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 – 39

 

Doldrums and Dragonflies

 

Even in flight

I am not alone

Cradled

By the zephyrs

Warm embrace

This too is my calm

My inner field of felicity

Double-winged, I will sing

To the flutter of my heart

In shades of iridescence

 

 

 

I feel blessed to have met Candy, my friend in collaboration as we continue to be inspired by each others work. You can find more of her photography and poetry at rhymeswithbug.com

Collaboration for Peace – 31

Photo: Mish

 

Self Reflection

 

gazing into the still lake

I see a stranger’s face

staring back –

distorted with worry

brows knotted

mouth a tight slash

and then

I trail my fingers through

the cool water

inhale deeply

and watch as ripples

sweep away my cares

allowing peace to

settle over me

 

© Candace Kubinec

Collaboration for Peace – 25

Candy and I hope you hold on to your inner peace this week.

 

 

Lost Peace

 

Some where buried

under the chaos

of everyday

peace has gotten lost

but I will find it with

my eyes closed

I will hunt by

feeling with the

fingers of my heart

searching among the

stones that were

thrown until I touch

the smooth, comforting

warmth that is my peace

© Candace Kubinec

The Irony

I would not have soared
If it were not for you
Finding fault in my feathers
As I flew

Your doubts became my updrafts
Scrutiny sculpted wings
Lifting my heavy heart
To higher ground

I made steps
From your stone grey eyes
And they have served me well
For taking off
Propelling me gently
Into turquoise skies

~

Inspired by Gabriella’s poetic prompt for dVerse as we reflect on vocations.

Taming the Tempest

Her storm gathered strength

Brewing between head and heart

Her mind, a flywheel of thoughts

Spinning relentlessly

Energy wasted on the rain

And the flash floods of her life

~

She could feel her sun beating

Teasing her reckless thunder

Warming the zephyrs of her past

Taming the tempest

She surrendered to the blue sky

And gathered her fallen branches

~

At Dverse Poet’s Pub, Claudia challenged us to use bold images and metaphors to create a strong visual impression in our work.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Room

Bring your worries here

Misery dies in deep canyons

Dissipating like dust

Into panoramic perspective

You are but a speck

Compared to this masterpiece

That stretches your mind

To the clouds

Your arms to the sky

Your heart to forever

Until all you feel is the wind

There is room here

~

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/room/

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Window

“Solace is neither here nor there. You can find it in a quiet corner or a walk through the forest. No window or door can separate you from the beating of your own heart. You only need to listen.”

~mishunderstood~

 

 

50 Things I’ve Learned in 50 Years….#17

#17. “If you think about where a person is coming from, what they’ve been through in their life, how they’ve been raised, you will find it easier to forgive, understand and accept that they don’t and may never look at things the same way that you do.”

 

This one is golden.

Do you want to be empowered? Free yourself from the frustration? Save some time and energy?

Ok, now I sound like an advertisement.

The truth is…

When this little light bulb of enlightenment switched on in my brain, it changed my life.

Click.

Not everyone was blessed with a loving beginning. They are what they came from. They may not be able to see or feel more than that. Not everyone has sailed a calm sea without drowning in pain or suffering…and some are still drowning. Some have a point to make, an axe to grind or a need to be heard. Some people can only feel better by making others feel worse.

Some people will not change. Some people don’t need to change…not for you.

Sometimes you have to rearrange your thoughts, open your mind and accept.

Let them be who they are.  Let it be what it is.

A huge burden can be lifted when you do.