” in regards to ones life’s plans. This poem highlights the beauty to be found in the simple… what matters seems to bubble to the surface.

Hello to here…

and yes to peace…

a potpouri of actions, birds, colors, doors, gates, here, islands, journeys, knitting, language, manifestos, nourishment, organizing, pauses, rememberances, understanding, and the letter “w”… yes to all of this and so much more.

Evidence of peace in our world exists in the most random places… we have only to look around us… even in a community of people connected through the “internet” gathering in the darkest of months (in the northern hemisphere) to contemplate and incorporate acts of peace into their daily lives.

“I am extraordinarily priviledged in nearly every way, but what I’m most grateful for now is my parents’ belief, passed down like any other inheritance, that there’s more beauty in the world than horror.

This optimism gives you license. It’s a kind of audacity and it can work like an all-purpose key to the locked doors of you dreams. “Why not you?” it whispers.”

— Laurel Braitman, What looks like bravery: An epic journey through loss to love

An old kirk, Skeld, Shetland, UK. October 2023.

Peace nugget #20

A few reminders… hello to here… mending what is within our reach… what is your yes when it comes to “peace?”

Pick a line or phrase from today… what makes your heart sing?

Other

It’s been quite the adventure… 20 days thus far, exploring so many facets of peace. I am still amazed that I said “yes",” in response to an email nudging me to “do” Project Peace this year. What a powerful reminder… yes to the power of peace.

Have you noticed the pattern of the daily prompts? I’m so curious to know if and when you might have recognized the pattern. And what could tomorrow possibly be… have I saved the most challenging letter for last?

peace,

Christina

Day 19... W

Welcome to a walk along the water’s edge in a winter wonderland.

MacFarland Park, Ames, IA. January 2023

Oh the letter W. The highs and lows of the W…

straightforward: down, up, down, up…

meandering and soft: up, down, around, up, down, around, up, straight

frilly and embellished: up with grace, down with boldness, repeat, then squiggle

pathways of peace as the letter “w”… there are ups and downs… sometimes, peace is straightforward and direct, other times peace shows up as softness… round on the edges… and then there’s that aspect of peace, complicated and challenging with a disguise of fancy.

And with each change in direction of the brushstoke, the pen must pause. No matter the style of the “w,” the one thing they have in common is the pause in between directions of the pen.

Just like peace… regardless of how it shows up in our lives and the world, peace must include a pause.

Welcome…

a word that represents being open, inviting, inclusive and takes my mind to the topic of hospitality. I’ve written previously about the word “hospitality” in the context of peace. Many may think of being gracious, being that proper host when it comes to this word, yet Henry Nouwen had a different perspective.

“Hospitality is not to change people but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines...”

— Henry Nouwen

A space where change is possible… that’s a space I want to be… to walk in that place of possibility, to create a space where change can happen. Not because I defended an argument or made a strong enough case to persuade another, not to win.

To create a space where change can happen. Peace, not only as a welcoming and gracious host but as the power of possibility…

Walk in winter

Walk along the water’s frozen edge… to gaze in wonder of the marvels of our world. To know that winter is a time of pause, without which no spring can emerge. Take this time to ease into the shortness of these days… to watch the dark of night yield to the light of day and vice versa.

Water

we are water… 60% of our beings are water… 70% of the Earth is covered in water. The earths water meanders through our bodies… our blood”streams” are the rivers of our lives… water is wonder…

our relationship with water is germane to our existence… peace as relationship with self, others, and the Earth… mend what is within our reach… water… invite others into a space where change is possible… clean water as peace.

Peace nugget #19

peace as the letter “W.” Take some time today to go for a walk (or just get outside if walking is not possible) and ponder the letter “w” as a pathway for peace.

Walk with peace.

Can you think of other words that begin with the letter “w” that describe peace as relationhips that might be not so mainstream?

Which “w” word as a metaphor for peace captured your attention?

Other

I previously included a link to the music of Sara Thomsen. One of my most favorite songs that she has written is called “Water of Life.” Those words… oh, those words.

Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t address the severity of the water crisis in the US. Most are familiar with the Flint, MI water crises, however, clean water (or the lack thereof) is a critical issue, particularly in the Midwest. If you want to learn more about the connection between water quality and agriculture, Chris Jones has an excellent (and very direct) “blog” on Substack.

Only two more days until winter solstice. I absolutely love this day… a chance to celebrate winter, my favorite season. Remember to comment everyday if you can… there’ll be a few surprises. So, if you need to go back and read and comment on a few previous posts, now’s the time. And maybe you’ve been reading along each day and have chosen not to post. There’s something for you as well.

peace… one beat, one stitch, one step at a time

~Christina

Day 18... understand

Stand

under

To understand… a person, situation, circumstance… perhaps we might need to “stand under.” To walk in the shoes, to see it from their perspective… a way of peace.

How can we learn to celebrate the differences in our lives since it seems the differences become the catalyst to breaking down relationships?

What better way to illustrate my thoughts than with a two-part story…

Scenario 1. Previously, I mentioned the riddle-teller who loves to organize. If you asked her to describe herself she would say “organized.” If you asked her for an example of a fun activity, “organize.” To me, it’s mind-boggling how organized she is… yet it brings her great joy. I, on the otherhand, would only achieve a C+ in the category of organization and on the days that I really try, a B-. I have worked closely with the riddle-teller for 8 years… and this difference in our styles/personalities is one of our greatest strengths. We giggle at each others way of tackling a problem as neither of us would approach problem-solving from the same angle. Instead of mounting frustration over each others style, we celebrate our differences. As a result, we are very productive and enjoy our time together.

Scenario 2. I am a work to the deadline type of person. If a project is due on Monday at 5 pm, I am submitting the project that afternoon. I used to work with a woman who wanted the project done a week early. I knew this was important to her, so I tried multiple times to complete projects in advance. Yet, I was always a few days late (for her deadline)… We were unable to find a middle ground and the collaboration dissolved over time.

Now, let me be perfectly clear. There is an ease in the relationship with the riddle-teller whereas the early-deadline meeter and I never had that type of grace. So, when times get challenging, complex, or frustrating, the riddle-teller and I have the ability to talk. That was not so with the early-deadline meeter. And the longer I waited to have a conversation about our differences, the more strained the relationship became.

When it comes to cultivating peace for self, others, and the Earth in the context of what is within our reach… perhaps there are some key tenets that we can apply; a checklist if you will. Let’s put this in the first person…

1. How can I seek to understand the big picture?

2. How can I consider an issue fully and resist the urge to come to a quick conclusion?

3. How can I change my perspective to increase my understanding?

4. How can I consider how my current attitudes and beliefs are influencing the current reality and the future?

5. How can I recognize that a time delay may affect the desired outcome?

Scenario 2 really needed some assistance if the collaboration was going to move forward… and of course, finding a way forward has to be desired by both parties. At that time, I did not have the skillset to navigate the complexities of the collaboration. But in retrospect, I could have used the questions above to frame a conversation.

As we’ve been discussing the last few weeks, life is interconnected… with others and the Earth. Problems arise when we become disconnected; we begin to shut down and no longer see the beauty in our differences. We become divided… an advanced stage of disconnection.

I’m sure we all have examples of relationships in our lives when the understanding broke down, the communication dissolved, and we stopped seeking to view perspectives other than our own.

Peacebuilders understand, seek new pespectives, query their own beliefs and attitudes, resist the urge to react (hello ‘pause’), and acknowledge that waiting too long to address a problem may have outcomes not aligned with the desired effect.

Peace nugget #18

The questions listed in our peacebuilder checklist are five of the fourteen habits of systems thinking as described by the Waters Center for Systems Thinking. You can learn more about the habits here. If you are an educator, there are lots of resources for classroom use as well.

The world needs systems thinkers… the ability to apply the habits in our daily lives provides a pathway for peace. Imagine a world where we sought to understand the big picture and seek new perspectives… or even better if we considered how our own attitudes and beliefs were influencing our interactions with others.

Let’s apply the habits of systems thinking to our relationships with self, others, and the Earth… being mindful to address relationships “within our reach.” Pick a habit (listed above or here) that speaks to you.

Which habit did you select?

Describe how your chosen habit represents peacebuilding.

Other

I’ve been asked if the Project Peace 2023 daily readings will continue to be available after our 21 days and the answer is “yes.” The daily prompts from Project Peace 2016 - 2020 are also available on the website if you find yourself wanting to read more.

Again, I’d like to thank you for all your beautiful comments. During my morning “coffee with peace” time, I’m holding so many of you in my thoughts as you walk through life’s challenges… loss of a partner, parent(s), child(ren), friend(s); whether it be through a parting of ways or the last beat of the heart. Peace.

You’ve seen this door before (Day 4… doors). This is the door from which all the above photos were taken. Just from a different perspective.

Day 17... remember

remember (verb): Middle English: from Old French remembrer, from late Latin rememorari ‘call to mind’, from re- (expressing intensive force) + Latin memor ‘mindful’.

What is it that we choose to remember?

Childhood memories, friends and family who make us laugh and smile, life’s milestones filled with love…

or how a person wronged us, cut us off in traffic, said something that hurt.

maybe it’s a mish-mash of both… ‘cause life can be messy that way.

Let’s come back to our definition of peace: right relationships with self, others, and the Earth… what is it that we remember that brings us into this space. What if what we remembered was nothing listed above… and was everything that connected us to the Earth… and each other.

Remember by Joy Harjo

Remember the sky that you were born under,
know each of the star’s stories.
Remember the moon, know who she is.
Remember the sun’s birth at dawn, that is the
strongest point of time. Remember sundown
and the giving away to night.
Remember your birth, how your mother struggled
to give you form and breath. You are evidence of
her life, and her mother’s, and hers.
Remember your father. He is your life, also.
Remember the earth whose skin you are:
red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth
brown earth, we are earth.
Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their
tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them,
listen to them. They are alive poems.
Remember the wind. Remember her voice. She knows the
origin of this universe.
Remember you are all people and all people
are you.
Remember you are this universe and this
universe is you.
Remember all is in motion, is growing, is you.
Remember language comes from this.
Remember the dance language is, that life is.
Remember.

This word, “remember”… steeped with value and context… holding on to personal memories, some good and others not so. Walking that fine line between wanting to forget the past and the fear that all will be forgotten…

Remember that those connections to self, others, and the Earth… that we are of the universe and to listen to the wind… she remembers all of time, from the beginning.

and the plants… they are alive poems…

Peace nugget #17

Oh, this poem. When I’m feeling a bit disconnected and lost, I return to this poem. It reminds me of what matters… that connection with others and the Earth. We are of the Earth. This understanding, or way of being has faded away in today’s dominant culture. We are disconnected. And remembering these connections is vital for peace…

to live in reciprocity with the others and the Earth.

Give and take

what’s good for you is good for me

yin and yang.

Remember…

What line in the poem by Joy Harpo moved you?

Why?

Other

The order of the photos is intentional. Note the ability to see the detail in the first photo and how our view expands out as we progress. The final photo is taken standing outside the hen house looking down the road. Over time, our ability to recall details lessens, our perspective shifts, and how we approach our interactions with others may alter based on these changes. For better or for worse.

I want to be very clear that this post is not about age-related cognitive decline nor neurological conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons). My intent is not to stir up feelings of how we can’t remember things like we used to. Rather, my wish is to bring us to a place of reconnecting with the Earth as an element of peace.

If you have the time, please read the comments from previous days. So much wisdom being shared, additonal resources, and words of encouragement for those of you who are grieving the loss of a loved one, undergoing medical treatment, or caring for a loved one with an illness. Lots of inspiration in the comments. Thank you.