Tag Archives: B4Peace

Monthly Peace Challenge- A Vision of Peace to Behold

July 1, 2013Compassion, Heal, Monthly Peace Challenge, Peace, Perceptionawareness, B4Peace, Compassion, Lila Downs, National Museum of the American Indian, peace, Perception, Photography, Prayer, purposeful perception, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, Washington PostBorn to Be

How can a photograph inspire a purposeful perception? How can a photograph inspire a new vision of peace for our world?

In September of 2004 I had the privilege of experiencing an amazing day in our Nation’s Capital- Washington DC. I grew up in northern Virginia, and at the time was working downtown at a higher education non-profit. I was a year out from a divorce and my life was finally settling while living in the District. This one particular morning DC was abuzz with a slowly unfolding plot. The opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian was about to take place and the “Gathering of the Nations” was about to open up a door to peace and beauty on the post-summer Mall rarely experienced there amidst its normal chaos of traffic and partisan politics.

A magical day of festivities was planned. As I walked down the street to my office that morning, you could feel it coursing through your body like adrenaline only it was pure joy. My heart felt like it could leap from my body. Like a window was about to open to a new manifest destiny as the Nations took DC by storm. Representatives, families from the entire Nations’ tribes were gathering in their ceremonial dress on 14^th street, passing me by with a pride they have always deserved. The Washington Post had posted a picture of a sunrise ceremony and blessing that took place next to the museum and you could already see the sunlight rehearsing for a show that would move my soul later that evening.

The beginning of the magnificent sunset on the Mall the day the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. — The beginning of the magnificent sunset on the Mall the day the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.

An eclectic, free concert in the evening was planned featuring Lila Downs whose earthiness just exudes in the movement of her body and the sound of her voice. As I walked down the Mall on the sunset’s cusp, I felt so grateful to be a part of this historic event. As me and my friend waited for Lila Downs’ performance, the sky began to dance. Soon it was like an explosion of light amplifying the energy of the day and illuminating life. Every part of my being knew it was a result of this sacred energy that was brought to DC for this unique and uplifting occasion.

The 2nd stage of this magnificent sunset.

It was a peace that our own Nation’s Capital should strive for every moment- if not for themselves, but for the people of our country that have to endure the reality of our current economic plight every day. In the Bloggers for Peace writing challenge this month we were supposed to write a letter, but really this is a short prayer and meditation on peace for not only the US and its government, but for all governments in our world. I can only hope that the memory of this landmark event and the picture of its beauty prays in the earth of the DC Mall and emanates itself into the hearts of those visiting and those that live there. A garden of tolerance and compassion is readying itself with a purpose. In my heart I will continue to strive to project a vision of this peace to our world, slowly giving rise to perceptions that are rooted in awareness rather than ignorance.

What has this post inspired for you? What new, purposeful perceptions about your present moment can you now use to create awareness in your life? Please let me know! I truly value your inspiration as we journey together.

Creativity for Peace Program- Prepare to Be Amazed!

February 1, 2013Compassion, Forgiveness, Life, Listening, Love, Meditation, Peace, PerceptionB4Peace, Compassion, Creativity for Peace, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, forgiveness, I Shall Not Hate, Israel, Life, love, Middle East, Palestine, peace, Peace Talks Radio, Perception, self-helpBorn to Be

Image by: Creativity for Peace Israeli May Freed, Creativity for Peace Director Dottie Indyke, Palestinian Jwana Ghaleb — Image by: Creativity for Peace
Israeli May Freed, Creativity for Peace Director Dottie Indyke, Palestinian Jwana Ghaleb

I don’t know if you have this radio program available to you, but if you don’t- you should check it out online! One of my favorite things to listen to, be inspired by, and just plain “cry” to is Peace Talks Radio. Weeks ago as I was driving to work, they were featuring one of my most loved programs on this planet- Creativity for Peace. “What is this savvy, amazing, peace instilling program that you speak of,” you may ask?

Well!

“Creativity for Peace includes a camp experience in the high desert of New Mexico for adolescent girls from all sides in the Middle East conflict. At the annual camp, the girls speak their minds and hearts about their own suffering due to the hostilities. Despite being taught to see the other as the enemy, they learn to get along and even be friends. More importantly perhaps, they learn important lessons in conflict resolution.”

I am a huge proponent of teaching people to listen- deeply listen- to resolve conflict and create healing in their hearts from traumatic or abusive situations. This program to me represents everything that can be accomplished in our world if we understand that words much of the time are just expressions of emotional release, and many times once they are expressed without judgment or reacting, healing can take place for both parties. Incorporating deep listening practices into your daily routine can be life changing- especially with those people that really know how to “yank your chain.”

This particular episode that I was listening to had two young girls, Palestinian Jwana Ghaleb and Israeli Jew May Freed, who have attended the camp and continue to work with it to help other girls resolve their inner conflicts due to the outer conflict of their cultural society, particularly between Palestinians and Israeli Jews. Their stories will drive you to great heart opening experiences, and give you the opportunity to see where you may need some healing yourself.

To listen, CLICK HERE.

A long time ago, I heard an interview by a Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, MD, MPH, where he talked about the anguish he experienced in losing 3 of his daughters and a niece due to an Israeli shell that hit his home in Gaza. Dr. Abuelaish served as a doctor in Israel, and had dedicated his life to serving those that many would call his enemies. In response to his experience, he wrote a book called “I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey”. What was amazing about his interview to me, besides how incredible his spirit is to have dedicated his life to peace after an experience that could have perpetuated hate and conflict, was learning that one of his daughters that died in the bombing had actually attended Creativity for Peace, here in New Mexico.

My inspiration today lives in all of those that see beyond their own inner conflict and anger, and reach out to the world to heal rather than perpetuate the ego’s delusion of separation. Deep Listening is a practice that can be instilled in all of us- and if our children learned it at a young age, I feel we could change the world. To me, it is a meditative exercise that connects us to the hearts of one another, rather than our mind which is full of belief systems and a desire to be argumentative. I hope that you have time to listen to this radio show today, or check out Dr. Abuelaish’s book– or just think about someone that you might be angry with, and see them with compassion for their ignorance that may have caused you pain- or have compassion for yourself, which is so hard and difficult to do for many of us.

Give yourself a hug, by giving someone else a hug. Happy Friday!

PEACE- WHY NOT?

January 30, 2013Awareness, Buddhism, Compassion, Ego, Forgiveness, heart, Joy, Life, Love, oneness, Peace, Perception, UncategorizedB4Peace, buddhism, Compassion, forgiveness, joy, Life, love, peace, Self Perception, self-love, Thich Nhat HanhBorn to Be

Loving February’s Bloggers for Peace writing challenge so much, I am am starting in January (I know, it’s the last day of the month anyhoo!). Thich Nhat Hanh states, Peace in oneself, Peace in the world.

What inspires peace for people?

What gives people the desire to work for peace?

I have seen so many people downtrodden by the daunting task of even thinking about peace in our world. Their sadness from seeing the suffering on our planet instills compassion, and then to me- a natural desire inherently occurs- the desire to create peace within our own heart. As a teacher of how perception affects our reality and the world around us, I truly believe that peace begins within ourselves and it illuminates each person we touch with kindness and a greater compassion for others.

Peace is not a futile effort.

Seeing the joy and love within the images placed in my “Peace, Why Not?” billboard inspires me to sit with my own heart space and reflect on my motivation and how I connect with the world around me. This contemplation, if instilled within all of us each day, would continue to grow and light a flame within each person we interact with like candles on a birthday cake. Our personal work does have an effect on the world, and we must continue to do this work if we wish to change the world.

Mantra: I am a holy vessel of light being used for the greater good of all sentient beings.

This is a sacred mantra for me, and my motivation every day. See how it works for you, modify it to work for you, encourage yourself to engage in self love and acceptance so your inner peace will light the way for others.