Sunday, 2/16/03

It's been since Viet Nam that I'd participated in any kind of demonstration. But circumstances are critical, and Spirit called. So I spent Saturday from noon to 3 PM with thousands of other people (reports said hundreds, 3000, 4500, 6000, and 7500 - the last one seems most accurate to me) at the Roundhouse and then the Santa Fe Plaza (and on the streets in between) taking a stand for peace. Immediately on arriving I ran into a couple from Unity Santa Fe and spent the rest of the time with them. I also ran into a number of other people I knew from the church.

Compared to the days of Viet Nam demonstrations, what stood out to me:

1. The demographics of the crowd were much more varied. Many of us were of the age that we may have been veterans of the marches in the late '60s and early '70s. The couple I spent the afternoon with were. There were children, teens, young people, very old people, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, straight, gay, lesbian, short-hairs, long-hairs, teachers, librarians, therapists, clergy, war vets, blind, hearing-impaired, in wheel-chairs, dogs, and you name it.

2. There was much less anger than I remember 35 years ago and much more humor.

3. There was much more spirituality in the presentations than I recall back then.

4. Rather than attacking us and arresting us, the police were blocking intersections for us and escorting us along our way. Some of them were downright friendly.

I felt inspired. With the turn-out not only in Santa Fe, but all over the world, I imagined that our statement might have been heard and noted and that the world's leaders might have reconsidered their war mongering. We shall see.

Nevertheless, we still have work to do. Unity Santa Fe is considering a prayer vigil. Other actions are being planned all over the world.

For me, the most important thing is that I am living in accord with my integrity and that I am following Spirit's call. Obviously it's time to take a stand again.

This morning Rev. Brendalyn did her talk about peace, how it relates to prosperity, and how it's a principle of our New Thought spirituality. She was there yesterday, too. She asked how many of us in church this morning had been. Quite a few hands went up. I'm going to write up notes on what she said, and I'll send them along to anyone who requests them. One of the things she repeated 5 times was, "How much time would you spend praying for peace and being peace in the world if you knew it would make a difference?"

I ask myself every day how my life contributes to love, peace, compassion, and kindness on this planet.

I encourage you to consider, too: What are you doing to bring peace to the planet?

May peace prevail on earth, and may it begin with me.

Peace~Shalom~Salaam,
Michael