Peace of Mind… (blog)

Today, I had the pleasure of an experience that filled me with Peace and with joy. As you know, one of the things I had planned to do while here in Washington, was to sell my motorcycle.

I posted the ad on craigslist on Saturday, and my plan was to offer it for sale for a week. If in that time it didn’t sell, I was going to have someone sell it for me and pay them a commission.

Last night, I made arrangements to meet someone who was interested in seeing the bike tonight at 7:00 pm. This morning, I had an email from someone who was interested in coming to see it. I notified the original person, offering him first opportunity to see/buy, providing he would make a firm commitment to our appointment tonight. He said he would come tonight,  but that I should feel free to show it in the meantime. So, I went ahead and had a couple more emails with the other interested party, and we met this afternoon.

Susan and her husband came to look at the bike, and I found out that they ride, but Susan has always been a passenger on her husband’s motorcycle. She was looking for a motorcycle that was small enough for her stature, powerful enough for a good ride, and comfortable to maneuver. Susan’s husband took a short test ride, said the bike had pep, and he and Susan made me and offer, which I accepted.

What is neat about the exchange we had this afternoon is that I could feel Susan’s enthusiasm and excitement about having a bike of her own. And, I sensed great support from her husband in this new endeavor. We talked a bit about a name for the bike, and Susan said “What about Alexis?”. I responded by giving her the key, which hangs on a keychain that says Alexis – Aleki (my name in Hawaiian).

What makes me feel joyful is the happiness in Susan’s eyes as she sat on the bike. As I watched her get on it, I felt in my heart that she was/is the perfect person to have the bike. And that, brings me as much Peace as any ride ever did.

Enjoy, Susan!

I had the pleasure of meeting up with my friend Paula to share a meal and some time catching up  with each other. Paula and I met a couple of years ago when I lived in Olympia, and immediately felt a kindred spirit. We each have a very dry sense of humor, and enjoy philosophizing with one another. What was nice about our visit was that we had both created plenty of time and space to be together, which enabled me to catch up on what’s been going on for her, and her to hear about the progress on the Walk for Peace. Paula has a way of being that is quite inspiring, and I am grateful to learn from her each time we meet.

After we each went our own way, Chandler and I decided to take a walk around Capitol Lake in Olympia.  The sun was shining, and the temperature was perfect for being outdoors without needing layers of clothing to keep us warm.  There were several people out jogging and walking today, which made for a very social experience for Chandler. And, for me. One conversation I had was with a man who was easily a foot and a half taller than me, and had his daughter on his shoulders. The little girl started pointing and giggling as soon as she saw Chandler, and her father and I couldn’t help but giggle too. I offered to pick Chandler up to let the little girl pet her, and she giggled even more when she felt Chandler’s fur on her hand. The man asked me if we were from here, and I explained that we are visiting, telling him as well about the Walk. He asked a few more questions, and he then said that the most Peaceful time he has is “when he’s got his little one on his shoulders and she’s tapping him on his head, asking him to go faster”. As we went in different directions, I could hear the little girl giggling, and my heart felt full.

Last night and tonight, Emily, Anders and I had the opportunity to visit with another friend, Carol. We talked about politics, religion, privelige, community, communication and a host of other (usually taboo) topics. And, in the middle of it all, we found plenty to laugh about. What I noticed as we talked is how much more I want to learn, about so many things. And, I am grateful for the experience of being in conversation with people who are willing to talk about the “hard stuff”.

I am blessed by different depth and breadth of interactions every day along the Walk for Peace. From giggles, to philosophizing to current events, there is a gift in every connection I have with another human being. All I have to do is to open myself to it.

On day 30 of the Walk for Peace, I met a man named Jerry. As I wrote in my blog back then, Jerry was a part of the Great Peace March for Nuclear Disarmament of 1986.

Fast forward to Thursday when my sister and brother in law picked me up in Portland. In the car on the way to Olympia, Emily said that she and Anders had met a couple who is new to their neighborhood, and that one of them had walked across the country with a group sometime in the 80s.

Tonight, Jake and Robert came over for a visit. As it turns out, Jake made her trek across the country as a member of the Great Peace March for Nuclear Disarmament of 1986.

The March began with about 1,200 people, and by the end of the 3,200+ mile trip, approximately 500 made it the entire way.

Now I don’t really know a lot about statistics, but I am pretty sure the odds of meeting two of the folks who completed the March over 30 years ago, in two different states just over a year apart, are astronomical.

I feel grateful for the opportunity to be one in a long line of Peace activists, and excited to have met both Jake and Jerry. Through this trio of Peace Walkers/Marchers, I am reminded of how far apart we may feel, but how connected we actually are.

After I made the decision to begin the Walk for Peace, I attempted to sell my motorcycle. However, because of a paperwork delay, I was not able to sell the bike. Fortunately, my sister and brother in law agreed to let me keep it at their house, with the understanding that I would need to move it or sell it before they moved again. In preparing to head North on this leg of the Walk for Peace, I made arrangements to visit Emily and Anders, and to attempt to sell the bike while I am here.

Yesterday and today have incorporated the tasks necessary to prepare the motorcycle for sale, including current registration, a new battery and photos for the ad. As I have worked on getting it ready, I have also spent time remembering some of the rides I’ve taken. I have truly enjoyed riding, and at the same time, I am ready to let the bike go.

For me, there is a Peace in having fulfilled the dream of learning to ride, having a bike and enjoying the unique perspective of being a motorcyclist.

I am grateful for the experience, and I no longer have a need for a motorcycle. I am at Peace with selling it. And, I hold that whomever ends up with it will enjoy it just as much as I have.

 

Since it’s inception in 1914, the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) has been contributing to the global movement of nonviolence. They hold the belief that “love in action has the power to transform unjust political, social and economic strictures”.

Until recently, I was not aware of IFOR. My sister, Emily shared about the organization when we were discussing ways I could be a part of the Peace community while I Walk for Peace in Olympia, WA.

Today, I had an opportunity to join with members of IFOR-Olympia in an hour and a half long Peace vigil. When I arrived, there was a man standing with about twenty five signs, inviting folks to take one from the stack to use today. The FIRST sign I pulled out read “Choose Peace”. I smiled to myself, raised the sign joined the others around me.

What is really neat about this particular event is that it has been occurring every Friday afternoon from 4:30 – 6:00 pm on the same corner, rain or shine, for more than 30 years! There are folks who bring their instruments and play music, some regular attendees who greet each other by name, some occasional participants and the “drop ins” like me.

As I continue the Walk for Peace, I will reach out to other chapters of IFOR in support and solidarity. And on Friday afternoons, I’ll think about the group of folks I was with today, and I will feel Peace.

In the past two days, Chandler and I have taken several trips on Portland’s extraordinarily accessible public transportation. As you can see in the picture above, her “ride” has been this little carrying case. After much time getting used to the green buggy, she’s not overly enthusiastic about being in the smaller, hand held carrier. Nonetheless, we couldn’t ride if she wasn’t in a carrier (thank you, Lucy), and we took several trips that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. And just for fun, here’s a shot of her waiting for the train to arrive.

Today, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a cousin whom I haven’t seen in twenty plus years. Sarah and her husband have been in Portland for years, and her grandmother was my godmother.

During our conversation, I shared about the Walk for Peace, and Sarah shared about her work at the Hoover Minthorn House in Newberg, Oregon. This is the house where Herbert Hoover lived from 1885 – 1891. Sarah explained that Hoover was very engaged in Peace activities, and was also a great humanitarian.

It was lovely to spend some time with Sarah, and to catch up on the happenings of various family members. There was a sense of Peace with Sarah that I felt when she first approached me, and it remained throughout our conversation.

After our time, Chandler and I Walked in the neighborhood, and I reflected on the time in Portland. While I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge some “crunchy” times, overall, I’m grateful for each moment I was there.

Late in the afternoon, my sister Emily and her husband, Anders came to Portland and picked me (and Chandler) up to head to their home in Washington. We had a traffic laden trip, but all arrived safely.

Tonight, the buggy is in the garage, and Chandler and I are settling in for our time in Olympia.

Today started out differently than I had planned, when my friend Lucy called to let me know she wouldn’t be meeting me because she had a family emergency. We were scheduled to serve hot lunches to community members (through her church outreach program). Since I had Chandler with me, however, it didn’t work out for me to go either.

I had an opportunity to take public transportation today, and I found myself speaking with several different people, feeling completely comfortable with each of them. At the same time,  I couldn’t help but wonder if there is still an underlying angst among regular riders after the stabbing earlier this month.

Some of the people I’ve been in conversation with this week have spoken to a feeling of general unease, and a sadness that such an act occurred here. Still others have spoken to less interaction with their neighbors based on political divisiveness and being unable to accept the choices their neighbors have made.And still others are looking for the place of alignment; often without success.

It seems as if the energy in Portland is a micro example of what’s occurring on a macro level in this country and in the world. I am certainly moved by the emotions and experiences of the people I meet.

Sometimes, the only way that I can offer Peace to others is through a moment as we pass each other on the street. In that moment, I try and make eye contact, to let them know that they are seen. Then, even if only for a split second, we have a chance to be Peace with one another.

At the end of the day yesterday, Chandler and I arrived at my friend Lucy’s house for the evening. After a little bit of figuring, we introduced Coco (Lucy’s English lab) to Chandler, and they immediately accepted each other. We were grateful for this turn of events, as it allowed us to focus on our conversations rather than being distracted by where or how the dogs were. Chandler was definitely the Peace dog, as she won Lucy’s heart pretty quickly. Alex (a friend of the family) also fell in love with Chandler, to the point where she took pictures to send to her boyfriend as an example of a dog she would love to have. I’m not sure whether it will happen, but I am pretty sure Chandler enjoyed all the attention.

Lucy and I have known one another for about a year and a half, and the opportunity to spend time with her in her home was really lovely.

After leaving Lucy’s house, Chandler and I made our way down into a lovely part of Portland, where we were greeted by my friend, Lynn. Lynn and I grew up in Redlands, and our family knew her family. Lynn contacted me through my Facebook page and we made a plan to meet today. What is really neat about the visit with Lynn is that I haven’t seen her in more than thirty five years, and yet, because of the Walk for Peace, she got in touch and came to Portland to meet me. It was a lovely afternoon, and I found myself full of gratitude for Lynn’s visit.

I feel touched by the huge amount of support given and effort made by all of the people I’ve been with this week – Donna, Linda, Carly & Dave, Honey, Lucy and Lynn. Old friends, new friends – all blessings in my life. Thank you.

Yesterday, after Chandler and I said our goodbyes to Honey, we started out on what was to be our longest day of Walking since we got back on the road. As we settled into the rhythm of the morning, we passed a food trailer with this silly caricature on the back, and since it made me giggle to myself, I thought I’d share it with you.

A few minutes later, I walked by this lovely community garden and orchard, overflowing with the early summer’s bounty. It made me feel good to think of a community of people growing vegetables and fruit and sharing the work and the the benefits of it with one another. A little later still, I came to a school with several young people standing outside talking and laughing, and I found myself feeling both pleased and sorry for the sign in front for the school.  Pleased by the stand against hate, and sorry that hate permeates so much of our culture today.

Near the end of our day, I stopped to take a picture of this tent, and I was approached by a man who asked why I was taking the photograph. I explained that I was amazed by the number of people who seem to be living in Portland (not to mention other cities) in tents tucked up into the hillsides. I also explained what I’m doing, and asked if he would be willing to talk with me. Over the next forty five minutes, I had an incredible conversation with Jason and Samantha and their two children. They, like many others, lost the home they were renting when Jason lost his job due to downsizing in his company. They have been living in this tent for about six months now, and every day, Jason looks for work. As we talked, I was aware of the relaxed nature of all four of them, and I spoke to it. Samantha said that over the time they’ve been in the tent, they have learned so much about themselves, and that they are grateful to have each other. They don’t believe they will be tent living forever, and they feel hopeful that Jason will be able to get a job soon. The children were giggling and playful, and they kept asking me questions about Chandler, as she patiently received the pets they showered upon her. I thanked Jason and Samantha for their willingness to speak with me, and because they aren’t legally able to  be living where they are, they asked that we not take a picture together. As I walked away, I was aware of a flood of emotion. And, I was grateful for these four lovely people who gave me a glimpse into their lives and into the way they find Peace in such a difficult situation.

With these two and their children, I was definitely a student in their Walk for Peace.

Emily and her breakfast companion Ryan and I had a brief but lovely interaction this morning as I made my way through another of Portland’s unique neighborhoods. I couldn’t resist photographing Emily’s hat to post tonight.

A little later on, I walked past this trash can with the holes on the top. Inside the holes were empty drink cans. What I love about the trash can is that the holes are for people to put their recyclables in; a relatively simple opportunity to help reduce the amount of garbage going into the landfills.

About a block later, I saw this structure that had been built as a place for folks to leave small things they no longer have a use for, and for people to come and take items they might need; a rather simple way to help members of the community.

For me, each of these things represents a conscious action to help either the planet or our fellow human beings, which makes my heart feel Peaceful.

In many neighborhoods, there are signs supporting the rights of all people. They range from single, strong statements such as “Black Lives  Matter”, to powerful statements in multiple languages like this one.

 

For this Peace Walker, today’s trek had many opportunities to think about the ways in which we can be of service to one another and to our planet, which filled me with gratitude.

I must say, it felt good to be Walking today, until the temperature rose to triple digits. At that point, Chandler and I were happy to have a place to stop for the night.