Origami paper, gemstone beads, soul nourishing food, cooking, going with the flow, slipping in where I'm needed, letting writing sing, supporting the folks I love, nurturing community, spiritual healing, peacebirthing and most of all listening to Spirit.

As a person who is living in the aftermath of emotional and verbal slicing and shredding and other abuse as a child - my initial response to raised voices, hostility and agression tends to be to freeze and retreat.  I am continuing to work toward being a peaceful presence in myself in such situations - and to mediate as opportunities arise.  One of the most important parts of this work is dealing with anger and dark places in myself and others.  I also seek to overturn and/or reform systems and institutions that oppress and do violence.


I work deeply toward breaking silence around abuse, finding creative and Spirit affirming ways to live in the aftermath - and help other people confront violence and heal.  I have joyfully participated in a number of national actions with Soulforce and much of my faith life is built in and on seeking peace with justice through the Baptist Peace Fellowship and other organizations.


love and blessings -


Sylvia



After some reflection - I decided to share the following poem:





“You’re awesome!” chirped the little sprite with the ashen curls and the pert face.


Such matter of fact affirmation -


Evoking a torrent of tears testifying to so many years and so many little ones inside so savaged and so determined to forge ahead in the face of such unrelenting un-ease.

Taunting night terrors, consuming the days with aching body resistance -

Still fighting the horrific invasions that marauded toddlerhood decades ago.


What is peace?  A moment’s relief/release from the hamster wheel of consequences for actions not my/our own?

A serene space inside myself/ourselves?

The glowing, awe-full Presence of the Divine feminine?  Elusive, energizing, mighty, comforting?

Breathing deep

Feeling safe

Moving lightly

Loving ourselves

Living in creative flow

Being in touch with innocence

Believing in ourselves

Knowing we have what we need

Connecting with someone in loving partnership

Speaking up believing and being believed

Singing our heart songs

Sharing radiant joy

Building a beautifully happiness filled life

Dancing with other healing inner children

Connecting with four-footed beings

Moving to someplace that is ours, still among trees

Sharing nurturing and love

How aggressive, predatory, destructive behavior is honored, supported and even rewarded at the individual, communal, societal and world levels.

Creative responses to violence and agression and predatory behavior where folks support each other in standing up, speaking out and claiming fuller humanity.  People who support each other lovingly, respecting choices, boundaries, needs, desires and goals at the individual, communal, societal, planetary and multiverse levels.

Hi, folks - one of the big topics of conversation the last couple weeks, particularly with out of state people - is election protection in Ohio.  If that is something you've been thinking about - you'll find some resources below that might be helpful.

From the True Vote website:


"The TrueVote.US website is updated daily with election news so check back frequently to see how the administration of elections is proceeding. Also, check NoMoreStolenElections.org for more information about what you can do to protect the integrity of the 2008 election."


Also - www.commoncause.org is recruiting folks to help with various aspects of election protection - useful if you live in a hotly contested state like Ohio (yay us [rueful look]) or are willing to help out in one of the hotly contested states on or before election day.


I went to the local Board of Elections office and voted today - it was hopeful to see the number of folks voting, even at 4:45 on a Tuesday - how well marked the route into the office was with signs that encouraged people to "VOTE TODAY" - and to talk with the clerk about their preparations for E-day.  If you live in a state with early voting and/or open absentee voting - voting now helps a) keep the lines shorter on election day and b) frees up campaign workers to focus their efforts on folks who haven't voted yet.


Here's to positive change in the US -



love and blessings -


Sylvia

Cooking for other people as well as myself.  Playing and creating with gemstone crystal beads and origami paper.  Using organic lavender essential oil.  Dragons.  Just about anything purple.  Phone calls - especially with friends.  Whimsy.  Accoustic guitar music.  Good one liners from my favorite authors.  Being with people I love - in person, through the net, in whatever ways.

Hi, folks - I find the scary creepy aspects of All Hallow's Eve (Halloween) celebrations challenging and off-putting.  So I usually just celebrate All Saint's Day (November 1st) and All Souls' Day - my birthday, November 2nd.  This year I'm deliberately reframing Halloween for myself - with the help of friends in Play Pod, and a couple of creative websites:


Bring Your Own Pumpkin  (YesWeCarve)


Pumpkin Provided


If you happen to be inspired by the first site - I'd love to see a picture of your creation :-)  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a way to copy an image of my HOPE carving on the second site.



Enjoy!


peace and blessings -


Sylvia