Happy September! This is one of my favorite months for so many reasons: the days are a bit cooler; apples are coming in season, and a hint of color is starting to appear on our mountain treetops. It is also a time to celebrate the Vernal (fall) Equinox in the northern hemisphere. This year the equinox is on Friday, September 22nd at 10:49 p.m. (PDT) marking a time when daylight and darkness are almost in equal balance. The equinox occurs a bit before the crazy busy holiday cycle that starts with Halloween and ends with “Happy New Year”! Equinox is the perfect time to ask yourself what areas of life are in balance (i.e. checkbook, eating habits, relationships, activity/rest, work/play, etc.). Being in balance can lend itself to a feeling of calmness and peace (the theme of this month’s special day). Taking time to journal, meditate, or reflect on the meaning of being in balance can offer valuable insights for the last quarter of 2023. Here’s wishing you balance, peace, and harmony as fall comes calling.
Now for the News:
- This Month’s Special Day: is September 21st International Day of Peace and is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace among and between nations and people. Here are some ways to honor the day:
- Silence: The Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Pathways to Peace began a tradition of holding one minute of silence for peace in every time zone, thus creating a “peace wave” around the world. It only takes a minute to join with others holding peace in mind and heart.
- Call a truce: Drop your weapons! Make an effort to move through this day without judging self or others in verbal or silent ways; engaging in overt or covert road (or other forms of) rage; and refrain from any form of aggressive, agitated, or angry behavior.
- Be Kind: Apply kindness and compassion in every circumstance and every interaction with self, other people, animals, home, workplace, environment, and inanimate objects. Treat the world as if it deserves peace, love, and compassion.
- Eat Gently: Eat slowly and mindfully today and always. Just for today, try a plant-based vegan diet for meals and snacks. Want to learn more about the vegan diet? Grab a copy of Recipes from the Food Doctor and Friends. This wonderful little recipe book is our Further Shore fundraiser and contains over 100 vegan recipes by Wayne Marinelli and friends. Appetizers, soups, salads, main courses including the infamous “Tofurkey, Stuffing, Gravy” recipe (just in time for Thanksgiving).
- Reflect: What does peace mean to you? Give it some thought today! What do you think it means to others in your family or friend circle? How can you practice and demonstrate peace in your corner of the world? How can you contribute to a more peaceful society?
- Celebrate: Host a “Peace Meal Potluck” to share vegan food and conversation about the meaning of personal, familial, communal, and/or global peace. If you can’t get together with others in person, reach out with messages of peace on social media.
- On the Blog: “U” is for Understanding and About “Me 2.0” are ready to read. Check out last September’s newsletter to learn about the peaceful art of splooting. You may also view the current, and all past newsletters here.
- Pandemic Tidbit: Most of my research of late involves Long Covid (LC). This 30 minute podcast from “The Rundown” provides relevant information about what people with LC and myalgic encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigues Syndrome (ME/CFS) experience. Guests, co-founder of Patient-Led Research Collaborative, Hannah Davis and Pulitzer winning science journalist, Ed Yong speak about the lack of public awareness, research, and treatments surrounding LC, as well as addressing experiences of long haulers.
- Further Shore Book Nook: This month’s book recommendation is Chasing Daylight – How My Forthcoming Death Transformed My Life by Eugene O’Kelley with Afterword by Corrine O’Kelley. In this touching and inspirational memoir, the author shares his three-and-a-half-month-long journey between a brain cancer diagnosis and his death. O’Kelley reminds us to embrace the fragile, fleeting moments of our lives-the brief time we have with our family, our friends, and even ourselves. Powerful and moving!
- Quote of the Month: “Only through compassion and inner peace, can one spread peace in the world. Inner peace leads to a peaceful individual and then this peaceful individual can build a peaceful family, then a peaceful community, then a peaceful world.” ~ H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama
May all beings be safe, well, happy, and content.