In the US, today is a holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Typically a day when school's, banks, and many businesses are closed but it always seems to be just another day to be busy, catch up and make use of the extra day. Yet we are in the midst of an ice storm so the normal hustle and bustle has ceased, leaving it a quiet, peaceful day...as it should be.
Today we honor a man that inspired many to collective action to end segregation at least as it existed in the '60s. MLK is remembered as a peace activist and a pivotal person in the civil rights movement. He had a dream, a dream that we would all live as a community in peace (his words were "brotherhood").
Before we get to the Mindful Monday tip, I wanted to share an update with you. Last November, I conducted the Third Healthy Knitter mystery knit-along and walk-along. Over the holidays I was able to get some excellent photos of the cowl with much gratitude to my son for taking the photos and my daughter for "modeling." I am pleased to reveal the consolidated pattern with new photos.
Stravaigin is a word used on Shetland, a collection of islands north of Scotland, and means “to wander about idly without purpose; to roam.” Walking on Shetland is different from the US where most walking or hiking takes place on predetermined paths. On Shetland there are walking routes, but there’s no clear path. There are little signs with arrows pointing you in the direction of travel located here and there . . . and you hope that you’ll find the next one without getting lost. The motifs used in this cowl represent the arrows and the crooked path one might take while walking on the peat bogs covered with heather. This quick-to-knit colorwork cowl is the perfect size for wearing on a chilly walk.
This pattern is meant to be a nice little side project that allows you to knit each day yet still find time to stravaig. I've heard from several people that Stravaigin was their first colorwork project and they are now hooked on all things stranded!
This pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry. And just for blog subscribers, I've created a special coupon code for 20% off. Enter the code "BLOGSTRAVAIG17" at check-out. Just so I'm being very clear, you have to enter the code before you "check-out" to receive the discount. Coupon will expire in 1 week ( end of the day on 1/22/17).
Stravaigin, a colorwork cowl that is simple and quick to knit. Click on the image to purchase the pattern.
Mindful Monday Tip #3
As I mentioned at the beginning of the blog, it's MLK Day in the US. I've been thinking about how to incorporate MLK Day into a tip. Certainly, MLK is well known for many speeches and quotes but none perhaps more famous than the one below.
“I have a dream. One day my four little children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
Last week I was writing about "world peace" in my own journal. What is it? What does it really mean. I wrote this:
Has there ever been a time in history when world peace existed? Is it within the human capacity to achieve a peaceful state? Perhaps peace can be defined as:
- the absence of war
- the absence of conflict
- the ability to disagree respectfully without malice or negative consequences
- to live without fear
- to have basic needs fulfilled...food and water, clothing, shelter
- to treat self, neighbor and stranger with compassion and respect without bias and judgment.
It was on this last thought that I stopped and felt I'd come full circle. Treating self with respect brings us back to peace begins within. As I've thought about my possible descriptions of world peace I'm brought back to the famous MLK quote above. Living in a world where our outwardly appearances do not define us.
So, here's something to try. How would you describe yourself (or think of any person you like) to someone that cannot see. If we are trying to describe a person to someone else and cannot use physical descriptors we have to look deeper than appearances.
And finally, MLK had a dream. What's your dream? And as always, please leave a comment. Your thoughts are always so inspirational.
