My Peace

I'm reading a book called "Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words." The inscription is "lovingly dedicated for all seekers." Peace Pilgrim, an elderly white lady, walked over 25,000 miles from the 1950s to her death in 1981 for peace. She'd still be walking today if she were alive.

As articulated by Peace Pilgrim, there are certain preparations (top left corner), relinquishments (bottom left), and purifications necessary (top right corner) to nurture and grow inner peace. I realized that preparations for peace directly coincide with relinquishments and that both feed into internal purifications.  They're all connected.

The preparations invite an articulation of 'What's your story?' because I cannot be an 'escapist' and I cannot stand by 'sucking your thumb.' These engagements with self can feel like 'CHAOS' because it seems like realizing inner peace can move at the speed of a 'turtle.'

The relinquishments are a recognition, an admonition if you will, that I am 'flawed.' But it takes 'baby steps' and 'listening to nature' to move toward center.

The purifications are of the mind, body, motivations, and forgiveness. It is a process and purifications are continual because we are human, flawed, and continuously seeking 'The Source.'

At the center is me, an energetic and present human. I am subject to 'CHAOS' but I want my 'vibe machine' to be 'ultra optimistic' so that I can be a 'green faerie.' So I beg the universe to 'give it to me' and I will 'Smile on.' I know I am lucky to be 'World Wise:' and I have to remind myself to keep my heart open.

At the core of it all is 'everyday magic' because every time I open my heart, light shines through. The more I keep my heart open, the more willing I am to feel.

Feelings often hurt as bad as physical pain, so I feel scared to let myself hurt that bad. I'm protecting myself from pain. But those feelings don't go away, they stay latent until I'm ready and willing to be present with those feelings. When I'm willing to engage with my feelings, I'm willing to not be afraid of those feelings that might hurt. When I'm willing to not be afraid of my feelings, I am closer to inner peace.

Writing Patterns

I recently completed a semester at the University of New Orleans as a PhD student in the Dept of Political Science. While writing my final papers for 3 classes on various topics of political interest, I painted this color splash as a means to visually approximate my brain patterns in the midst of writing.

I like to think that the spaces in between are where my independent thoughts squeeze out; the loudest noise represents the socialization, colonization, education, conditioning, and occupation of my self. My goal is to grow the spaces in between and cut down the noise.