Spreading Peace

October 22, 2023

Sunrise, October 18, 2023

Great Spirit Prayer

Oh, Great Spirit,
Whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to all the world.
Hear me! I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty, 
and make my eyes
ever hold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands
 respect the things you have made
and my ears 
sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise 
so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons
 you have hidden
in every leaf and rock

Help me remain calm and strong in the
face of all that comes towards me.
Help me find compassion without
empathy overwhelming me.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy: myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit may come to you without shame.

- Translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887
(With gratitude to David Cabrera, who shared this in Sangha)

Today I was asked: “What does Love ask of me, today, in this moment, now?” The only answer that came: “Peace”

American avocets, I hope the first (and not the last) of the shorebirds this season. Avocets are very calm, most of the time they embody peace.

I wanted to answer with words, some brilliant writing saying just the right thing to soothe nerves, warm hearts, and somehow make the wars stop. The answer that came was not words. Rather it was videos and images of peace. So often I think I need to write more - today I think I need to write less.

I wasn’t the first to the shore. The deer left their imprint on the sand.

I wasn’t first on this day either, judging by the footprints under the water:

“People say walking on water is a miracle, but to me walking peacefully on the Earth is the real miracle.” - Thich Nat Hang

The sky paintings are so much more vast than anything humans can create.

To everyone who is struggling - I wish you peace.

A safe place to land.

To everyone who faces hardships - I wish you peace.

Sunrise is one of the most peaceful times of the day.

To those whose hearts just can’t hold another piece of news - I wish you peace.

The early morning stars outside my door - the same stars seen by so many around the world.

To those facing war, famine, hate, injustice, inequity, discrimination and so much more - I wish you peace.

May you always find a light in the darkness, a doorway through the troubled times.

Today the short version of my prayer is this: “Make me an instrument of thy peace.”

Egret flying peacefully in the early morning.

In the name of spreading peace, I am going to be sending my extra posts to all subscribers for a while and offering a substantial discount on the paid membership through the holidays. Subscribing, gifting a subscription, and sharing are all ways you can help me spread peace.

I leave you with raindrops falling gently on the pond. My YouTube channel is becoming a playlist of peace.