The twelfth day...

Trees. I love trees. They provide protection from the elements, shelter in the form of a house, can be made into paper and the list goes on. Trees, what an extremely valuable resource.

My favorite yoga posture is tree pose or vriksasana. It seems so simple yet it can be challenging. Grounding down with one leg, the other leg bent with your foot placed against the standing leg. Arms reaching high, gently swaying to and fro. This pose combines strength, balance, beauty and fluidity into one. By far, my favorite.

I grew up in the mountains and have lived most of my life in the mountains except for the past 8 years. Heading deep into the forest on a walk is my refuge. Looking down at the textured ground covered with pine needles or to glance upward to see the majestic limbs reaching high into the sky. The soothing sound as the wind moves gently from branch to branch with a soft, shhhhhhh. A creak and a crack can be heard as the old hearty trunks adjust to the shifts in their surroundings as if to say "I'm old and strong but still adaptable." 

One of the world's largest organisms is an Aspen grove with a massively interconnected root system all stemming from one tree. Trees seem to be another wonderful symbol of peace, strong yet supple, not out to harm and a source of great beauty.

I'm drawn to the idea that our knitting community focused on peace these past 12 days is akin to the Aspen grove. Through our stitches focused on peace we are all connected. We stand strong yet flexible and fluid to the changes in our surroundings. Each of us with our own story but collectively united in peace. 

I'm reminded of a quote I've seen a few times. When I went searching for it I learned that it's a poem. I've provided you with a shortened version but the poem by Ilan Shamir can be found here.

Advice from a Tree

Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!

Peace tip #12

Take 10 minutes today for just you. Pull up a chair, feet firmly planted on the ground, eyes closed, and think of a tree, any tree, now let your mind go on a little journey. Where is this tree? What lessons are there to be learned from your tree?  After you've finished mind-wandering, jot down a few words to describe your thoughts. Why not try doodling some trees? 

Ponderosa State Park, McCall, ID

Old majestic ponderosa pine with lichen wrinkles

As legend has it, the leader of Clan Cameron was planting trees when he was called off to the Jacobite Uprising. He stuck all the shoots in the ground at the same time resulting in a collection of individual trees growing as one. 

Cameron Estates near the Great Glen Way, Scotland

Today, may you feel grounded and strong yet able to sway with whatever breeze blows your way...

Day 11

This past summer I had the privilege of attending a walking and knitting retreat on Shetland, an island approximately 100 miles north of mainland Scotland. Traveling to Shetland had been a dream but to this day I'm not sure why I felt compelled to visit, all I can say is "I felt called." I had seen photos on Instagram of this magical land but never expected to fall in love with all things Shetland...the people, the landscapes, the sheep, the way of life. The retreat, created by Gudrun Johnston and Mary Jane Mucklestone was filled with walks, knitting classes and time to knit but it was so much more. It was a glimpse into the importance of knitting to the lives of the those living on Shetland. Knitting is more than a hobby, it's their livelihood, their family history, their heritage and their pride shines through every step (and stitch) of the way.

While on Shetland I asked Gudrun if she'd be willing to provide a peaceful tip. She really must have thought I was a bit crazy when I asked..."see, I'm trying to spread peace to knitters around the world in an attempt to create world peace." She graciously said "yes" for which I was and continue to be grateful. So, today's peace tip comes from Shetland and perhaps you'll begin to understand a bit about the attraction to Shetland.

Peace Tip #11 by Gudrun Johnston, The Shetland Trader

When considering what peace means to me personally I immediately think of my place of birth, Shetland. Although I didn’t spend the majority of my childhood there I have reconnected with Shetland over the last 12 years or so, after my parents retired back there. Since then I have been fortunate enough to spend long periods of time in the calming beauty of this landscape.

It is often a lengthy journey for me to get home seeing as I now live in the US.  Planes, trains and boats can be involved (and unfortunately sometimes delays). But despite arriving travel weary it only takes a few moments for me to soak in my surroundings and immediately feel a deep sense of peace. There is something about the open landscape, with views as far as the eye can see, that provides the overworked brain an opportunity to breathe a big sigh of release.

I would like to share some images of Shetland with you and hope that they inspire you to get outside today and take a moment to connect with your surroundings. If you have the time then take a walk, if not then perhaps just step out into your yard/doorway/balcony and find a spot where you can just take a few deep breaths in an effort to unclutter your own head, even if only for a few seconds.

Peace be with you today. Enjoy your Sunday (or Snowday for some of us). 

Ten...

Do you ever go through the day and wonder "where did the time go?" Does your mind wander and it's not really a daydream? Have you ever knit a row and then realized you have no idea where you are in the pattern? Or been listening to someone talk and not been able to keep your attention on their words? 

My examples could go on and on. I recently had an experience that made me aware of how un-present I can be. I was eating lunch with my daughter and I'd broken an egg roll in half. I ate my half. A few minutes later, wanting to eat the other half I noticed it was gone. I proceeded to ask her if she'd enjoyed her egg roll. "Mom, I didn't eat it, you did." Back and forth we went for a few minutes until I was convinced I'd eaten the other half and not even remembered doing so. 

Living in the moment, being present...not I. Chalk it up to overwhelm, fatigue or just not paying attention. How many times do we go about our day and tune out either intentionally or unintentionally? While reading, walking, driving, talking to others, eating, even knitting. How can we be more present with our actions? There's just something about not being present that seems, well, un-peaceful.

Peace tip #10

Being present in our actions, all our actions is challenging; an admirable goal but not the best place to begin. Several people have made some wonderful comments through the course of the peace-along that could be helpful. Today, set aside some time to be present. Maybe it's while you knit, take a walk, listen to music or eat your supper.

Here are a few suggestions to help you remain present on your chosen task:

• Repeat "With every stitch, I am more peaceful"
• Set an alarm twice a day to stop and think about peace (from Natalie, a reader)
• As you walk, repeat "I am peace"
• Create your own "mantra" for your chosen activity. 

If you wish, share your mantra in a comment below; perhaps it will resonate with someone else.

A word about the pattern, Project Peace. The stitch pattern includes two rounds that require you to pay a little more attention and then by design there are two rounds of simple knitting. Allow the stitch pattern to bring you into focus and then allow your mind to wander away. If you are working on a different project allow yourself to find this rhythm.  

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that’s why they call it the present.
”

— Eleanor Roosevelt

Glen Etive and Buachaille Etive Beag in the Highlands of Scotland, peace abounds...

Oh my, day 9...

You know how there are certain smells or sounds that immediately transport you to an earlier time in your life? Or eating a particular food that brings back fond memories? So many examples are running through my mind that I can't seem to capture anyone of them long enough to write them down. Yet the one example that lingers is the one that inspired today's peace tip.

As long as I can remember I've been listening to the music of George Winston. I must have been in high school when his music became popular. His ability to musically describe nature resonated with me. I would hear his songs with titles like forest, snow, December, rain song or walking in the air and immediately feel transported into the world he was depicting. If the most talented of poets were to describe a snowfall, or the rushing of waves against a sandy beach, George Winston translates that into music.

His music reminds me of good times but also allows me to daydream. When I listen to the pieces on the "album" December, I see myself in a snowy forest on a long walk bundled in warm wooly wonders, or sitting by a cozy fire covered with a hand-stitched quilt while sipping a cup of tea.  

Peace tip #9.

Find yourself a nice quiet place to sit. Open this link, press play. Close your eyes and listen. The title of this is (perhaps I'm a little predictable at this point) "Peace" by George Winston.

Where did this song take you? Someplace peaceful? Remember that place so in the midst of chaos you can think about that place and find a little respite from the storm. 

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”

— Eleanor Roosevelt

A bowl of peace, dreams, and friendship...