Revise conforming thoughts

Live beyond irrational thoughts
try to develop inner self-- challenge the mind.

Humans attach significance to the body, limiting space to the material world.
Reality shows-humans behave more civilly to one another when not on screen.

Behind the scenes, communities are born thriving in exercises in compassion

Become a free thinker in the world of mind control,
it is possible to turn off the noise, travel an amazing path,
pick up cosmic soulmates to share this walk, learn to sit beside a river
watch its eternal flow—

Words as description,
this moment cannot be captured until eyes
open wide in knowledge of the present.

Experience the here and now
feel the chill of winter Mother provides,
listen as river rolls over branches,
watch flowers nurtured by spring rains along her banks blossom
enjoy the warmth of summer days by cooling in her waters,
notice the green on trees, knowing autumn will usher in change,

Awaken in peace.

advice

be in peace with all
find none to call enemy
seek strength in silence

so important

let go of anger. there are many incredible
things to see. days race by turning into years
so quickly. feel the sun warm your skin on
a cool autumn morning. look at the joy in a
child's eyes when greeted with a smile. we are
mirrors to our children, let them know we
are happy. the moments when they're young are
so important.

John the Prophet

"War is over." I tell my son.
Then I tell him of the man on my tee shirt he calls "Jun."

His journey began in a port town,
where ships brought dreams and rock and roll across the ocean.
He made some friends who helped him change the world
with the music they made.

His fame gave him access to generations
of revolutionaries. This is a time of change.
Forty years ago, John Lennon spoke out against the war in Vietnam.
His voice and dream entered the imaginations of those who listen.

A peaceful revolution awakens this day,
Harvesting the seeds of yesterday as people from around the world gather.
So many of us want Peace, John delivered the message,
we need only "Imagine" its possibility.

He told the world Peace is ours if we want it.
The time has arrived to carry on this message.
Today, President Obama was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.

As we celebrate the birthday of a peaceful soul,
may John's dream of a world where "War is Over" be the one
President Obama achieves with this award of Peace. The world wants it.

Global warming

Why am I like this?
Where did I originate?
How do I get back?

Dreamer awakens.
Transcending through instructions
for helping the world.

We are connected
to all beings on this earth
living together.

Sharing one mother
recognizing her beauty
life's variety.

Those with wings to soar
fascinate us with true flight
beauty, gracefulness

While those that slither
captivate our deepest thoughts
our closeness to earth

Most of our planet
inhabited by creatures
in rivers and seas

Graciously sharing
their cooling waters to keep
temperatures mild

remembering

I went to a church yesterday that made me think back to childhood memories at our cottage. At this church we sat outside with other families with children. The day was beautiful and Fyn slept on my chest as we listened to the sound system set up outside. A man's voice came on that reminded me of the voices of the cottage.

My grandma's brothers all shared the voice of the speaker who talked of his mission trips to far off lands. His voice so similar to my Uncle Don, my great uncle that passed so suddenly three weeks ago, and his message so familiar. His voice echoing childhood voices I grew up with at cottage functions, but had fallen out of touch with for so many years.

I met Don all over again last fall as he was taking on the challenge of my father. He said he understood the battle with alcoholism my dad has succumbed to and he was willing to look out for this man that was once a baby in his arms. This challenge is understood by many people that have witnessed the damage this disease brings to family and loved ones. I respect my uncle's desire to help this man that refuses help.

Reaching back into those memories took me to a cottage on a lake where so many happy memories were created. My Uncle Gordy returned to my thoughts as I remembered his stories of my Uncle Don. Gordy was my childhood companion, one of the magical people that never seem to grow beyond childhood mentally. We spent summer nights sitting beneath magnificent skies listening to baseball games on the radio. Between innings he talked of his brothers and sisters, their kids, and grandkids. I remember the love in his voice as he talked of his incredible family.

Connections

Origin stretching backwards
living and existing in a natural world.

Like a plant, our roots dig deep into the earth,
nurturing us with minerals and water.

We are organic beings using nature
to live, to grow, to survive.

In environments diverse around the world,
insects, plants, and animals adapt to global changes.

As this beautiful planet
three quarters covered with life giving water
cycles her way through seasons,
Discover connections linking us to all living things.

Please help our Mother,
she's the most beautiful in the Universe.

Our choices impact all beings. Love completely,
filling all with energy and power.

Live in tune with nature. Silence the noise,
create beautiful pieces of art.

Love yourself

A door released from its hinges
floats along the river.

From where I am, I see the nails
Hung to hold reminders
of things to do today

The reminders already
cast aside by river's current,
yet their hooks
remain and rust.

On the river of life's Water,
cleansing the door.
We may all awaken when
we open the door to river's current,
Where we will see the world on the other side,

A simple twist of the river's flow will flip
the door so the hooks and nails we've
Driven beneath the surface
scrape along the bottom.

In time the nails will
simply break off freeing
the raft of reminders.

Time to live today
Love yourself.

Magic is spring

What if there was
a place in your imagination

Where mice were really dwarves
building underground housing units

When insects flew, fairies
took flight to dust

Where flowers bring
color to a once white blanket
Held in Mother Tortoise's
arms as she rocks her child to sleep

Soon my little child
your time will come to awaken

This world needs love
Rising from its soil
watch the little folk

With eyes open
not as pests

They have much to teach
you have much to learn

Fyn you are the child
of Mother Tortoise's son

Peace awakens from dreams
fresh on a spring morning

Breathing happiness
on winds round the world

What if there was
a place in your imagination.

Magic

Water as far as I can see,
joining sky on the horizon--
Rising on wings of hope.

A bird in flight feeling free,
exploring without destination
searching while traveling up.

Among clouds looking
beyond tomorrow into future--
seeing magic abound.

Peace for those seeking
to live in the world of nature
Follow the path around

Distractions along the way
Tune out corporate static--
Peacemakers come

Ready to dance and play
A wind of change does speak
Listen for the sound of a drums.

Rhythm of Life

Life has a rhythm--
drums sounding through forests
calling all to community.

Our nature--to live in peace,
gather within the circle we share,
our being, a gift from the creator.

Mother gives us life,
we grow in her womb
listening to her heartbeat.

Everyday rhythms guide us
as we walk along this path
beside the River of Life.

window

a window to watch the world,

photographs provide an opportunity to focus,
capturing moments in light

have you heard? there is magic outside,
memories in the making
for those who want to see

step outside doors, free yourself
seek incredible experiences
interacting with love
as we make a difference

peace to all

looking into the world with awe and amazement
seeking each experience with curiosity
eyes wide for discovery
living content

knowing love exists to share
with all beings along this path
a smile leads another to laugh
connecting us to everywhere

awakening into a new age
children in far off lands
where winds move the sands
we understand and wage

peace to all

looking up

going through these days
with blinders, watching feet fall
a new world awaits,

morning brings clear skies
perfect for walking outside
better for thinking

tuning out all noise
following birds as they dance
happily through trees

magic surrounds us
beside the river we are
listening to life

looking up we see
blue skies through eternity
peace to us all

dear reader

dear reader,
welcome to a journey of peace awakening,
in the following pages, words and pictures are used
to describe some of this season's passage around the sun.

as the snow begins to melt, i feel a change in winds
i want to begin to write a story backwards
from finish to beginning in honor of this format
during the next couple moon cycles.

i will also be writing a story for my classroom,
one i share with them each week.

many of the ideas i have written in peace awakening
are calling for me to return in an editing process
as well as for future stories.

peace to all
thank you, tommy

for those who have enjoyed my words and pictures
thank you for your comments and support
more is on the way

Magical Beings

Walking along this path each day with Fyn, I am reminded often of magical beings surrounding us. Each season is full of its own magicians. The fairies rising in spring brightens the world with their planting of flowers. The dwarfs celebration of summer nurtures Mother Earth creating bounty. The gnomes emergence in autumn to put things in order are quickly covered by the falling leaves. The winter elves are often the most difficult to see for they blend so well with the snow, but magnificent when encountered.

We have celebrated each season now with Fyn. Following his eyes enables me to see things in a new perspective. There is awe and wonder everywhere, it is up to me to be aware.

Our path home

Every now and then, step off the beaten path.
Destination may not be clear, and may feel
like walking among the clouds. Each step
leads to an aftermath
of decisions, in search of perfect reality.
Find and become adept
living in the world of all beings.

Examine the journey, find peace
discover the path to follow
listen and create another.
Love given freely leads to Ahimsa,
Open the clouds and enter another realm,
find people living as they did long ago
let go of your self and be.

Gnomes stopped by

The other day, there were several guests by the path as we arrived home. Seems there were some loud machines with masked riders zipping along the forest floor. One of our guests, DaVito, calls them "snosquitos" because of the annoying buzzing noise and carbon monoxide stink they make in the woods.

I relayed our experience the previous day with the snosquitos, and how they arrived as Fyn fell asleep in the labyrinth. The gnomes were happy we managed to shoo them off, but they were mad the whine of the snosquito's engines awakened Fyn from his peaceful dreams. These little fellows were so upset they wanted to go create some serious mischief. I convinced them that we were over it and invited them inside to warm up a bit. These friendly little folk told of their ordeals and the misery of dealing with those machines.

The moment they entered the house they stopped moving as the cats came around the corner. Victoria made a green bed for the little ones to nap in and set it out of reach of Max and Lucky. She tried to take their picture, but the camera's flash changed their complexion.

They were still here the morning of Fyn's birthday party so I invited them to stay. The gnomes had a great time meeting Clint, Taj, Britton, Nadia, and Sonja. As Fyn's friends were leaving our forest guests asked if they might accompany their new friends to their homes across the land.

We thought it was a fabulous idea because they would be able to escape those hideous snosquitos. It will be fun to see them in the spring when they return to help plant the flowers.

icicles

Inside the warmth of a fire
creating heat, generating energy while
iridescence descends outside
captivating our attention,
learn to be magical,
exist in nature feeling
sunshine throughout

Days like this

Fyn sleeps on my chest,
Sunshine washes over us

It feels good to be outside,
a slight chill of winter and re-energized warmth of the sun

Four deer approach, making their way into the river,
they stand watching us

Our peaceful connection
linking different beings in silence,

Awareness of all around us,
their time arrives to continue on

Our paths diverge
to meet again at river's bend

Sun shines upon us,
I love days like this.