Today, 4th November, over 70,000 people are writing about peace on their blogs. This is organised by ‘Blog4Peace’ which was started by Mimi Lenox 10 years ago. Now over 70,000 bloggers join her on this day each year, to record their messages of hope and peace.
I heard about this from a blog I follow, Dancing With Sunflowers. Janice Heppenstall has written about the darkness and despair of current times, the wish to make it better, and the importance of small acts of peace. I think if I tried to add my own version of what Janice has written then I’d only be paraphrasing her words, so with her permission I’ve put a link here so you can read her words yourself.
Sometimes I just feel helpless in the face of the cruelty and bleakness in the world. Some days I avoid watching the news because it feels like there’s nothing I can do except feel rage and despair, which doesn’t change anything or help anyone.
I find peace and hope in the people I love, in nature, and in the vibrant colours of art and textiles. But I do sometimes feel guilty about enjoying such things when other people don’t have the basics of clean water, safety, shelter or food. I feel a sense of responsibility to know what is happening in the world, as if I should be ready to spring into action ‘when the time comes’. I read about the courage of people who put their freedom or even their lives at risk in order to fight for what they believe in. In their shoes, I wonder if I would have the courage to stand my ground, with sword or pen (or computer mouse) in hand? Or would I actually be cowering behind safety, wishing I was braver? I guess none of us know which way we would leap at the crucial moment.
Recently when I was worrying about what I could actually do to help, I read a call-out for volunteers to load a lorry going out to Iraq loaded with donated medical supplies. It was in a warehouse two streets away from me, on a day when I wasn’t working, and so it was easy to walk round and spend the morning lifting and carrying. It was a small gesture – one morning of my life – but what else can you do except small things?
There are places in the world where writing about peace, or even writing a blog about anything at all, would mean risking your life. It seems a small thing to do, to add my voice to the 70,000 people who are blogging today about peace, knowing I can do so with no risk to my own safety or well-being. Looking for hope, in place of words I offer you an image that reminds me of beauty in the world. This lovely creature sat on my finger for five minutes in the summer, taking my breath away with his delicate colours. Surely there has to be hope while there is such beauty in the world.
I’m glad you added your voice and that I got to read it! Peace!
Thanks – good to hear from you.
Welcome to the peace globe movement!
Your peace globe and post is a fine example of how one person can initiate thoughtful change and make an impact in this complicated world. You write so well and your photography is really lovely. What an incredible little creature!
I enjoyed reading your words. Many agree with you.
We believe that words – your words – are powerful. This matters so much! Thank you for adding your ripple of peace to the world.
Peace to you and yours,
Mimi Lenox
Thank you for replying Mimi, and thank you for starting this movement. If you follow the link in my blog, you’ll find the blog where I heard about Dona Nobis Pacem.
Hi and welcome to Blogblast. This is my 9th year and it’s been such a wonderful experience.
I loved your post, you echoed my own thoughts. My post this year is actually called “Butterflies cloaked in blue fire” so your butterfly photo made me grin. 😀
oooohh…. now I have to go look at your art. I used to do a lot of embroidery art, but my hands have issues nowadays, so i’ve moved on to computer art. 🙂
Best peace wishes from blustery cold Scotland
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for dropping by. I’ve only just discovered the ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’ blogs this year but will make sure to find it again next year. Sorry to hear that hand issues get in the way of embroidery, but it sounds like you’ve found other creative outlets.
Good to hear from you.
Jane
ohhh this is so beautiful!
Thank you!
Beautiful written and love the pictures 🙂 Pawkisses for a Peaceful Weekend 🙂 <3
Thank you. You too!
Beautiful peace post. Thanks for adding your voice.
Thank you for replying – it’s good to know others are out there.
You have brought a vibrant voice to the peace blogger movement. Welcome. When you speak of doing one thing, that is all you can do. Help one person, one family, one animal, one spirit yearning for peace. It is enough.
Namaste,
CyberCelt
Thank you – it always seems like we could do more, but we can only do what we can.
Hello Jane, and I’m so sorry for taking so long to respond.
Your Dona Nobis Pacem post is beautiful. I agree with all you say. I’m reminded of something Angelina Joile said recently, that she often wondered why she had the fortune to be born where and when she was and to have so many opportunities while another woman with the same talents and hopes but none of the opportunities on the other side of the world had a very different life with none of the privileges at all. What I like about people like her is that she uses her celebrity to make a difference. Shakira does the same, and many more like them.
I don’t want to feel guilty for my life. Instead I want to be able to do what I can to make a difference. I know that you are doing that too. We can do little things, and lots and lots of little things add up to a big difference.
I feel blessed to have made friends in real life and online with so many like-minded people. Yesterday was a huge blow, and finding the balance between acknowledging the problems and the angry voices whilst not reacting to them or letting them invade my space is a constant battle. At the moment I simply can’t bare to watch the News. But I will continue to do little things for refugees, for people in our country who are less advantaged than me, and for the people around me. The more people who do, the more likely we are to tip the balance.
Thank you for deciding to add your voice to the cause. x
Thank you Janice. Yes it’s hard to watch the news at the moment isn’t it? It seems so unreal. I agree with your comment about not feeling guilty if you have a good life – in principle I think it’s best to appreciate what you have and enjoy it, and to try to share it where you can. Today I went out to my local park to gather autumn leaves and then came back and pressed them ready for projects – a good escape from the news. I agree with your comments – there’s no point feeling guilty (that doesn’t help anyone). If small things are all we can do then it’s important that we do them. It’s good to hear encouraging voices in the wilderness!