|
|
|
|
|
Joanne Valerius, W A M M
|
The life of an activist can be full of activity and pressure. There are marches to march, signs to be made, letters to be written, and meetings and rallies to attend. In the midst of the continual need to end military madness here and abroad, where does the activist find the time to refuel her energy and spirit?
As a student intern from the holistic therapy program of the College of St. Catherine, I am interested in the body, mind, and spirit connection. As a novice to Women Against Military Madness (just a year’s membership), I am becoming more aware of the grievous and intense nature of war and the activist’s role in insisting on peace.
To me, insisting on peace starts within me and affects my mind, body, and spirit. To achieve this, I need to be consciously aware of what promotes this connection within me, so that I can do the work of WAMM—to insist on peace.
Certainly, there are many ways to achieve this internal peace. Many of us have our own stress busters which help to clear our minds and bodies. Some of us reach for pen and paper, brush and paint, to allow for some connection to a space that is protected from the world’s conflict. Others meditate, take warm tub baths, exercise, or create peace gardens.
The struggle for peace, within ourselves or external from ourselves, asks us to find that intersection, that connection, where peace is just peace. Sometimes it comes in a fleeting moment, when we know we understand the meaning of our activist work. Sometimes it comes when we march or rally with other activists.
For some, though, the intensity of their work and the disappointment of continued violence keeps any semblance of peacefulness at bay.
During the next few months, this column will explore possibilities for finding peace within the mind, body, and spirit connection. Your ideas are welcome and can be addressed to jdvalerius@stkate.edu. What brings you to peace in this turbulent world? |
|
|
|
© 2004 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
|
 |
|
Complete May 2004 Index - click here
|
|
 |
|
|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
|
|
|
|
|
|
