Welcome to 2013!
As the year came to a close, I met fellow blogger Kozo, who started an idea, or perhaps a movement called Bloggers for Peace.
The goal he sets forth is for bloggers to commit one post a month to the topic of peace during 2013.
It’s easy to think that writing about peace is for others to do, or that as individuals we wouldn’t have anything to say about such a lofty topic.
Not true!
You see,
I’ve had a Christmas card in my possession for more years than I can even remember.
It was from a box of cards that I bought; I decided to keep one for myself.
I’ve kept this card in the front, clear pocket of a binder where I kept music.
I saw it every Sunday when I sang in Church.
It has a lovely picture of a dove. It simply states
PEACE is not a season. It is a way of life.
This aging card had been a constant, visible reminder to me
as in individual
to be prayerful
to be kind
to pause before before I act impulsively
to consider how my actions may affect someone else
to be grateful
to say thank-you
to spread goodwill
to smile
to be sincere
to persevere in a walk of holiness
to live a life of peace.
I would like to believe that I always remember these considerations.
Sadly,
I’m far from perfect.
What this means is I have plenty of room for improvement!
As I wonder where 2013 will take me
I can strive to live out the gentle reminder from my Christmas card.
PEACE is not a season. It is a way of life.
Will you consider writing a blog a month on the topic of peace?
If you’d like to find out more, be sure to check out Kozo’s blog!
Jan 01, 2013 @ 19:00:58
Sounds like a great idea. Let me think about how and when I can fit it into my blog. I’m not a good writer, but I may give this a try.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Jan 01, 2013 @ 19:04:55
Hi Francine. I suspect that any way to choose to express the topic ,,,pictures…a poem…prose…will be just great! If you search under the tag B4Peace you’ll see a variety of works by other bloggers! Best wishes to you!
Jan 01, 2013 @ 19:06:23
THANKS!
Jan 01, 2013 @ 19:35:56
You’re very welcome! You have such a lovely blog…why change your approach?
Jan 01, 2013 @ 19:25:39
Thanks for what you believe and what you do!
Jan 01, 2013 @ 19:36:40
Thanks, J M! I appreciate that!
Jan 01, 2013 @ 20:26:57
Beautiful. Peace. Persevere and believe, Cathy. Although none of us are perfect, you are closer than you give yourself credit for.
Jan 01, 2013 @ 20:44:39
HI Gemma. You are too kind. I thought of the peace sign on your blog when I saw the logo for the challenge!
Jan 01, 2013 @ 20:27:11
Great concept, Cathy. Wishing you a happy and peaceful year.
Jan 01, 2013 @ 20:45:39
Hello adinparadise. Have a wonderful new year! Thank-you!
Jan 01, 2013 @ 20:43:49
Thank you for this wonderful post, Cathy. I love the card you saved. Peace is a way of life. Part of what Bloggers for Peace aims to do is make peace an integral part of our lives.
I also love your word cloud. I can tell by the words that are emphasized that you are already a Preacher of Peace. Thank you.
Jan 01, 2013 @ 20:57:15
Hello Kozo. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Peace is a way of life. We can strive to practice peace and kindness everyday. I believe it can be contagious!
I enjoyed making the word cloud. They can be a good expression for our thoughts! I don’t want to think of Bloggers for Peace as a challenge, but rather a goal as far as writing a post a month. I look forward to continuing on this theme! Best wishes.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 01:54:53
Late Happy New Year Dear !!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 18:58:26
Hello Fredy! Thank-you and same to you!!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 13:38:53
What a beautiful notion! During the holidays many strive to be kinder and give more. During the earliest part of the year they strive to be better people. Then, it’s all too often forgotten. Peace is not a season… a simple reminder with a powerful impact. Thanks Cathy.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 19:02:34
Hello Smile Scavenger! You’re very welcome. It’s true that when all the decorations are put away and all the gifts are unwrapped that we tend to loose focus. It goes beyond gift-giving and New Year resolutions! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 17:18:53
Reblogged this on heartflow2013 and commented:
A wonderful way to start out 2013: Peace Is Not A Season – It’s A Way Of Life!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 19:19:38
Hello heartflow2013! It just felt like the right thing to do to start the new year in this way! Thank-you so much for re-blogging my post!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 18:26:07
That is a super idea Cathy. Those words are so true, Peace is not a season… I find it so interesting that all of us bloggers come from all walks of life, different backgrounds and faith, yet we are all family in a way. What better group of people to work at promoting peace than us – world peace and inner peace we can make this world a better place.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 19:11:04
Hi Patty! So true! We express ourselves in so many different ways through prose, poetry, photography, song and videos…yet we can all project a positive, supportive and uplifting message!
Part of the reason I wanted to do this was that I just mentioned to my husband that I was getting tired of seeing “tabloid” headlines from a variety of sources.
Isn’t there a different message that can be conveyed?
I think so…and I hope that together we can make a difference for someone who may hear that message.
Sounds like a pie-in-the-sky dream? I hope not.
Thanks, as always for your comment, my friend!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 19:44:10
It just reminds me of that song… “peace, let it begin with me” I have been thinking of that song most of the year. It takes one person to light the candle…I think it was Kathy Troccoli who sang something to the affect about lighting our candles and setting the world on fire…
Jan 02, 2013 @ 20:03:20
Yes, I’ve been humming that song, too! I also have a little bookmark that someone gave me a long time ago. Funny the things we keep…”It it better to light a candle than to curse the darkness…”
It looks like you have a possible post in the making!
Jan 03, 2013 @ 19:24:57
maybe… ?!
Jan 02, 2013 @ 22:35:12
What a wonderful goal for 2013. I look forward to reading the posts. Happy New Year!
Jan 05, 2013 @ 11:02:19
Thanks, Sheryl! I’m looking forward to writing about this!
Jan 03, 2013 @ 04:58:15
What a great sentiment, we should all remember that.
Jan 05, 2013 @ 11:04:09
Hi Trudi! Truth be told, I feel indebted to the wise person who created the Christmas card! Whoever created the card inspired me to take up the call!
Jan 03, 2013 @ 05:02:15
Great Concept.
Peace is not a Season. It is a way of Life. :: TRUE to the word.
Thank you for sharing this.
ALL THE BEST.
Jan 05, 2013 @ 11:06:26
Thanks, lvsrao! As I mentioned earlier, a wise person created the message. How fortunate that I was in place to see the Christmas card, and, that I felt the call to respond to it! I’m pleased to meet you!
Jan 03, 2013 @ 14:11:04
Hi, I have nominated you for 3 awards! Please check out the link for more information.
http://helpwithyourlife.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/duplicate-awards-and-multiple-thanks/
Congratulations! Blessings, Cathie
Jan 05, 2013 @ 11:08:06
Hello helpwithyourlife! How sweet of you! I will check out the post. It may take me a while to respond to awards, but I do enjoy passing them forward! Thanks.
Jan 04, 2013 @ 00:16:14
Jan 04, 2013 @ 00:19:03
Hi Cathy, through your beautiful post I have decided to join “Bloggers for Peace” Here is my first entry. http://wp.me/p23TG1-1Xf Thank you for your inspiration.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Jan 05, 2013 @ 11:17:09
It was wonderful! I just passed along the message – so glad you are participating! Thanks!
Jan 05, 2013 @ 11:33:01
Hello everyone,
I want to give you an update for this post.
I’ve always felt that credit should go to the wise person who created my wonderful Christmas card!
I decided to research the card further. After conducting some online searches, I discovered that the person who created the card is an artist who happens to be a WordPress blogger!
I reached out to her to thank her for her card and her wisdom. She was very gracious. She also requested that her blog be kept private.
I am very happy to respect her wishes. I’m also glad I was able to share that her card was an inspiration to me over the years.
Thank-you, for your lovely comments. I have been touched and deeply humbled. I look forward to having a dialogue with you as we continue to share our thoughts about PEACE.
Jan 05, 2013 @ 18:01:16
I can see why you saved that card! Beautiful thoughts.
Jan 05, 2013 @ 18:44:23
Hi natureintheburbs! Yes, it’s meant a lot to me over the years. I never tire of seeing it. Thanks!
Jan 05, 2013 @ 22:31:41
This is a very beautiful sentiment…I could vow to right about peace once a month, but, each post would inevitably be written on the “Prince of Peace”…Which, I probably need to get back to musing with more …
Bless You
~Happy New Year~
Jan 06, 2013 @ 21:57:51
Hello sonsofthunder! I can understand why you may want to write about that topic!
Thanks very much for stopping by my site. Have a safe and blessed new year!
Jan 08, 2013 @ 08:44:07
Jan 09, 2013 @ 04:28:11
thanks for stopping by…..just rolling a smallpebble……we don’t have to “try” to be peaceful, peace is our true nature…..it is always there……(but sometimes the “me story” forgets!)……….
‘Give ☮ Peace ☮ a Chance’ « To Mother Earth, with Love
Jan 12, 2013 @ 17:51:38
Jan 16, 2013 @ 13:21:48
what a lovely card; I can see why you kept it! Thank you for sharing
Jan 19, 2013 @ 14:57:14
Hello electronicbaglady! Yes, it’s always been a special keepsake – thanks!
Jan 17, 2013 @ 03:24:15
Really I appreciable ,I like beautiful thoughts
Thanks for sharing here!
Jan 19, 2013 @ 14:58:31
You are very welcome! I’m glad you stopped by!
Bloggers For Peace: The Secret to Peace | Chronicles of the Journey
Feb 08, 2013 @ 12:40:04
Bloggers For Peace: The Secret to Peace | Mystic D'Lights
Feb 28, 2013 @ 07:40:56