I am joining in with other bloggers to write about peace today. I have done this before, although some years I forget. I started in 2007, but since 2020 I have blogged about peace annually.
This year, Blog4Peace is the day before election day in the USA. The theme is "hold the light" but I cannot write on that theme. Not right now.
Instead, I am going with "let the peace begin inside of me." Because I do not feel peaceful about much of anything.
I am fearful and afraid. I race in and out of the grocery store as if I were on fire, running from the visions of the scowling, angry faces of the members of my community. Oh, of course they are not all looking like they are going to eat me; most of them, in fact, smile if I smile and are polite and say, "excuse me," if they cut in front of me.
But the atmosphere feels tense and I feel exposed and seen. I feel like they are going to accost me, though for what, I have no idea.
Being hidden and unseen, or feeling afraid and fearful, are not the ways to bring about peace within oneself; nor are they ways to bring peace to a world that is sorely in need of it.
How can I, an older woman, overweight, out of shape, and afraid of my own shadow, be able to make a difference - in anything? What can someone like me do to bring about peace? I can hold no meetings with great worldly leaders. I cannot even manage peace in my own relationships, particularly not with the men in my life.
But I can slow down in the grocery store, and smile at the people who glance my way. It is not my concern what they think of me - those are their thoughts, not mine. My only concern is what I think of them. I must choose to see them as I see myself and acknowledge that they too are lonely and afraid, even if they don't show it.
Maybe I can bring peace one single, slow step at a time.
Let it begin with me.
This is such a serious, sensitive post. I feel your vulnerability! Please be sure to link up with Mimi so others will see it.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, I understand. I'm holding the light for you. You are doing what you can and nobody can ask for more. Every small step, every piece of positivity and hope counts. Together we are stronger.
ReplyDeletePeace and light to you and yours.
I join you in the single, slow step at a time.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, it all begins with just a single step forward, for all of us. I hope peace finds us all soon.
ReplyDeleteI agree, first work on ourselves and how we react to others….then how we treat others…one person at a time.
ReplyDeleteI love this: "Let it begin with me." As it always does. The world needs our smiles so badly these days. When our hearts are peaceful, the energy we project helps spread peace, even wordlessly. Thanks so much for your efforts for peace.
ReplyDeleteI have felt that parking lot shadow as well. I know what you mean. There is an undeniable tangible presence of unease in the air. But your words and this post brought healing to me. There is hope in the small steps and peace in the journey. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteevery little step in the right direction helps, if everyone did one little step inthe right direction this world would be a better place. Your little steps help xoxo Little Miss Titch
ReplyDeleteSending love, peace and light your way <3
ReplyDeleteoooooh I felt this one, especially being a short, chubby (cough) older woman. You summed up so much. And oh heck yes, I've had days where a few kind words, a smile, has kept me going.
ReplyDeleteI have spoken out this year, well.. written out. And in doing so lost contact with two family members who love war and all things angry. I tried, but they just think I'm an idiot female who hasn't a clue how "the real world" works. And they were mean, and a little cruel, before they walked away for good. Yeah, that worked well. :P
I can joke about it now, but it's been six months and at first it just hurt.
Oh gosh, hasn't this year HURT? If it's made me realise anything it is this - when you find your tribe, those kindred spirits who see the real you. HOLD ON TO THEM. <3
And keep smiling, keeping waving love and peace at them. You never know which ones are so lost in the dark they need just a smile or kind word to keep them going.