Peace Day

Today is International Day of Peace.

Peace is a valuable trait to possess.

"Peace is not something you wish for, it is something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away."

Today I taught a lesson on peace today, to the kids at school at our weekly Yoga with Miss Kelly class. They are still young so they don't fully grasp the concept yet. I found a great book, The Peace Book by Todd Parr. This book was made to explain peace to children. I used this book to form my lesson.

I made a poster board on one side I wrote Peace Is in big letters and then drew pictures of a family, a group of friends, hearts, a sun beam (representing God), an ocean, and a house. I explained to the kids why these things represented peace. We are a faith based school so I made sure to incorporate how he is important in maintaining peace. God is an important part of our curriculum and an important part to their young lives. We are learning how it is to be different but come from the same God. Peace is loving everyone even those who are different from us. Peace is being kind. Peace is knowing God. On the other side of the poster I asked the question 'what does peace mean to you?' The kids came up with some really great answers. I then did a short routine with movement with the kiddos with a group activity at the end. I had them repeat mantras as they did poses. I believe it is beneficial to their young minds at a young age that they believe in themselves, they they grow up not doubting themselves, to feel like they can accomplish anything, to encourage them that anything is possible.

"Peace is being different, feeling good about yourself, and helping others. The world is a better place because of you." Love Todd

Children are our future what we teach them is important, how we teach them how to live is important to form a better future for the world we live in.

xo

Namaste

Peace

What I have come to realize about the word peace is that it is not an easy word to simply define. It can mean many different things to different people…

Merriam – Webster’s definition of peace is:

Noun:

1.      a state of tranquility or quiet: as a: freedom from civil disturbance b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom <a breach of the peace>

2.      freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

3.      harmony in personal relations

4.      a state at which there is no war or fighting

5.      as an interjection: to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell

To my kids at school peace was a new word for them. Trying to explain it to them without being too deep proved to be difficult and they all just stared back at me with confused looks on their faces. I used words such as happy, calm, and joy to further explain the meaning of peace to them. I still don't think they got it. This later then sent me on a journey through articles relating to peace: peace within ourselves and how we view peace in the world and in our relationships. I found a few articles on ElepantJournal.com pertaining to peace in a couple of different forms.

Meditation is the key to our inner peace. When more people experience inner peace we have happier more peaceful people. And in this day and age when we are experiencing the most hate, the most crimes, the most killings, etc we could all use a little more peace.

Finding inner peace, peace within ourselves begins with the right state of mind. If we are lazy and unwilling to put forth the effort we will struggle immensely with the will to practice. So first we must be in the right state of mind. We must have a clear and unbothered mind. A still mind. If you are worried about the day’s items you need to get done meditation will be a struggle for you.  Next we must have a comfortable place where you can enjoy your practice, a quiet corner in your home if you may. I have a meditation cushion that I use, it’s green paisley and perfect. I found mine on Etsy at a shop called Still Sitting. Having a mantra ready to use as you breathe will be beneficial to the overall practice. I often use you are strong, So Hum and sometimes you are beautiful. Lately I ask for peace sometimes it’s selfish, sometimes it’s worldwide. I am still in my beginner phase of meditation. It’s been a struggle but I am getting there. As I've learned inner peace comes from having confidence in yourself, believing in yourself, knowing that even when times are tough you can look inside yourself and know that you will get through this turmoil too.

We all cope in different ways some of us see the world with its endless opportunities, we find delight in activities we love and then there are those that view the world with its never ending utter turmoil and chaos and choose to be swallowed by it and have a negative outlook on life. We are all just humans with the same goals to make it through another day. To be able to see the sun come up in the morning, to be thankful that we didn’t stop breathing during the night, to go back to living our lives, whether it be full of glamour or sheer mediocrity we are all just trying to make it in this crazy world. We are all just trying to survive. Some of us are more successful than others but we all have the same goal to look towards.

So why can’t we help each other out, lend a hand, share a smile with a stranger, hug a friend who is in need of a good hug (we could all use one from time to time), spread a little more love. When in meditation send some good intentions out into the universe. Think of someone who could use some peace in their life. Peace is a valuable thing, something that we do not see often these days. We need more people in life who are willing to spread peace. As I mentioned earlier we need to start out with meditation as children. Calmer children = calmer world.

International Peace Day is coming up on September 21

This years theme, 2016: “The sustainable development goals = building blocks for peace.”

There are 17 sustainable goals.

           The countries are to begin efforts to achieve these goals over the next 15 years

                        End poverty, protect the planet, ensure prosperity for everyone

I read my kids in class a book on peace. In the book they told of different ways to say peace around the world. I have made a list of a few below. In the book is also how I found out about International Peace Day. I went onto their website here and did some research on the day. Some people pray, some people hold events, people come together in harmony.

Different ways to say peace

India = shanti (Shahn-tee)

Japan = neiwa (hey-wah)

Mexico = paz (pahs)

Iran = sohl (sohl)

Russia = mir (meer)

France = paix (pay)

Germany = Frieden (free-den)

Israel = shalom (shah-LOHM)

Wherever you are from remember on September 21 to go about your day with peace in your hearts. Leave the hate at home. And little by little, day by day we can bring forth peace in the world.

Namaste my friends.

xo

The Governor's Ball

Is a three day music festival in New York City on Randall's Island. Don't worry if you've never heard of it. I hadn't either until my boyfriend told me about it last year when he was there. It has been a dream of mine for awhile to see New York City. So when he invited me to join him this year I said yes. To be honest I was more interested in seeing New York and being in the city and the atmosphere that it would bring than I was in the actual festival. By the end of the festival and upon returning home my feelings will have changed.

This was my first trip to New York and my first music festival.
I couldn't have asked for better people to spend my trip with.
We arrived in New York Wednesday evening by train. We came into the city via Penn Station.
I ready myself to walk into the city for the first time.
But I could not have prepared myself enough for the feeling I got walking through those doors of Penn Station out onto the streets of New York.
I felt swept off my feet. My heart fluttered. I was speechless.
My love and his friend watched as I looked around mesmerized.
They both wanted to see my reaction.
This is what I saw...

Even though it was about 9:30 pm the city was alive with people and noise. I couldn't believe how loud it was, no wonder it's the city that never sleeps. There are literally people out all hours of the day. It's crazy.

The United States Post Office.
The sun was still setting when we arrived but it was hidden behind a sea of tall buildings.

Joy, just pure joy.
We had to go pick up keys for the apartment where we were staying so we walked...

passed Macy's...

passed the New York Public Library.

Where we stopped for a short break.

passed Grand Central Station...

passed Rockefeller Center.

We passed Harold Square and Broadway too. We stood and watched an event that was happening in Rockefeller Center. We eventually picked up the keys and walked about an hour to our home for the next four days.

Thursday.
Was our free day before the music festival.
We each picked a place to visit.
And explored more of the city.

We walked by the Guggenheim. Which I just found out this weekend was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Our first stop of the day was to Cooper Hewitt, which is an interactive Design Museum.

Inside the immersion room. I designed that design. It went really well with my dress, go figure... I wasn't even trying.

Out on the lawn of Cooper Hewitt. Sorry I didn't take too many pictures inside the museum I was having too much fun. *grin*  You get a pen with one end to draw and explore with and the other end to save designs and art work in the museum. Then you get released into the museum to have fun for the next hour and a half.

This was one of my choices since it was on the way to our other stops. This is one of my favorite buildings. The Flatiron Building. To my surprise not many people have heard of this popular building. It's triangle shape was designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham to fill/fit in the wedge-shaped space between Fifth Avenue and Broadway. It was built in 1902 and is still one of New York's most dramatic buildings. If your one of those people who have never heard of it now you know a little of its history. I suggest checking it out if you ever find yourself in the city.

The New York Gang. Seth, JW and myself.

Hello Empire State Building. You are really tall.

My other choice was the New York Public Library. I have a thing for books so of course I wanted to see this library.

We saw the outside of the building the night before but seeing it in the day light is much better. The entire building is made out of marble.

All marble.

We sat down for a break outside the library and realized it was lunch time for New Yorkers. There were people all over the steps and in this little park area eating lunch. We then decided it was time for us to grab some lunch before moving on to our next stop...

Which was in Times Square.

Discovery Star Wars Museum.

Next it was on to Central Park.

Hello Alice.

My love just hanging with Alice. No big deal.

Model Boat Reflection Pond.

Friday - Saturday
GovBall Days

This is the very first band I saw at GovBall. They sound similar to Lana Del Ray.

Loved them.

This is Beck. He also rocked it. He did a tribute song to Prince (Raspberry Beret) since Prince presented him an award. He was so happy he gave Prince a hug. And found out Prince was the coolest dude ever.

RIP Prince and David Bowie.

Balls were flying everywhere at the MisterWives set.

We saw many more bands but I kept my phone away for most of them because I was a minnow in a sea of taller fish.
Sunday got cancelled due to severe rain.
Instead we went to The Met.

Looking down Museum Mile from the Met steps. Of course I had to stop and sit on the steps of the Met like in Gossip Girl.

 Louis Comfort Tiffany. This is just some of his glass work. There is a museum in Winter Park, Florida that has many more of his works. Winter Park is where he and his family liked to spend their summers. But the Met had a few of them on display in their American art wing.

Monet

Van Gogh 

Seurat

I believe this is a Van Gogh but I could be wrong. Please correct me if I am.

Monet

Egyptian

 After the Met we went back to the apartment to figure out what we wanted to do for dinner.

JW and I ended up going to the most beautiful restaurant with umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, Tiffany glass lamps and decor to die for. Finestra is the name. Seth ended up staying at the apartment while JW and I had a wonderful meal together. It was nice to have time with just him on our busy trip, outside of being surrounded by teens and young 20 year olds. He picked out the place and it was like he reached deep into my soul and found a restaurant that spoke to my inner being. 

Monday.

Brooklyn. Juliana's, Picture stop, and Junior's.

Juliana's. The best pizza around. Go google the history of Juliana's Pizza and then go to Brooklyn and get your own pizza. It's totally worth it!! Ask any Brooklyner or New Yorker.

New York Skyline and Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn. If you look close enough off on the left side of the photo is the Statue of Liberty.

Best cheesecake around. And is now a new GovBall tradition. Yay for Junior's and their delicious red velvet cheesecake.

After Brooklyn we headed back into the city. And then it was time to head back home. A sad time for all parties on this trip. I can't deny I cried a little. Okay a lot. More on our return home and return to normal life...

xo

*Shine like Glitter*
I long for New York.
Ever since returning from the city whenever I am reminded of New York my heart aches for its beauty, its architecture, its wonderfully nice people.
All that said I couldn't have asked for a better person to share in my first time to the city.
He was knowledgeable of the city and made sure to point out all of the things that I would enjoy. He knows me better than any other person so of course I enjoyed every minute of my time with New York.
Upon my return home from New York I wrote her a letter.
Yes her. She is a living breathing organism with so much to offer.
This is my letter to her.
New York you are missed. I miss your energy and atmosphere. I miss your beautiful buildings and your wonderfully nice people. Until we meet again my friend.
With love.
Namaste.