stars in the deep blue skies…
to guide us…
look up and stray from our downward focus.
landmarks provide context…
an arrow…
points us in the right direction.
A pile of stones …
guides us…
a gift from someone who was here once before.
Where a path may not exist, the stones show us the way...
On the ascent of Ben Nevis, Scotland, UK
A cairn is a map, a collection of stones piled one atop of the other, from the ground up, largest to smallest. Since prehistoric times, people have used cairns as a way to mark a path… a guide… a map for others to follow. Cairns have also been built to honor a place of great wonder and reverence as if to declare, in a quiet way the beauty of it all.
I always envision that the path of peace would be lined with the most magnificent cairns pointing the way.
Examples of maps abound from the stars, to landmarks, to cairns, yet today, I’d like to talk about good old fashioned maps, the paper kind.
A guide to show you how to get where you want to go,
full of details…
without losing sight of the big picture.
A place where one’s mind can wander, imagine, explore… new adventures start with map. And when one feels lost, a map can put you back on the right track.
But can you read a map? Is the ability to read a map slowly vanishing from our human skill set… have we come to depend on Siri to guide us on our journey?
What happens when we’re lost and Siri is not there?
Who will put us back on the path?
Coast of Maine
Peace tip #11
If you have a physical map in your house or car or tucked away in an attic box, go find it. Pull out the map and explore the place described by the map. Where are the rivers, cities, towns, historic places, parks? How would you get from your location to a specific place on the map? Follow the route with your finger. If you have a country atlas or a globe, take some time to ponder where you might like to visit… look at the location in the context of where you currently reside.
It’s gift-giving season. I can tell you from working with college students that reading a map is not in the tool box (aka skill set) of many young adults. Consider gifting a map this holiday season or even providing a lesson on how to read a map. Perhaps the map might spark the exchange of some wonderful stories.
Stars, natural landmarks, rocks, and physical maps… are all examples of guides. How have any of these maps guided you to a place of peace?
Updates
Our next wonderful give-away will begin on Day 14… and the gift is a lovely Shetland themed collection.
Thank you to everyone that is taking the time to engage in this process… 21 days to intentionally focus on peace. What a gift to yourself and those around you. We’re just shy of half-way… here’s me cheering you on as you make space for peace in your day.
As a reminder, I’ll be providing an extra special give-away at the end of the 21 days. If you submit a meaningful comment each day (or email it to me), you’ll be eligible to have your name in a drawing. I’m doing this because it truly helps us build community, a vital component of peace. Also, your ideas and suggestions may be just what sparks and idea for someone else. Thank you!
It’s never too late to participate in the knit-along. It’s so fun to read how people are using their peace shawl (or other knitting project) to center themselves and reflect on peace. Knowing that 100’s of others are knitting the same project as you around the world in the name of peace is a powerful thing. The pattern is available on Ravelry and The Healthy Knitter website.