April 8, 2022 — Midweek, my friend Pamela rang me during the workday and asked in her crisp Queen’s English, “Have I disturbed you?” I couldn’t stop myself from answering, “No. I was already disturbed.”

We giggled then got serious. “I’m disturbed that we’re all standing around on this planetary playground watching the bully of all bullies decimate good people and every inch of their property and all we can manage is, ‘Tsk-tsk, let’s try to take away some of his lunch money.’

“I’m disturbed that the US ‘will accept’ 100,000 refugees while Poland — roughly the size and population of California, with a quarter of its economy — has already taken into their hearts and homes 2.5 million.” Knowing that I was honoring my emotions with a loving someone who feels the same way, I went on to say, “I’m disturbed by seeing myself toss more food in a day than some have eaten in weeks. Disturbed that I can somehow become more preoccupied with making a mani/pedi appointment than with making my deadline for our summer release, much less making life somehow easier for those fighting for peace. Disturbed by the sense that I give so little in a world that needs so much.”

Agreeing completely, Pam voiced her frustration much more succinctly, “Yes, there must be more one can do than worry, donate and pray.” Then I said, “There is!” and shared with her what I now will with you: This weekend, I’m taking to heart the words on this canvas print by Morgan Harper Nichols. I have it hanging in my home, as does our CEO Ana. For us, it’s a gentle reminder to do as this talented writer and artist encourages and “become a peace-maker in your own life.”

In her powerful book, All Along You Were Blooming, Nichols writes, “You do not have to have every answer in order to breathe deep and keep going. Remember to do the best you can do, while knowing and trusting that it is not all up to you.”

She encourages us to “Make a practice of resting … even though you have learned the skill of running on empty,” she says, “now is the time to learn the art of breathing deep all over again. Find moments between breaths, between midnight and mornings when no one is speaking and no one is singing, but God-sent love is breathing.”

I now have waiting on my Kindle to begin this evening Nichols’ new book, Peace is a Practice. In it she writes, “What I have learned in writing poetry and making art about peace over the past few years is that peace is a practice. The word practice means ‘to carry out,’ and peace is a way of living that we can carry out each day—maybe not everywhere all at once, but we can learn to find peace and live in its presence.

“While we are trying to make sense of things,” she says, “may we learn to make peace with things.”

Ahh. Deep breaths and many blessings as on we go.

Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative