A Channel of Peace

Today I am grateful for the sunrise I started my day with on our front patio yesterday, and the sunset I ended it with on our back patio. I am grateful for the good hours between the two.

Yesterday I wrote about Pema Chodron and unlimited friendliness, about how avoiding pain and discomfort actually leads to more of both. Each of us can either contribute to the intolerance and hatred in the world, or we can help lessen it. I hope I am doing the latter.

This quote seemed timely:

"Each of us can become a blessed channel of peace for the healing of Earth's wounds: 

We can awaken from apathy and find creative, non-violent ways to transform the abuses 

rampant in today's world."

(Nan Merrill with Barbara Taylor, from Peace Planet: Light for Our World)

The book this quote comes from is about the healing and connecting power of prayer. It came out after 9/11. I believe in prayer as an individual. I believe in prayer for others. But there is a broader praying I could do more of, and I am guessing most of us could. Prayers for nations, peoples, the Earth itself. 

When I pray for others, whether I know them or not, I am more open and gentle in my approach. Gratitude and unlimited friendliness combined with prayer create even more patience, tolerance, and peace.

I pray today for our Earth and the care it needs for survival. I pray for all people who are facing grief today, no matter where they live or what caused their loss. I pray for each of us to appreciate this day.