This week marks the two year anniversary of the launch of Woven Voices. The past year has been one of multiple lessons and highlights. Perhaps the most exciting was the honor of receiving the
Sarah Farmer Peace Award. The PEACE flag that I received for this award flies high above my studio, reminding me to "stay the course".
Another feather in the cap for this global art project was the cross country radio interview on
November 2nd with Gabriele Bartholomew, host of the radio show called The Power of Peace on KSER Independent Public radio out of Snohomish County Washington. I have recently received a recording of the interview, and (with help) I hope to post it soon.
I celebrate this anniversary with much gratitude for all the folks who have given time, materials and effort to this Peace initiative.
As I reflect back over the two years of working on this project, I believe that the most important lesson that I have learned centers on that of giving with out expectation. In the beginning, I thought that this venture would be a 6 month project. I would weave the prayer flags and move on to new horizons.
As time went on, it appeared that the pace of this effort moved more slowly than I had anticipated. I was forced to slow down and honor what was being offered to me. Messages kept arriving, messages were read out loud (rain or shine), weavers came to my studio to weave and flags were sent out. All of this effort was paced slowly and thoughtfully. I became a student of my own work.
I learned that I am committed to this effort, this pathway to building PEACE. One step and a time, one thread at a time, one messages at a time, one prayer flag at a time. One voice woven from many to sing out loud that PEACE is possible.
I believe that if we each make a small step each day to grow PEACE, the world will move closer to becoming a safer more habitable place for all beings. My efforts toward PEACE might be to weave a prayer flag today, to speak words of truth to a friend tomorrow, and to sit in prayer the next day. I simply commit to small actions each and every day.
This is the lesson that I have learned from Woven Voices ~ that PEACE requires a steady effort and is not an actual destination. PEACE is a process. I am committed to taking the slow train on this journey ~ one message, one thread, one voice, one prayer flag at time.
I hope that you will join me on this journey.
Sarah
