When I started my B4Peace journey I thought it would be 12 months long, a chance to do something different and connect my work to something more widespread. It was a chance to think about the part of me that yearns to speak up against the negatives I see in the world.
It didn’t always work out that way, and the link to my writing hasn’t always been at the forefront of my posts, but I am glad I got involved.
This could have been my last post. However I recently saw that a new year of blogging for peace is ready to roll out, with a new set of challenges.
So this month’s challenge – to plan a party for peace – is not the fond farewell it might have been. Instead it’s a New Year celebration, with fairy lights and fireworks.
There were a lot of things to consider for this party for peace. Who would be there, as guests or as performers? What would be discussed? Where would it be?
When I looked back at all my peace posts this year, I realised I’ve spent the last year preparing for these questions!
I already have a location in mind – the grounds of beautiful ruins, surrounded by nature. Somewhere we can look around and think about our experience of peace.
There will be a big banner signalling the purpose of the event. The entertainment will include poetry, thoughtful music, restful music, and art . We can really look at the world around us, engage in the moment, and create new entertainment too.
Everyone can discuss their dreams of peace, the language of peace and the importance of forgiveness. And eat party food!
The whole world will be invited, of course – because forgiving, and accepting, is a path to peace; by forgiving, we educate others. By showing kindness even to those who have hurt us, we become ambassadors for peace.
At the end of my party, I’ll give everyone a party bag to take home, with two presents inside. One will be a seed of peace, to be planted wherever the ground is bare. The other will be a word of peace, ready to use when needed.
Oh, and there will be cake in there too; it’s not a party bag without cake!
I will carry on blogging about peace through 2014, and look forward to seeing what challenges Kozo comes up with for the next 12 months…
Happy writing,
EJ
🙂
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