season for nonviolence

I made this necklace yesterday while "watching" the super bowl. Although I am not much of a football fan...I am a fan of the " use any reason to get together with people that I like" kind of party-ing. I also really like food...especially game day snacky food. Because we all deserve that once in a while. Yum.

So...it was there that I made this necklace. I had picked out all the special beads that I wanted to incorporate in it the day before...and I am really happy with how it turned out for me. There are a lot of little tokens of love and inspiration and good reminders of my journey and what I want to focus on along the way. It is the perfect necklace for me right now. I wore it all day today...and I felt so great having it as a "part" of me.

I was holding a few intentions when I picked out the beads, when I created it in my mind, and when I was putting it all together. One of these intentions was for the finished project to represent a few of the personal committments I have made to myself for the 2008 Season for Non Violence.

" A Season for Non Violence, January 30th through April 4th, is a global 64-day educational, media and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communitites. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event honors their vision for an empowered nonviolent world."

(taken from my local Natural Awakenings magazine)

I wanted something that held inspiration, reflection, challenge and committment...and I love looking at it and wearing it with those things in mind. So...although I won't be wearing it all 64 days (hee hee)...I do have other challenges brewing in my heart and soul. One of them being to re-read my copy of NonViolent Communication...you know, because I can ALWAYS use a refresher. Other things I intend to do? Making some art that represents my own searching and learning of this vital topic... following through with some personal challenges I have constructed for myself (yikes)...leaving behind as many love notes (inspired by the soulful Jen Lemen) to my city as I possibly can...consuming the good! listening to beauties like India Arie and watching movies that promote peace, like this one...finding and going to several events that are in celebration of this specific season...and just doing my best to bring more peace and nonviolence into my own practice of living.

If you're looking for more information or want to find ways to get involved and celebrate in your own unique way...check out these fabulous links of peace!

"Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time -- the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.