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Joanne Valerius, W A M M
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At WAMM, through the gardening for peace project, we are encouraging a culture of peace. Planting pink flowers for peace is a method to stimulate our senses. Each time we see the hues of pink flowers it is a cue for us to be at peace, think peacefully, and feel and sense peace within our bodies and spirit. Each time, every time, pink flowers equal peace. This is a gift we give ourselves as peacemakers.
Research confirms that repetitive statements and visual stimuli affect our mind, body, and spirit connection. They can contribute to the response of relaxation or fear, for instance. To experience this phenomenon, spend a few minutes on the following two exercises.
Find a comfortable space to relax. If possible, sit near a flower garden or bouquet. Take a few deep breaths. Be mindful of your breathing and feelings. Think about a garden, or if you are in the presence of flowers, look at them. Think about smelling the fragrances, maybe even seeing a butterfly or two playing among the plants. Think of the hand-picked wildflower a child gave you, or you gave to a loved one. If you have live flowers nearby, touch them gently, honoring the preciousness of them. Now, spend a few minutes reflecting about how you feel. Remember these feelings. Take several more breaths.
Now, consider the following visualization and its effect on your mind, body, and spirit. Picture small children, homeless, orphaned, maimed. Think of soldiers grieving from the loss of friends and lonely for families. Imagine prisoners of war, laying naked on top of each other for the world to see. Think about your own war stories of loved ones killed or maimed, mentally ill from personal torture. Spend a few minutes reflecting about how you feel.
To be at peace, we need to be able to visualize peace. We need to visualize pink flowers and acts of kindness. Plant pink flowers for peace. Send soldiers cards with bouquets of pink flowers wishing them safety and peace of mind. Help children make pink flowers to decorate refrigerators and office doors. Finally, every day, take a break from the hard work you do as an activist. Breathe, visualize, affirm life, reflect, and remember this summer’s pink flowers. Pink flowers equal peace. |
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© 2004 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete July/August 2004 Index - click here
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