Give Peace a Year posts are the notes from in person meetings aiming to transform the surprising levels of violence I found had crept into my everyday suburban life. I invited people to join me to Give Peace a Year. We started in February 2016 and ran for 3 years. Many surprising transformations to our stress levels, health and relationships were had. You can read the whole story of how it all began with my hair conditioner here.

With the aim of peace, everywhere, starting here, now, transforming violence and conflict of needs  in life, one word, thought or deed at a time.

And because

it’s not the slog that will get us there, it’s the joy

for balance, things that warmed our hearts.

Starting where transformation is needed.

Examples from the group of peace lovers this week on Thursday 25th August

1. Overwhelm

Overwhelm at all the issues in need of care and attention in the world

Wanting to stay aware, wanting to make a contribution without becoming overwhelmed and burnt out or paralysed by the impossible decision of what does and what doesn’t get attention.

Liking a couple of ways to discern where to put your attention

One that works well if your intuition feels strong

• trust your intuition, where you’re drawn to most
• follow what your heart tells you to do
• wait for providential accidents… doors that open while you’re on the way

Another that works well if you’re spiritually inclined, knowing that you can’t know all that is going on in each situation, and asking to be guided. Thanks to Mark Silver for these questions.

Does this situation need help?

Does it need help from me?

What help does it need from me?

So good

Home grown tomatoes and strawberries.

Very few made it as far as the sink to be washed. Good, good stuff.

2. More overwhelm, leading to a life not lived, could that be the ultimate violence against a soul

Too much work to do, so there’s no time or space left to give any thought to life and your part in it.

Keeping you from noticing whether the essence of you has expression, or whether you’re withering in the bud.

Liking that Bow Wow retired at 29, having performed since 13, now taking time for more than work and performing.

Liking the idea of Universal Basic Income so no-one has to work 3 jobs to survive or be under pressure to take work that is so pressurised their health is affected and can have the time to find what they’re here for and what they can best contribute and be satisfied by doing.

More good

Appreciating the beauty of a garden, for lifting the spirits, for calm and for peacefulness.

The Flower seller in rebel held Allepo, Syria

“Flowers help the world. Making roundabouts beautiful gives meaning to life.”

3. When inclusivity in the garden is not a good practise without discernment

Opening your arms to all-comers can lead to dandelion rampage (or any other rapid spreading plant).

Wanting there to be space and variety…  how to find peaceful nonviolent ways to be inclusive yet maintain space and variety without any taking over.

Yet more good

Peace in The Hive at Kew.

Despite warnings of school holiday screaming and noise levels being far from peaceful, inside The Hive all was quiet and the children seemed to be calmed and at peace there.