Like these prayer flags–seemingly at the mercy of the elements–we will lift our faces toward the sun, humble but fervent in expressing our best hopes, prayers, and dreams for each other and the world.
Peace, peace, peace.
Today we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, Nobel Laureate and civil rights activist who dedicated his life to “peace, social justice, and opportunity for all Americans, irrespective of color or creed.”
Today we commemorate the undeniable force behind Dr. King’s words, the unmistakable impact of his willingness to “pray with his feet.” As we examine his place in history, we reflect equally on his physical footprint and the truths he held self-evident.
It’s a good day, also, to think about our personal legacies. Where do we stand in the long arc of history? When we “tell it on the mountain,” what’s being echoed in the valleys below? I’ve illustrated a small sampling of Dr. King’s quotes, because they speak to my own ideals and aspirations. Feel free to download them and share.
The Robin is the One
That speechless from her Nest
Submit that Home — and Certainty
And Sanctity, are best. —Emily Dickinson
Three explosions ripped through Brussels earlier this morning, killing at least 34 innocent people and injuring 134. In the aftermath of this terrorist attack, people are linking arms with Belgium via social media.
To their voices, I add my whispered prayers: Peace among nations, peace in our homes, peace in our hearts.
And I hear the quiet echo of my grandmother’s voice, a comfort to me on this shrouded morning. “In the darkest nights of winter,” my Nana always said, “watch the skies and listen for the robins.”
Violence cast a pall over this second day of Spring. The robin’s song is muted by grief. And still–because of, and despite the horrors of this moment–I carry within my heart an anthem: Cheer cheer, cheerily, cheer up, cheer up…change is gonna come.
When was the last time you spent a relaxing day at the beach, completely unplugged–
resting quietly at the ocean’s edge,
utterly mesmerized by waves that froth and curl, and then ease themselves ashore?
When’s the last time you saw a seagull take wing,
or spied a honeybee, humming a song about sunshine as it collects pollen?
Do you remember the last time you heard the ocean’s lullaby,
felt it ease the wrinkles from your worried brow?
(Did you figure it out already? This week’s art challenge prompt is the word CALM.)
Want to see more? My responses to previous challenges are available here.
I’ve been re-reading some of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s sermons from the 60s, in honor of his birthday celebration. This particular passage is a response to America’s involvement in the Vietnam war. How prescient, how relevant it seems today!
“[W]e must find an alternative to war and bloodshed….President Kennedy said on one occasion, “Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.” The world must hear this. I pray to God that America will hear this before it is too late, because today we’re fighting a war….”
“It is no longer a choice, my friends, between violence and nonviolence. It is either nonviolence or nonexistence.”
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
Remaining Awake Through A Great Revolution (bold emphases mine)
You can read more of Dr. King’s thoughts on war and peace here or listen to a short speech excerpt — a call to arms for those who might reasonably wonder how a single individual can help make world peace a reality.
UPDATE: Check out the side-by-side rhetoric stylings of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bill O’Reilly.http://dg.specificclick.net/?u=http%3A//www.livejournal.com/stc/fck/editor/fckeditor.html%3FInstanceName%3Ddraft%26Toolbar%3DUpdate&r=
Last night, I took a time-out from packing for New York to march in an anti-escalation peace rally in Laguna Beach.
What’s the appropriate attire for a peace demonstration, anyway? I wasn’t entirely sure. I’m too young to have any hold-over hippie clothes hanging in my closet, so I had to forego the prototypical tie-dyed T-shirt, peace pendant, and daisy-embroidered jeans. Since it was an after-dark gathering by the water, I figured I’d wear something California Casual and warm. I pulled on a hoodie, jeans and leather jacket, and stopped for a non-fat, sugar-free vanilla latte – extra hot – to warm up my hands. Peace Now, new-millennium style.
Here, a quick run-down of some of the sights and sounds of our rally, before I finish my packing:
*A line-up of about 150 candle- and placard-carrying protesters, waving at people who drove past on Pacific Coast Highway. In front of us, a steady stream of cars; behind us, this lifeguard station and the reassuring sounds of ocean waves lapping against the shore.
*Honking horns — a frequent automotive “amen.” Toyota Prius drivers seemed most likely to bleat their horns in support. But — big surprise! — a Hummer limo also blared its approval as it passed.
*A silver-haired lady listening to Neil Young’s War Song on her iPod.
*Dogs as billboards…for instance, a dachshund wearing a leopard-spotted coat covered with End the Occupation stickers, and an obese Labrador who sported a T-shirt covered with anti-war slogans.
*A potential trophy wife, auburn hair extensions blowing in the breeze, dressed for activism in stiletto-heeled suede boots, Lucky jeans and a calf-length cardigan coat.
*A scruffy middle-aged man, carrying a large American flag, standing sentry behind our line-up.
*Ubiquitous tea candles in plastic cups, flames flickering in the wind…and the miner’s flashlight, shining brightly from a Birkenstock-wearing woman’s forehead.
*A seventy-year-old man (or so I’m guessing), pacing and punching the air with an uplifted fist, shouting, “No.More.War!”
*A photographer stepping out into traffic to get a panoramic picture; a woman approaching him to ask in a nervous whisper, “Are you sending that to Homeland Security?”
*Code Pink activists carrying pink peace signs and, in one case, a slogan-covered pink umbrella.
Sadly, while our group of activists (and nearly 500 similar groups across the country) availed ourselves of our Constitutional right to express our opinions, 300 soldiers’ voices were actively suppressed. From the Washington Post:
“To ensure that there would be no discordant notes [at Fort Benning during President Bush’s visit], Maj. Gen. Walter Wojdakowski, the base commander, prohibited the 300 soldiers who had lunch with the president from talking with reporters. If any of them harbored doubts about heading back to Iraq, many for the third time, they were kept silent.”
Totally unrelated: If scandalous or happy news breaks while I’m away, leave me a message, will ya? You already know how much I like to stay “in the know”!
“After the voters, the generals, and the Iraq Study Group all told President Bush to lead us out of Iraq, he is planning an escalation and will send more troops as soon as this month. Congress can block an escalation but it is uncertain if they will. They need to hear from us immediately.
TONIGHT, MoveOn members across the country are organizing Emergency Rallies to Stop Iraq Escalation. Host your own event or search for one in your community here.*”
Pass the word…post this to your blog and forward it to your friends and family.
Please also call or write your representatives.
*I’ll be at this one if you want to meet up with me:
When: Thursday, January 11, 5:00 PM
Where: Main Beach, corner of PCH and Ocean Avenue, on the ocean side of the street
Laguna Beach, California
Do you sometimes see your blog as a grownup version of Show-and-Tell? I admit that when I first sat down to write this post, I thought about itemizing my Santa gifts, bemoaning my questionable culinary efforts, and kvelling about my family. Isn’t that what we all used to do when we were children, once school reconvened after the holidays? But since you’re adults now and are likely busy with your own holiday happiness and mishegas, I’ll instead share a short post about one of my all-time favorite holiday songs, written and sung by John Lennon.
Originally sung as a protest to the Vietnam war, the lyrics seem especially relevant today. In 1969, Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, spread this anti-war sentiment via rented billboards and posters they strategically placed in eleven major cities around the world. The message: “WAR IS OVER! (If You Want It) Happy Christmas” resonated with millions of war-weary individuals who found themselves increasingly angry about our involvement in the Vietnam War. Eventually, the words found their way into a holiday recording, which has been remixed by several musical groups. (Source: Wikipedia)
My favorite line, “War is over/If you want it/War is over/Now!” speaks to the power of intention. The background vocals (credit: the Harlem Boys’ choir) symbolically represent the idea that we must speak out as a chorus rather than as individuals, to be sure our voices are heard. However, the deceptively simple lyrics gloss over the fact that peace is a hard-won battle. If we truly want an end to war, we must work together — regardless of our individual heritage, religion, or political affiliations — to make that goal a reality.
Let there be peace on Earth in the New Year, and let it begin with us.
UPDATE: It seems the war merchants who brought you the mythical War on Christmas are now turning a tidy profit. Anyone remember the story about the young Jesus, who overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves in the Temple? Therein lies an example of how we might choose to be less passive in our pursuit of real peace.