52 Weeks of Peace [squared]: Week #84

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Peace is considered a quiet thing, like a particularly beautiful sunset – but it can also be loud, like a chorus boldly singing to high heaven. Peace can be a meditative, sit-on-the-mountaintop feeling, or the heady, centering rush that follows a 3-mile run. Peace can be a sleeping cat, curled up in a sunny spot. Peace can be the joyful peels of a child’s laughter. Peace can be a bubbling creek, a cup of tea, the mending of a friendship – or the letting go. It can be found in a kind word, a job well done, a stranger’s smile. Peace graces a spring garden and kicks up its heels in a snowstorm or a boisterous, pounding waterfall. Peace doesn’t fight; it calms and exhilarates. Peace is freedom from pain, worry and doubt. Peace reaches over and takes your hand; it delights your heart, and it feels right from your head to your toes. Find it. Create it. Share it. This is my wish.  ~ Patricia Saxton

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The above is an excerpt from the original “52 Weeks of Peace” postcard book, available at Amazon.

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Dare to Dream: Week #36 / 52 Weeks of Peace

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Week #36: 52 Weeks of Peace / “Starry Night” / © Patricia Saxton

Dare to dream upon the stars ~

Dare to dream of peace,

Beaming

From life’s grandest stage ~

Unrestrained,

Where thousands

fold to millions ~

Shining. Alighting. Dancing,

Through an endless velvet sky.

Floating in layers

of patterns on patterns,

Shades of bright white

Shimmering

In the blackened pool

Of an upside down sea.

Eternity’s dream catcher ~

Twinkling,

Winking,

Silver-rimmed storytellers ~

Architects of heaven ~

A symphony of light

Plucked from the night

For all time.

Beacons,

Guides,

Galactic jewels,

Wished upon

and worshipped,

Where secrets

are surrendered

And wonders breathe ~

Bright,

Inconceivable and constant.

©  P. Saxton
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Peace Day

Because of my creative journey with my 52 Weeks of Peace series, I’m aware that Saturday, September 21st is the official International Day of Peace. I imagine high-minded gatherings and wholesome intentions in various places around the globe ~  even while there are gatherings of war and strife and sadness and madness (or maybe because of that). And the intention for peace is good. It’s worthy. And long-suffering, and long wished for, and long worked towards by some amazing humanitarians throughout time.

But while the world thinks collectively ~ because in the end, the hope for peace is universal ~ my thoughts, as usual, go back to the individual.

There is a word for “peace” in every language the world over ~ and what a beautiful word it is. Yet to feel it and experience it, peace has to be nurtured, watered and given good light. Then, only then, can it spread, like ripples on a lake, circling far and wide.

And so it starts here ~ with you, and me, right here, right now, this day, every day ~ discovering, welcoming, and knowing peace somewhere in our own hearts, and sharing that peace in our own small corner of the world. And that, is something we all can do. 

Wishing peace for you, with love ~ Patricia

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Peace & Liberty ~ Happy 4th!

I couldn’t decide which one of these I liked better ~ but I have the liberty to pursue happiness, and it makes me happy not to have to choose.

Wishing everyone in the U.S. a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday, honoring our amazing nation, its great natural beauty and wealth of courageous and freedom-loving souls…. and some pretty awesome firework displays too. :  )

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How To Slow Down Time

I don’t really have the final answer to this idea of slowing down time, although finding one has been on my mind a lot lately as we all keep moving, moving, moving, keeping up a brisk pace only to pause for dinner or maybe even some sleep. It’s just not right to me, all this constant motion, this world that moves so very fast, this world of instant news (and too much news), a wild sea of images and thoughts and appointments and gadgets, gadgets, gadgets. This very real sense that there isn’t enough time in the day. So I thought, it being Monday, that maybe Pooh has the best idea yet….

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It’s a nice idea, isn’t it? But napping intrudes on time; time that moves so quickly, so furiously full. One could argue that a nap leaves you refreshed, better able to accomplish all those things that need accomplishing ~ and I find no fault there. But what about slowing down time so you don’t “need” a nap ~ like Pooh, you could take one just because it feels like a good thing to do?

What about slowing time at will, right here and now, without having to go on holiday to find it, and without detriment to your clients, your families, your peace of mind?

There are only a few ways I know that effectively slow down time. One is a fabulous snowfall ~ but this requires a northern climate and Mother Nature’s whim. The ocean has a similar effect, as does being on a mountaintop.

Another, more “here and now” way, is meditation. And of course, for me, there’s drawing. Or painting or playing the piano… when you’re cocooned in the embrace of creativity, it’s very much like a meditation; time simply doesn’t exist in that space. So I’m not sure if it’s actually slowing down time, or merely alleviating the consciousness of the ongoing tick-tock. But I do know that it’s good for the soul, and that practically amounts to the same thing. I think Pooh might agree.

Oh and there is one other way I know about for slowing down time. What you do is believe you have all the time you need. Saying it out loud can help. With conviction and slow, deep breaths. It’s almost like conspiring with the universe. You may laugh, and that’s fine, because I have no scientific explanation ~ but it’s not all that silly if it works, and it has for me.

And now that I’ve reminded myself of this ability, I just need to harness and command it more often!  … After my nap.

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52 Weeks of Peace [squared]: Week #83

“Be happy while you’re living, for you’re a long time dead.”
~ Scottish proverb

In honor of National Tartan Day and my own MacNaughton Clan heritage. :  )

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52 Weeks of Peace [squared]: Week #82

“To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

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52 Weeks of Peace [squared]: Week #81 / Dreaming Peace in 2013

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What are your dreams? What do you really yearn for? What makes your heart smile, your toes tingle, your eyes sparkle, just imagining it were real? What thoughts bring light to your spirit and peace to your mind?

It starts with a single, shiny thought. Maybe just the whisper of an idea; maybe a booming revelation ~ maybe you overhear something on a crowded bus that sparks you to action, maybe it’s a piece of music, a taste of something delicious; maybe it’s a child’s tears or the launch of a rocket; maybe it’s the grace of a winding river or the steady power of a mountain or the freedom of a bird in flight; maybe it’s a flower growing through a crack in the sidewalk. Who knows where the stuff of dreams comes from, but we all have them. Sometimes I think our job is to find the key, unlock the door and venture out towards a path we’ve always known we belonged on but didn’t know was there  ~ or didn’t recognize through the bramble of life’s distractions ~ or, yes, even, with a million variations of reasoning, talked ourselves away from.

So maybe this is the year we listen more, with eyes and hearts more open; maybe this is the year we hear the rumblings in our soul with renewed anticipation, renewed interest, renewed commitment to step closer to that stuff of our dreams.

Wishing us all the brightest of dreams, the courage to honor them, and much love, laughter, health, harmony and happiness along the way. Bring it on.

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Books, Buttons & Bows

Have I mentioned that our 52 Weeks of Peace buttons make great gift-toppers? Just another fun way to share peace … :  )

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We Want Your Mug!… Putting Faces on Peace

Progress! … Well, it’s probably the busiest time of year to have started this little (big?) project, but we’re getting more and more pictures of your beautiful selves sharing peace, so I thought I’d share some with you. Every single one a happy shot. Lovely! Many thanks to those who’ve sent their images ~ and those who haven’t, we’re hoping you’ll join in and send yours! (Details below.)

All you need is a camera, a 52 Weeks of Peace product*, and a smile!

Take “waist-up” shots of people holding (or wearing) something “52 Weeks of Peace” (the book, a favorite postcard from the book, a bag, button or mug*…). All ages, shapes and sizes welcome. The only requirement is that it’s a clean, clear shot that shows off one or more people ~ and that it is freely given for public use (no names please) ~ and the picture should be happy.

There’s no prize, no “special offer” ~ this isn’t a big business deal, just one artist/writer looking to round up some friends and friends-of-friends who like the idea. That’s it. Grass-roots, “just because”. If you’d like to be part of this project, you can post a picture to the 52 Weeks of Peace facebook page, or send them to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com.

Peace starts right here, right now, with you, with me ~ let’s inspire, let’s do this!

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* 52 weeks of peace gear * 52 weeks of peace book

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