Shalom

transformation, providing, turning love into action,
forgiveness, seeing, asking, harmony, humility,
serve, lead, consensus, resistance,
rejoicing, listen, encourage, defend, honor,
unity, interdependence, cultural competency,
mercy for self and others, love...

a process, an approach, action, strength, prevention not reaction, creative...

investment, care,
quiet, discussion

presence.

I went to a Peace making symposium led by the Lutheran Peace Foundation this morning. It was well worth waking up for.
Peace may be my rock...sitting on this one a while...approaching this multidimensional concept from every angle I CAN.

At one point during the workshop, we were asked to stand by another individual in any way we felt comfortable and imagine the violence that person had experienced and would experience throughout their life.

For two minutes I stood facing Verlon. My eyes gazed into this six and a half foot tall, three hundred pound black man's crooked eyes. Mine filled with tears.
The next two minutes were as equally intense. I visualized his journey of self-development. I recognized his similar desires for personal growth and discovery and process of betterment.

We were living peace in the midst of chaos.