PEACE is Accepting Yourself, and Equality

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Thursday, April 21, 2016

PEACE is Accepting Yourself, and Equality

Today I come to the end of the personal definitions from St. Viator’s High School in Arlington Heights. I am sad that I have reached the last of those personal points of view. It was so good, so refreshing to talk with so many young people and find out what they truly thought about PEACE.

That was the most interesting part. I would ask them, engage their minds. And, I could see so many young people thinking hard. Dipping down into the well of ideas, and bringing one (in some cases, two) up and out. Sharing the definitions on pieces of paper, and verbally. Some even going on at some length, with considerable eloquence. So exciting!

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank Father Corey Brost, the President of St. Viator’s High School, for his kind invitation to come and talk with the young people during their lunch periods. I truly appreciated it. I hope the young people were helped by my being there, too.

Now, to the last two definitions. First, Mike’s personal definition: “PEACE is equality.”

I asked him to explain. He said, “You can’t get peace until everyone feels part of things. If people don’t feel part of things, there can be conflict. Conflict all over.”

Mike, you spoke such truth. Alienation is such a part of conflict. Separation is a huge part of conflict, too. If people are constantly isolated and divided into separate little cubicles (real or virtual), conflict and even war are looming on the stormy horizon. (Scary thought.)

Last, Christine’s personal definition: “PEACE is something that comes with accepting yourself and others.”

Intrigued, I asked her to explain further. She said, “Not being afraid to express yourself helps me to be peaceful inside. Since I have inner peace, I can spread it to others.”

Peace. Spreading peace to others. What a wonderful idea, Christine. May we all strive to do so.

Dear Lord, help each of us to strive to spread peace to someone else. Thank You for this opportunity to talk with so many others, and to search out ideas, personal definitions of PEACE. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

PEACE: Presence in Heart and Mind

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, April16, 2016

PEACE: Presence in Heart and Mind

Today, I have the final definition of PEACE from the Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove. I appreciated the opportunity to visit the MCC some days ago.

The president of the Sunday school reminded the gathered crowd that I was there to ask the simple question “What is PEACE, to you?”

Dilnaz’s personal definition: “PEACE is when there is a presence in the heart and mind.”

I asked her for further explanation. She said, “You realize peace when you give yourself to a Higher Being. And, you don’t have to have total control.”

Dilnaz is so right. We all can realize peace in our own lives by opening ourselves to God (or, the Higher Power, if some choose to identify the Holy or Divine One, in such a way.)

I would like to express my thankfulness at the kind invitation I received from Dilnaz, so that I could have the chance to gather interesting, diverse personal definitions of PEACE. (Thanks, Dilnaz!)

Gracious, merciful God, thank You for the opportunity to go to the Muslim Community Center and get to know them a little better. Help me—help all of us strive to continue the conversation of PEACE. In Your holy name we pray, amen.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

(Thanks to everyone at the Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove, for making this week of personal definitions of PEACE possible.)

Soul and Experience(s)

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Soul and Experience(s)

I’ve worked as a chaplain here in Chicago for a number of years. Yes, I have striven to walk alongside many people in my time being a chaplain, sometimes more successful, sometimes less. These patients, their loved ones, and others have come from many faith traditions and various backgrounds.

I suppose that’s one large reason I have interest in a number of different ways of approaching God, the Higher Power, or the Source. Or, Great Spirit, or the Holy. Different ways of naming the ineffable, that transcendent experience.

It is a similar interest I bring to the chapter from Handbook for the Soul today. Brian Weiss brought up a number of interesting ideas, things that I am not particularly familiar with. Like regression back to previous lives. This is something unfamiliar. However, the feelings and emotions Dr. Weiss brought out were very much familiar. And, right in my area of expertise.

One statement Dr. Weiss says is one I can totally agree with: “We are souls having a human experience.” It doesn’t matter whether the experiences are good or bad, positive or negative. Each of us is a flesh and blood human with a soul. Each of us goes through all kinds of stuff, regardless of our faith traditions or belief structure.

Yes, Dr. Weiss brings up an interesting idea. I have my reservations, true. Yet, I believe some people are helped by what the doctor says and the actions he takes.

I hope and pray some people are similarly helped by what I say, and by the actions I take, too. Please, God, may it be so.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .