Since I've been away from home since Friday last, the week seemed shortened. Tomorrow is Tuesday already and it will be time to March for Peace again at 4:00 PM. Last week was really cold, this week, the forecasters are saying a high of only 12 degrees and some snow flurries are possible. That might end that run of bright sun shine we've had on Tuesday afternoons.
It seems there are a core group that will be there. We are all trying to get more folks to come. When others who are sympathetic to our cause see us around town or at the coffee shop, they always tell us why they didn't make it to the Tuesday Afternoon Peace March.
I never know what to say. I don't want to be in the position as teacher or Dad and that I must exonerate them and accept their excuse. Each individual needs to decide whether or not they are suppose to be there. They don't let me down by not coming. They let themselves down.
I might say, "We had a good turnout for as cold as it was, hope you can make it next time." This is pretty generic. What I am really thinking is this, "You know, if you lazy bastards get off your lazy asses, then we'd have a large enough group there every week and they can't ignore us and we'll get people to know that we're trying to get the war to end."
I won't ever say that and to be honest, I do wish more folks would come, but I'd never say that and I don't think this way. The reason is that I was one of those lazy bastards for many years. I did nothing. I made excuses. I went on living my own life and didn't think I could make a difference.
Well, I don't know if we're making a difference, but Cindy Sheehan is one person and she is making a difference. It might inspire one more somewhere to do some little thing this day that helps steer ourselves to peace.
The bottom line is that even if you don't make the march. If you practice peace in your daily affairs and live like a peaceful person in this crazy world, you are doing something. These actions spread peace probably better than a march down Main Street.
Keep up the good work. I'll see you tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a picture of Pat trying to stay warm last week.
May Peace prevail on the Sacred Earth Mother.
4 comments:
I'm sure a lot of people really do like the idea of doing activism, but it's very hard to break out of their routines and make sacrifices. Or they think they should be out there marching but sometimes they're afraid to take that public step.
Your reply is perfect, I think. If they show up, it will be because they need to do it for themselves.
I try to show up as much as possible, not for anybody else, but for myself. It's something I need to do, something I feel I can do. And you're right, all the other ways we live for peace are equally important. It's not only about putting on our peace chucks and strutting down main street with a sign.
"they always tell us why they didn't make it to the Tuesday Afternoon Peace March" and thats ok spado, that means they feel like they should have, if they would have, if only they could have....and that's a little seed...
Tomorrow's Tuesday, there are no peace marches here, but I'm with you man....I'll pass the peace in lazy traffic, in line at the corner store, in hellos and good-byes.... in waking and drifting off to sleep.
May the circle be unbroken
One person at a time......if we'd treat each other with respect and dignity, and be more focused within our communities, then it will spread outwards.
Unfortunately, people think DC is thinking about us here. As evidenced by Katrina, they only go where there's money to be made. ; (
Until there's accountability in DC, we need to focus locally!
"Each individual needs to decide whether or not they are suppose to be there."
Just my opinion, but this sounds like a perfect reply.
Peace,
Fiona
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