Collaboration for Peace – 52 – Pass it On!

We did it!! We set out, 52 poems and photos ago, to collaborate in bringing peace to this cyber-village of poets. In the process we each found a kindred soul and a shared passion that was not bound by borders. Now that we have reached our goal, we are asking you to continue this journey of peace. Reach out to a fellow poet or photographer (amateur or otherwise). Combine your talents to express your thoughts about peace and inspire others to do the same. At the very least, you will challenge each other, and make a meaningful connection from across the miles. Let us know in the comments if you have decided to take on the challenge. We would love to hear from you and follow your collaboration.

For our last post for “Collaboration for Peace”, Candy and I decided to share our answers to some questions about PEACE. Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments.

Photo: Candace Kubinec

What does peace look like to you?

Candy: Peace is a moment (or two) of calmness in a busy life. A time without fear or worry.

Mish: It’s not about rainbows and butterflies, peace signs and such. For me, peace looks like a world united, with non judgemental faces and open minds.

 

Photo: Mish

How do you experience inner peace?

Candy: Being outdoors is where I find peace to quiet my inner self, to prioritize. As an introvert, I need those moments to recharge.

Mish: When I feel turmoil in my life, I try to remind myself of my priorities, what truly matters in my life and eliminate the “small stuff” that gets in the way. I find inner peace when I am in nature, examining a wildflower in the woods or watching a hawk soaring above me. I think the simplicity of nature has many lessons for discovering inner peace.

Photo: Mish

What do you believe needs to happen for peace to happen?

Candy: We need to learn to respect others and appreciate our differences. And then follow up with actions that demonstrate that respect. A genuine smile goes a long way to promoting peace.

Mish: We have to break free from societal walls. We need to build bridges instead of walls. Respect and embrace our differences. Become part of the melting pot. Let go of our fears. Stop celebrating any country as the strongest or the best. No country is better than another. These arrogant personas do not support the goals of peace.

 

Photo: Candace Kubinec

What can we do as individuals to promote peace in the world?

Candy: Don’t give in to what is popular but do what you know is right. If you want to promote peace in the world it must start in your own neighborhood – a ripple of peace that will spread outward.

Mish: Reach out. Speak to others who look nothing like you. Learn first hand about their culture and beliefs. Give up the stereotypes. Become educated before you speak. Make connections. You will be enriched and enlightened.

 

Thank you to all of you who have “liked”, commented and supported our Collaboration for Peace project. We hope you continue our journey of peace.

We leave you now with our final collaboration, a poem written by Candy and a photo taken from one of my most peaceful places.

Photo: Mish

Peace Enough

 

I wish you peace enough

to last not just for tomorrow

but until we no longer

need to wish

 

I wish you peace enough

to share with those you love

and those you fear

so you may fear less

 

I wish you peace enough

to carry you through

turbulence and pain

so your heart may smile again

 

I wish you peace enough

to calm your inner self

then ripple out from you

to calm your world

 

© Candace Kubinec

 

You can follow Candy’s blog at rhymeswithbug.com

Thank you, Candace Kubinec for sharing this experience with me, for your amazing way with words, your lovely photography and especially for your friendship.

 

 

Collaboration for Peace – 51

Photo: Candace Kubinec

 

Sol

Shadows still play

On the path to peace

Veins of the vicious

Testing our strength

To reach for the light

 

Dodge the darkness

Stretch your arms

To the sun

Embrace the heart

Of humanity

 

Stay tuned next Sunday for our final post for Collaboration for Peace. This has been an amazing experience. We hope to pass on the torch of peace to you, that you will join in the power of creativity and kindness to inspire others.

 

 

 

 

 

Collaboration for Peace – 49

Photo: Candace Kubinec

 

Betterment

 

Let the past remind us

Not rewind us

Peace will bloom in

Soils of change

Winds of wisdom

Hearts enlightened

Let us not forget

That we are the rain

 

 

 

Collaboration for Peace – 48

Photo: Mish

 

Proliferation

 

Plant me some peace

Sow me some unity

Let it rise up out of the

Darkness of discord

Let it spread seeds of

Understanding and tolerance

Until the weediness of fighting

Is overrun with reconciliation

 

© Candace Kubinec

Collaboration for Peace – 47

Image credit: Candace Kubinec

 

Forward

 

Why are we backpedaling

While currents of clarity

Still flow at our feet?

How does one drop of impurity

Poison our possibilities?

When are we accountable

For the inevitable,

Witnesses to the destruction?

 

We are the ripples of hope

On waters, stagnant

The ancient sunlight shimmer

Dancing over shadows

We are the reflections

Of persistent hands of change

And this world did not evolve

Without us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collaboration for Peace – 45

Photo: mishunderstood.wordpress.com

 

Stones from a Glass House

It was just one pebble
Thrown in jest
No harm intended
And then one more
Hidden in soft words
Another disguised by
A smile
More and more were
Piled on top until
At last
Peace was smothered

© Candace Kubinec

Collaboration for Peace – 44

 

 

Reach Up, Reach Out

 

I reach up
Spread my arms
To embrace the sky
 
The sky that looks
Down on every person –
Like and unlike me
 
Every person receives
Equal share of the day
And the night
 
The sun and stars
The moon lights the
Corners of darkness
 
Regardless of color or shape
Weeping or joyful
We’re all the same
 
I reach out
To embrace the world
That the sky looks
Down upon in peace
 

 

© Candace Kubinec

 

We’re back! Candy and I bring you a few more weeks of uniting photography with poetry, all in the name of PEACE.