Although I was unable to go to Paris, London or elsewhere, nevertheless, I have not been without sentiment or thoughts for those who suffered, died and who live. I hold no weapons but shall promote and support the written word for expression and imagery. Everyone should be able to express opinion even though this may sit uncomfortably with others. It is the nature of human beings. The news has made me more aware of different viewpoints. I don't always understand cartoons or jokes but realize they are powerful tools to deliver a message without many words.
The dream is that all peoples should be kind to each other, respect opinion, belief, faith, diversity, difference and sameness. We are all from the same mould, sharing fundamental basic instincts. Deep, deep within, we need to give and receive love, to be cherished and cared for, to return the same. It is why people seek others with whom to live. Those who hurt, maim, or kill, I do not understand them. Perhaps emotional experiences have been very poor. I know not! I cannot judge.
My dream is that people may live alongside each other as well as live PEACEFULLY together in whichever country they visit or live, whatever their nationality or faith.
I really believe that whenever anyone has wronged us, hurt us, damaged us, even in our own perception, then we need to learn to forgive others before fighting escalates. It takes patience, tolerance, energy and time to understand ourselves and others.
I believe that JUSTICE will PREVAIL! What goes around will come around!
The press today, Monday 12 January 2015, made additional comment on the history of a country in which I have chosen to live. They have also provided further information about the tragedy. Some have also highlighted how other tragedies in the world have been unreported or little reported in the media.
Showing posts with label Peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peace. Show all posts
Monday, 12 January 2015
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Gaudate et Joyeux Noel 2013
Joyeux Noël with my favourite photo of the village chateau first published Christmas 2012
Restless in France wishes everyone
a very festive twelve days of Christmastide
with Peace, Joy, Hope, Patience and Charity, good health and happiness.
May you spend happy, restful moments with family and or friends or even alone if that is the case.
Gaudate
ADDENDUM: at almost 10am Christmas Day, I count my blessings whilst feeling sad for all those in UK who have flooded homes and are without power. None of us are immune from natural disaster. I expect the price of heating and lighting will soar even more. Ah who was it who said HUMBUG?
Friday, 26 July 2013
In memory of a father
This poem and the following hymn came to me on the day of his funeral. I read and sang impromptu at his funeral where there was no other family member apart from myself and daughter:
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
1932 by Mary Elizabeth Frye
Friday, 11 November 2011
Peace and Understanding
Peace is essential for living. Not only do we try to remember those who without dignity died fighting in the most dire conditions that you would not even expect an animal to endure but also we try to remember that they died struggling for peace, understanding and acceptance of the differences between different lands, cultures and peoples. Sometimes perhaps we should try and forget past aggressions and wars so that inner peace within us has an opportunity to develop and bring harmony to the world as well as to our inner soul, our family and friends.
For many years I upheld the Catholic faith to the best of my ability which was never good enough and I knew that. But what is perfect? Before that I had my own beliefs which I continued to believe with modification and despite loving much of the Catholic faith especially the songs and hymns which I used to play every day on the piano, I never became a Catholic in the 23 years that I worked within the Catholic environment. Two more years and I would have been eligible for a Papal medal if the secretary was awarded one after 25 years service to the establishment! I made mistakes but I did my best not to be hypocritical (yet I think I probably was) and I did my best to keep the peace and to teach children that respect between people is a gift and is something to be valued in our attempt to acknowledge that people are very much the same despite differences in appearance, faiths, beliefs and much more.
When my father died this is the song that came spontaneously and which I sang all alone in a Church in Spain where there was no other family member except my daughter. He saw terrible atrocities in the war and told me about some on the very last day I ever met him. It was as if a burden had been lifted for him because he said he had never ever told anyone this part of his story. His only sibling sister was dying and he knew he would never see her again. Tragically, he died soon after from a traffic accident and lost the power of speech. He made his own decision not to burden anyone.
This is the song I sang spontaneously today just after 11am on 11th day of the 11th month of the year 2011 as I sat in my garden listening to the clock strike the hour, as I sat and with my own reflections with hands covered in dirt and imagined those who fought in trenches, those who fought for the Fair Winds of France and England to bring freedom from fighting, to give those who came after Peace. Each verse is repeated but Peace is replaced with Love, Joy, Hope.
On another note:
Today I was speaking to a friend about the larger pansies which compared to the diminutive ones seem to have a disappointed attitude as they bow their heads.
For many years I upheld the Catholic faith to the best of my ability which was never good enough and I knew that. But what is perfect? Before that I had my own beliefs which I continued to believe with modification and despite loving much of the Catholic faith especially the songs and hymns which I used to play every day on the piano, I never became a Catholic in the 23 years that I worked within the Catholic environment. Two more years and I would have been eligible for a Papal medal if the secretary was awarded one after 25 years service to the establishment! I made mistakes but I did my best not to be hypocritical (yet I think I probably was) and I did my best to keep the peace and to teach children that respect between people is a gift and is something to be valued in our attempt to acknowledge that people are very much the same despite differences in appearance, faiths, beliefs and much more.
When my father died this is the song that came spontaneously and which I sang all alone in a Church in Spain where there was no other family member except my daughter. He saw terrible atrocities in the war and told me about some on the very last day I ever met him. It was as if a burden had been lifted for him because he said he had never ever told anyone this part of his story. His only sibling sister was dying and he knew he would never see her again. Tragically, he died soon after from a traffic accident and lost the power of speech. He made his own decision not to burden anyone.
This is the song I sang spontaneously today just after 11am on 11th day of the 11th month of the year 2011 as I sat in my garden listening to the clock strike the hour, as I sat and with my own reflections with hands covered in dirt and imagined those who fought in trenches, those who fought for the Fair Winds of France and England to bring freedom from fighting, to give those who came after Peace. Each verse is repeated but Peace is replaced with Love, Joy, Hope.
Peace is flowing like a river,
Flowing out through you and me,
Spreading out into the desert,
Setting all the captives free.
Flowing out through you and me,
Spreading out into the desert,
Setting all the captives free.
On another note:
Today I was speaking to a friend about the larger pansies which compared to the diminutive ones seem to have a disappointed attitude as they bow their heads.
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