Jizo

Posted on November 4, 2020June 19, 2022 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

I fell in love with a Jizo statue at a Japanese garden last fall. Only after I had left did I read the meaning of these statues. They are said to protect children. And, more specifically, many articles say the Jizo statues look after children who have died before their parents or babies who are miscarried or aborted.

After my encounter with the garden statue and reading articles like this one, I knew that the Jizo was something very important to my healing and remembering. Uncommon Goods had a darling Jizo that was much smaller than I realized, which was perfect. (The Jizo is only just over 8 inches tall.) We keep him (her?) inside and get to have a beautiful reminder of Jizo protecting all our children. At a time in my life when I’m working to limit possessions and be particular about what we bring into our home, this Jizo has proven its value. It brings me so much peace and happiness.

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Birth Without Violence

Posted on September 3, 2019July 17, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Birth Without Violence by Frederick Leboyer 1974, 2002

Originally written and translated in the 1970s, Birth Without Violence was a revolutionary book in its time advocating for gentler births. With a beautiful mix of poetry and photographs, Leboyer opens the reader’s eyes to Baby’s experience during birth. He speaks of the importance of dimmed lights, quiet voices, gentle handling, and soothing baths for this brand-new-to-the-world being. While the circumstances of birth are sometimes beyond our control, Leboyer makes a beautiful case for doing our best to ensure a proper welcome for Baby. “What more can be said? Only one more thing. Try.”

”Speak… the language of love…to a newborn!
Why, yes, of course!
How else do lovers communicate?
They don’t say anything, they simply touch.”
Part 3, 2

“If there is such a thing as a sanctified place, surely
it is the room the child is about to enter.”
Part 3,6

Bear by Himself

Posted on November 22, 2018September 13, 2019 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Bear by Himself (1976) by Geoffrey Hayes

I picked this book up randomly at a used book sale a few years ago, and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. I really don’t know much about this book-if it is well-known or not, etc.-but I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Bear by Himself follows a bear and the quiet activities he does alone during the day, whether it’s smelling the rain or just lying down and remembering misty dim mornings. This book embodies peace and tranquility. If I could live inside of a book, it just might be this one. It’s a perfect, simple picture book for children and a really great reminder for adults to stop, breathe, and enjoy life.

Speaking Peace

Posted on October 3, 2018September 13, 2019 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

These days especially, I, like so many, am hoping for a world of more peace and less hate. The more “information” I read, the more daunting this task feels. And, as cliche and idealistic as it sounds, the only way to more peace, really, is to begin with me–having more peaceful interactions with others during my day, more peaceful interactions with my family, and, most importantly, being more peaceful in my own heart and mind. So, why does something so seemingly simplistic feel so darn tough?

I was listening to the radio this evening while doing the dishes and a song came on that just wasn’t for me. And while I didn’t speak these words out loud, the first thing that came to my mind was, “I hate this song.” I stopped myself. Really? Hate? Someone expressing themselves artistically through music, and a fairly tame song at that, and I’m using the word “hate?” And then I thought about just how often that ugly word runs through my head during a typical day… “Ugh, I hate how this person is acting.” or when something feels tough or unpleasant, “I really hate this.” and on and on. Even typing and reading the word makes my chest feel tighter and my mood feel heavier. How often do I use the word “love” during the day? Ahh, love. How differently I feel just thinking that beautiful word.

So, my small goal in making peace in the world is to start by watching my language. Even the language in my head. Maybe it will take some time for me to create peace in my heart and mind or be the peaceful parent and partner I’d like to be, but maybe, just maybe, I can begin by simply dropping that one not-so-very-nice word from my vocabulary, whether spoken or in my head. Maybe I can focus on using the word “love” more and more in my day and let that be the beginning of more peace in my tiny corner of this great and wonderful world.

The Frenzied Activist

Posted on September 28, 2018June 19, 2024 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

“To want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence.

The frenzy of the activist neutralizes his or her work for peace.”

~Thomas Merton~

I know the world is full of all types of people. Thank goodness. We all have our passions and contributions to the planet, even if it seems that some are here on the planet simply to teach the rest of us about patience and understanding.

I’ve always taken it on as a mission to help the world, especially with environmental issues, but never so much as lately. Recently, I feel a heavier and heavier weight of the world resting on my shoulders. It’s an interesting time we live in when information can spread so quickly and easily. My heart should be lifted by the many petitions I receive for causes of all types and by all the information we have available to stay up to date with how things are going for our world. There are people who care, people who are doing their part to make a difference.

Instead of feeling better though, I’ve let all of this just sink me further into a state of depression. The world is feeling heavy, and my arms are shaking. There are so many people and places and animals that need assistance, and I want to help with ALL of it. As the quote above suggests though, my desire to help everyone and everything is leading to me becoming a more crazed person. Instead of embodying the peace I’d love to see and create more of, my frenzied feelings about everything are actually creating the opposite effect.

I’m working on changing this, on finding the balance between still caring and doing what I can do, without working myself into a state of panic. And the best I’ve come up with so far, is to concentrate more on having faith. Having faith in our planet and its people, having faith in my family and myself, and, yes, having faith in a higher power who will help guide us all in the best possible way. It’s hard for me to let go of my constant worry and concern for our planet and its people, but, ironically, it’s only by allowing myself to relax, that I can really be of any positive help.