Tuesday Post for Peace (or: It starts with me)

So I've decided that it's a complete waste of my time and energy to engage in any kind of hateful or non peaceful dialogue. I have yet to meet a person online whose worldview or mindset has been changed by this type of argument. Closed minds, and even many purporting to be open, seem to slam shut and set to the bulwarks of their defenses at the first hint of information that might cause their carefully erected arguments to be breached.
The war like terminology is used with intent.
If I eschew war, then I must needs eschew warlike behavior.
When I began blogging I thought it might be fun to engage here with differing viewpoints. In my naivetee, I didn't want to have (or to have it appear) that I sought only like minded persons and opinions. Although I'll continue to welcome thoughtful dialogue that may differ in content from my own worldview, I no longer seek it unless it is offered in the gentle language of love. I will continue to value and enjoy those bloggers and commenters who feed my spirit and come to me offering compassion, empathy and support.
As a very human (and sometimes cynical; although a self- styled "idealist" and "hopeful romantic") person, I will have moments of frustration and powerlessness that will drive me to the same sort of righteous surety in my positions as do we all. I will likely vent my spleen here, unless I find myself again caught up and overwhelmed. In which case I'll create another space in which to air my grievances and hopefully contain the poison therein from escaping and spilling over to poison this blog; this place of love and light and humor and human connection.

This said, today's Tuesday Post for Peace will Highlight AMMA:

Amma came to my attention some time ago via a friend, L.L.L. who had gone to see her and came away nothing short of amazed. Serendipitally, a long time friend and fellow artist, Tamara of Glass Majik, stopped by to comment on my last Thursday Thirteen "Peace in 13 Random Languages" post to let me know about Amma.

A few excerpts from her page:

On the morning of the 27th of September 1953, in a small poor fishing village, Parayakadavu in the Quilon district of Kerala, a baby girl was born. Her parents gave her the name Sudhamani. She came into this world not in tears as babies usually do, but with a beaming smile on her face, as if prophesying the joy and bliss she was to bring to the world.

She later said, " An unbroken stream of Love flows from me towards all beings in the cosmos. That is my inborn nature."

For the past 35 years Amma has dedicated her life to the uplifting of suffering humanity through the simplest of gestures – an embrace. In this intimate manner Amma had blessed and consoled more than 25 million people throughout the world.

And from amritapuri.org

To be in Her presence is to experience the best that life has to offer...
a river of unconditional love, accepting anyone and everyone,
and cleansing all their impurities.
Luminous rays of grace, radiating wisdom and joy...
like the earth bearing us on her bosom.
By her love, consoling us, nourishing us, instilling faith in us...
in whose presence, the innocence of a child awakens within...
the world becomes a wonder.
Such this and more is Mata Amritanandamayi Devi,
Amma, Mother of Immortal Bliss.

She will be in my area (So. Cal.) soon:

June 17 Sunday, 18 Monday
Los Angeles (Public Programs 10.00 & 19.30 hrs)
Hilton Los Angeles Airport
5711 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA - 90045

June 21 Thursday (19.00 hrs)
Los Angeles (Devi Bhava)
Hilton Los Angeles Airport
5711 West Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA - 90045

A hug from this woman would be amazing, eh??

Here is the Itinerary for Amma's visit to USA, Canada , Chile

I want to go. Maybe I can. We'll see. Give someone a hug today.

Peace Out!!