Manifesting Peace

At a recent lunch with a dear old friend we talked about how we endure these terrifying times and keep our hearts and minds safe. We are both old ladies and see only too clearly the urgency of choosing safety and beauty and positive experiences; AND we are also enraged at what the government of this country has become. She uttered some wise words: “I am not going to let Donald Trump steal my happiness.” Those words have stayed with me. I have been keeping those words close and reminding myself time and time again that I do not need to digest enormous amounts of news, that I don’t need to gnash my teeth and fulminate with anger at the horrors perpetrated by Trump and his ignorant thugs.

So how do we express our outrage and join in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are protesting fearlessly?

First of all, we speak up. We persevere with our words and offer them up for all to hear. Set aside fear and speak. Secondly, we show up to stand with others who are protesting. The monks who have been marching from Texas to Washington are showing us the way. They aren’t speaking but they sure are marching through all kinds of difficult winter weather - with their faithful dog Aloka - and they’re saying in effect that PEACE is the only way. People in all the towns they have walked through are welcoming them, celebrating them, and most likely feeling enormous relief and comfort that these stalwart souls will persevere in their journey to help all who witness them understand the depth of nonviolent communication. It seems that the feeling of helplessness across the nation is being healed and soothed, so that hope can emerge again.

Old people like myself are showing up everywhere - perhaps not marching for miles and miles - but they are bearing witness to this display of determined resistance. I have decided to take every opportunity I can and join in this witnessing, if only in my own small northern California community. A group of Quakers in my senior living community are planning to show up regularly to stand in solidarity for peace, and I’m going to join them. I want to be a part of this nationwide movement that is saying; NO to cruelty, NO to lying, killing, to shredding the Constitution.

This country was founded on that bedrock principle of freedom of expression and now is the time that we must exercise this principle to the fullest if our democracy is to survive. So, let’s be a part of this revolutionary resistance, let’s join hands with one another, let’s resist, and express our love for the country! This will bring some joy back into our lives, I think, as it fortifies community and a sense that none of us has to suffer alone.

Bows of gratitude to those brave monks in their beautiful orange robes who remind us every day they march of the power of love and compassion.

May you all find your peaceful expression and stand up and speak the truth,

Mag