Why

A day that started well enough, turned on its heel and cut to our core with heart-wrenching tragedy. We are sick with grief. We mourn, we wonder, we rage at the horrific senselessness of killing innocent young children. Personally, I have been angry much of the day. Disgusted. And overwhelmingly sad.

There really are no appropriate words, no script to ease the pain ~ an unimaginable pain of loss for so many families; the little ones now scarred ~ but still, I write, if only to try to process something incomprehensible. There is no “why” that would be enough, no explanation or story or reason to make any of this hideous event the least bit palatable. But we feel it, we’re torn up by it, and somehow face this shame upon humanity. God help us.

As surely the angels weep tonight, I, too, hang my head in tears and prayer, and send my deepest love to the people of Newtown, Connecticut.

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“where in the world is peace?” … virginia, pennsylvania, alaska!

From way up north near Anchorage, Alaska, to the horse country of Virginia, with a stop at the city of Brotherly Love along the way ~ peace travels well (and loves the critters)!

whereinworld.button

one of our 52 Weeks of Peace buttons

Santa’s got a brand new bag …

Thunder loves Alaska!

Can we go out and play in the Alaskan snow now?

Peace in Berryville, VA

World’s sweetest dog, Berryville, VA

“I say, if you give me my food, I’ll feel peace…”

Peace, art, books and justice in Austin, Texas

Peace elf in Austin, Texas

Peace out!

The perfect antidote for ledger work, near Philadelphia, PA

Sweet! Bulletin-board peace!

Where in the world is peace right now? I hope peace finds all of you this holiday season, and ignites all of our hearts.

(ps:  you can see all “where in the world is peace?” images on our “where in the world is peace?” page. Our book is on Amazon, our totes, mugs and things are available here. Please email your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)

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Tuesdays with Chris: “Drawing as Thinking”

Chris Staley (sketchs)

some of Chris’s rough sketches

Can it be Tuesday again already? That sure went fast! But it means another great video from Chris. This week he’s talking about something that plays a pretty major role in my own life, so I’ve decided not to make any elaborate commentary ~ of course, if what he says has anything to do with stream of consciousness, or infinite possibilities, he’s on to something…

(If you missed my introduction about Chris Staley, master potter, educator and Penn State Laureate 2012-2013, you can read that here.)  Enjoy!

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Creative Holiday Gifts!

The holidays are kicking into gear, and our shop is always open! Please feel free to share with friends interested in something special, good for mind and soul, priced under $25 and created from the heart. ♥


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Tuesdays with Chris: “The Art of Teaching “

Chris Staley

Chris Staley

“Teaching is a work of art.”

In this week’s video, Chris describes three types of teachers, and how a sense of ownership and involvement comes alive in a classroom when the lines of engagement become fluid ~ and his students tell us what characteristic they find most important for a teacher to bring to a learning experience. And at the end of the day, it seems the whole teaching/learning process is most effective not by how much you know, but how much you care.

All of which reminds me of a favorite quote by François Rabelais: “A child is not a vase to be filled, but a fire to be lit.”… something that, I believe, goes for all of us, at any age.

(If you missed my introduction about Chris Staley, master potter, educator and Penn State Laureate 2012-2013, you can read that here.)  Enjoy!

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A Plethora of P’s / #65: Paris

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

saxton.P_paris

Oh la joie ~ Paris! So many things to love … the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Musee d’Orsay, the Louvre, the Seine. Opera houses, fashion, culinary finesse. Art, and more art. And of course, chocolate croissants at a sidewalk cafe … beau, oui ?

(see our growing, ongoing Plethora of P’s here)

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52 Weeks of Peace [squared] / Week #78

saxton_peace_ornament

It’s December!

Bring on the bells, the fireplaces all aglow, reindeer on rooftops, the hubbub, long lines, flaring tempers, excited children, too many sweets, blinking lights, trees and wreaths, singing and angels… it’s all there, all of it, comes so fast, gone just as quickly ~ so be of good cheer. Find the bright in your heart, and be of good cheer. ♥ ~ Patricia

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We Want Your Mug!

So I had another crazy idea, and am hoping you can help. And I want it to be fun for you ~ to be a part of our mission to share peace!

As you probably already know, “52 Weeks of Peace” is about creatively inspiring individual peace in everyday ways, 52 weeks a year ~ each one of us doing whatever we can to give a sense of peace not only to others, but to ourselves; things that fill us with appreciation and hope, with more light and more strength. I’m not going for world peace just yet – just one person at a time. It’s doable. From there ~ who knows how far ripples can reach?

And I’d like some faces to go with the message. I’d like your faces. (Here’s our first…^!) I’d like to take and collect as many as possible and make a simple video. (It does sound fun, right?) Like I said, it’s just an idea. People are busy. Heck, I’M busy. We’ll see how far it gets, but I figure it’s worth a go.

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

Then, you just 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…). People of all ages, shapes and sizes welcome. A solid background is preferred but not “absolute”. 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. (You can also ask questions in a comment below.) I’d love for you to join in.

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

…………………..

ps: this doesn’t replace “where in the world is peace?” series, but adds to it and brings people more front and center.

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“where in the world is peace?” … san diego, grand canyon, morristown

Peace participated in a San Diego, California business meeting, sat by the pool and stopped for coffee. It also viewed the Grand Canyon and was spotted outside a Morristown, NJ movie theatre. As ever, my huge thanks for sending these in. Your sharings of peace are appreciated by all!

Grand Canyon, Arizona

At the movies!

San Diego coffee shop

San Diego, California

San Diego business meeting

Where to next?

(ps:  you can see all “where in the world is peace?” images on our “where in the world is peace?” page. Our book is on Amazon, our totes, mugs and things are available here. Please email your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)

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Tuesdays with Chris: “A Woman’s Perspective “

Chris Staley

Chris prompts a discussion among three phenomenal women art professors that in 6 short minutes speaks to the heart of teaching, self-confidence, engagement and passion. Really terrific.

(If you missed my introduction about Chris Staley, master potter, educator and Penn State Laureate 2012-2013, you can read that here.)  Enjoy!

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Dragon Moods

“Come not between the dragon and his wrath.”
~ William Shakespeare, King Lear

I’ve been stealing some time here and there to work on my Book of Dragons, so thought I’d share a couple more glimpses. Funny thing about these, I find myself feeling attached, as if they were real…. but then again, maybe they are ~ just out of sight, across and through the veil that separates worlds… :  )

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Gratitude X’s 3

I had some fun feeling grateful. Hope you will too ~ and I’m wishing a very Happy Thanksgiving to all!

……………

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought;
and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

………..

Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. ~ Karl Barth

………….

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

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Gratitude

This gorgeous image is a place in New Zealand called Emerald Lake. Stunned by its beauty, I immediately felt grateful that grand, magical places like this exist in our world. Then I was grateful that someone was at the right time and place with the right camera equipment to capture this shot for the rest of us to appreciate. Then I was grateful that I wasn’t actually there, because it looks too cold. Then I was grateful for my home, my family, my friends, my cats, my art, and for all of you, and for the existence of chocolate ~ and that without fail, the sun rises each day, giving us another opportunity to appreciate and be thankful.

May we all feel gratitude and recognize blessings, large and small, inside and out, near and far. ~ Love, Patricia
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