Once upon a Sunday

After the worship today, PT and I decided we'd take the boys and do a lesson.  Our tiny pre-teen class is often only 2, and today was no exception.  We're talking (indirectly) about bullying.  Why?  not because it's a hot-topic and adult-driven curriculum that we think they need to hear, but because several weeks ago we wanted to prove the bible's relevance to them and asked for a "question"- to which we would search the bible to see how God answers it. One of the boys wanted to know "why are people bullied?"  This has lead to an inpromptu series on Bullies- what to do about it, why it happens, what people need to have in order to overcome it, and eventually lead us to today: The Warrior's Psalm (18).  Graphic depictions of fortresses, fire-breathing dragons, earth-quake enducing fist-drops, and lasers, complete with sound-effects, peppered our discussion as our boys "conference called" each other.  It was the most inspiring thing to see two 12 year old kids side by side with their head bent over the bible, whispering about the passages and interpreting how this or that might look, or whether their mind's version of King David was more warrior or more king or more boy with a rock.  If only all bible lessons were so fun to teach!  It was almost like a movie~ 

Grandmothers to Grandmothers

Last night I had the privelege of attending the Gogo's gala with some co-workers.  Four were planning to attend, but due to a last-minute surgery, there was an extra ticket and I was invited.  A little apprehensive to be attending a formal event as the youngest member of our four-some, band practice was cancelled and I thought, what the heck?!  I should just go see what it's all about. 

The dinner was great, obviously, and the marketplace selling hand-crafted African jewlery, and African-themed items was impressive, and the live-auction was an experience in and of itself.  But what impressed me the most was the presentation.  The Gogos fundraise for Grandmothers to Grandmothers, an organization wherein grandmothers in Canada and North America support grandmothers in Africa who are raising their AIDS-orphaned grandchildren when they should be, as one woman said, "sitting under a tree"  (relaxing as a respected community wise-woman). These women across Sub-Saharan Africa are working hard to raise a second generation of young children, many of whom are HIV-positive themselves, while at the same time grieving their own children, and walking their grand-kids through the process of mourning a parent.  I can't even imagine how difficult this must be.  And the grandmothers here are enabling them to get the financial, medical and emotional support that they need in order to do this effectively. 

It was an inspiring night- a night of watching a group of passionate, committed individuals share their enthusiasm with friends and family in order to make a positive difference half way around the world.  A night of great commradery and conversation with some amazing women with whom I work.  A night of dialogue with an older generation who realizes that they still have much to offer the world. And a night of putting my petty problems and issues into proper perspective yet again. :) 

So thankful for yet another such opportunity. 

Thankfulness

After an amazing weekend of doing almost nothing at the cabin/my parents' place, I am back in the middle of a crazy Tuesday and it makes me even MORE thankful for the last 3 days. 

Thanksgiving weekend was full of the usual amazing momma-made food, random TV watching while dad had the remote, various "forest-chores" such as moving piles of sticks, scrubbing the metal roof, and burning debris on the shore of the cove.  One full day of beautiful sunshine, another full day of torrential rain making the 2 meter sprint from Cabin to House something you have to actually work up to doing.  Wonderful autumn holiday-like weekends such as this one are things I am as equally grateful for as long lazy summer days of swimming and hiking and geocaching.
  

One year later

Just over a year ago I started my blog.  I tried to blog regularly and meaningfully, but it fizzled.  Then, a few months went by and I picked it up again.  Yet again it fizzled.  So...I've decided to start fresh.  With the exception of last year's Peace Day entry, I deleted my dozen or so entries with the hope that this time, finally, I will be successful at this. 

Will it work?  who knows.  But I've said before that I'll try anything twice.  (Just in case the first time was a fluke of a bad or good experience, cooked poorly, a passing whim, etc.)  So, let this be my 2nd attempt.  From the beginning.  To see if I can make something of it.


Here it goes....

International Peace Day

Today is International Peace Day.

A day to promote peace, to be peaceful- or at least peaceable- and a day to try to perpetuate peace.  Because here in Canada, we are fortunate.  We know peace, and, realistically we have had peace in our land for almost as long as we've been a country.  Sure, we were involved in wars- particularly the world wars, and more recently, in other wars as "peace keeping units."  And then I thought what would happen if we all, as Canadians and even global citizens, were indivudually operating as peace keepers all the time?  What would that look like? 

I'd imagine we would treat other people with a lot more respect.  We would come to the aid of others as soon as we notice a need we could meet.  We would extend grace and forgiveness more quickly than sarcasm and snappy responses.  We would sit, wait, and think before doing anything that another person might interpret as hostile, and we would reflect on our actions more thoughtfully as we would want to be aware of their effects.  Idealistic? maybe.  But every movement that has ever swept the masses has started with one thought, from one person, that became one choice to do one action.  As we're teaching the youth of today- yes, one person can make a difference.  And, that being true, it means that "world peace" is more than just a "one day maybe" kind of hope.

But you can't give what you don't have.  So how can I find peace in my own life? How do we escape the stress of the day/week/month and pursue peace as individuals?  We discussed it with the class today, and our pre-teens broke it down into 4 main categories that, I think, we can all be more aware of.  First, take care of your body.  Rest.  Eat healthy.  Drink water.  Take deep breaths.  Bathe.  Exercise.  When you feel like a fight, go for a run.   Second, take care of your mind.  Schedule breaks. Relax.  Whisper more.  Do one thing at a time.  Meditate.  Pray.  Learn about things that interest you.  Stay organized.  Prioritize.  Be optimistic.  Stay positive.  Third, take care of your environment.  Plant a garden.  Keep a clean room/house.  Declutter your closets and pass on things you don't want/need to people who can use them.  Stay organized.  Walk more.  Be purposeful with your time and energy.  Volunteer.  Be honest with people.  Maintain relationships with the people who matter to you.  And finally: know when you need to step back and disengage for a while.  Choose to live differently.  Pursue peace.  And carry that candle with you out into your world.  World Peace in my life-time?  I think it's possible.

Happy International Peace Day.