“Nature looks dead in winter because her life is gathered into her heart. She withers the plant down to the root that she may grow it up again fairer and stronger. She calls her family together within her inmost home to prepare them for being scattered abroad upon the face of the earth. ”
And here we are…
on the 21st day, solstice,
a day that marks the transition from one season to the next,
a day filled with darkness and light,
a day to experience with intention,
one filled with hope and promise.
Today, knit for peace… for you, your family, neighborhood, community, nation, the world, and our planet.
Not because it’s a nice idea but rather because our future depends on it.
Peace is a choice…
Make space for peace in your life just as the light squeezes between the darkness of the trees.
On Day 2 of Project Peace 2018, I asked you to describe peace with words that begin with the letter “p.” One participant commented that the letter “p” sounds closed so she picked another letter. This one comment has had the most profound impact on me. I’d never thought of the letter “p” that way…and from that moment I was able to put into words my experience from this entire year. And while this follower was merely describing the sound, it spoke to me in such a powerful and positive way.
Focusing on peace has opened me up to new possibilities. Bringing peace to the forefront of my day has redirected my path, allowed me to realize my passion, and introduced me to so many beautiful people that I would’ve never met. Peace has allowed me to look up, connect with people, look them in the eye, engage in conversations and listen…
And while I still get bogged down in a myriad of daily yuck with my head down and heart closed, I find this is happening less and less. So, peace holds a promise… to see the good and kindness in our every day lives.
Life is a crooked and messy path filled with heartaches and sorrow yet just like the balance between the knit and purl stitch, there’s joy and light…
sometimes we have to look long and hard, in between the stitches and rows of our knitting.
Just as blocking opens up the stitches and allows your work to bloom… opening up your day to peace has the potential to do the same.
Peace seed #21.
First, make space for peace today. Celebrate Worldwide Knit for Peace Day. Knit for peace in solitude, with a friend at home or in public, join your knitting group, knit in public maybe even with a sign… “I’m knitting for peace.”
This is our day to let the light shine through the darkness and spread peace around the world. And while this statement might have just a bit of corny mixed with it’s sincerity, I’m reminded that I still haven’t heard a better solution to creating peace around the world. Just like the simple snowflake, it’s just one flake yet a collective mass of snowflakes creates a blizzard. Let’s create a blizzard of peace.
Second, if you’d like to celebrate peace around the world with others that are committed to peace (not just knitters), check out Peace Fires. Light a candle, fire, bonfire today in the name of peace.
If you’re knitting with a group, make sure to have everyone leave a pin or a comment in The Healthy Knitter Ravelry Group. Can we get to 1000 pins? Don’t just have one pin representing your group, one pin per person!
And here’s your third action for the day.
Write up a peace-promise. You can copy and paste this into a different document, practice your penmanship, or doodle it on a postcard and send it to a friend to make it a bit more real.
Project Peace-Promise
inspired by a conversation with my friend Terri, a seed of peace
I’m taking a pledge to create a culture of peace. This is a promise to ________ [insert your name or the world “self”] to practice peace daily. A world filled with peace begins with my choices and actions. These small steps have the potential to positively impact those around me.
I commit to the following actions that with persistence will flourish and impact those around me:
__________[write a statement that’s something you’ll do for you]
__________[write a statement that’s something you’ll do for others]
__________[write a statement that’s something you’ll do for the planet]
I plant these seeds of peace,
______ [insert signature]
Give-away #4.
The final give-away is a gift from several hearts. It includes a skein of Brim Yarn to make a single loop Project Peace 2018 cowl, a skein of Spincycle Yarn, a signed knitting book called Wool Journey inspired by Shetland, a knit peace stitch marker, and a linen project bag made by my mum with hand embroidery done by yours truly. The Spincycle yarn and book are provided by my lovely friend Susan (thank you!!!!).
I’ll close entries on 11:59 on Saturday 12/22. I’ll be back on Sunday morning with a few updates and announce the winners of the 3rd and 4th giveaway.
So, how do you enter? All you need to do is leave a comment on the blog (or send me an email) in response to one of the following:
What does Project Peace mean to you?
OR
Share your peace-promise.
Peace…
~Christina