I headed out into the forest this morning. Jack scampered ahead frolicking in the snow unknowingly carving a path for me. 
Still, I was knee deep as I forged ahead on my morning walk. I wanted to show you just how beautiful our forests are. I wanted to share the peace of my surroundings with all of you who happen to visit me as you weave your way through the web.
It’s easy to find peace in nature. The challenge is to keep our peace as we go about our daily lives.
Later this morning, I was sitting at my desk, making my usual rounds on Reddit, when I happened upon a link. I read the title and knew instantly I should not click through. “Soldiers beat Iraqi children.-VIDEO” I hesitated a moment longer; my mouse hovering over the link. Do I really need to see this? I really don’t want to. But how can we ignore what’s going on in our world?
If a child gets beaten in Iraq, does anyone hear him cry?
I clicked through, but only looked for a second. I was overwhelmed with grief and dismay by the images flashing before my eyes. Instantly, my heart broke and my peace was gone. Ever since I became a mother, I can’t help but feel as though I’m the mother of every child I see. I see my son’s eyes in theirs and I can’t stand to see any of them suffer.
There is so much beauty in the world and yet so many unnecessary horrors.
This is 2008 and I’m stunned at how primitive we still are. So many wars being waged. So many children being broken. It is hard for me to keep my inner peace because even though I am snug as a bug in my enchanted forest, I am aware of what exists beyond. I see both the good and the bad and I struggle with my role in all of it. We are all partly responsible for all that is good, and all that isn’t.
My mantra used to be “World peace starts with Inner Peace.” Although I still feel that peace must come from me first, it’s pretty obvious that unless I become a monk or a hermit, I will always be faced with events that break my peace.
I know that I could easily switch off all negative news but I’m at a point where I can’t ignore the darkness anymore than I could ignore the sun. Once we are aware, we can no longer switch it off and go about our lives “shopping” or eating or finding new and creative ways to numb ourselves into a blissful, oblivious existence.
So what now?
We’ve all read the news and reports of wars, bailouts and a cratering economy. Many of us are aware and awake but it seems as though we are all just standing around dazed and confused wondering what to do next.
The warning bells have been ringing for a long time. We must take action, each in our own way and work together to stay focused as we head into 2009. So, as I continue on my journey, my mantra must evolve a little.
World peace starts with inner peace. Inner peace comes from finding my purpose and taking action.
Next step: Defining my purpose.
