"Everywhere we look we see violence, in our homes, on our streets, in our schools. We see it in advertising, in films, on the news. We see it in strife within companies, communities and nations, and between them. We find it expressed physically, sexually, emotionally and psychologically. It is everywhere and we feel powerless in the face of it.
Let's just stop it. Let the writers, producers, editors and actors who portray violence stop. Let the media stop presenting stories on violence. Let parents and teachers, brothers and sisters, men and women and children stop. Let the political, social economic, judicial and religious institutions stop.
Let us all spend time in silence, stillness, meditation and prayer each day, drawing on the spirit within us to lead us into kindness, openness of heart, goodness, well-being and goodwill." from Sister Stan, "Gardening the Soul", 2001.
AND TWENTY-TWO YEARS LATER WHAT DO WE STILL SEE, HEAR AND WITNESS ALL THE TIME? LET'S JUST STOP! (This is hard for news reporters and media, but does it always have to make the front page? NO.
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Just a few small things to help us all stop and consider:
-The government collapses when the governed refuse to cease hostilities.
-Attend to small gestures alongside huge unmanageable items.
-STOP!:
Do, see, say, live, love in different ways. Breathe don’t pant.
Make the sign of the cross western style (up, down, right, left).
Make the sign of the cross eastern style (up, down left, right).
See yourself as a child at play enchanted, creating with, say, Lincoln Logs.
Be a priest. Consecrate/bless bread and wine using ancient Hebrew words.
Watch grass push slowly up through tiny cracks in cement sidewalks.
Spell divinity God, Godde, G-d, godde—same sound different variations.
Use words of immanence alongside, or instead of, words of transcendence.
Avoid gendered (he, him, his) or role-bound (Father) words for Divinity.
Because everything is scientific, doesn’t mean everything is not spiritual.
All life—human, plant, animal—is both vulnerable and venerable. G-d bless you and keep you. The face of Godde shine upon you and from within you today and always. AMEN.
