Once again.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/dab25a_d78f585220a14896be6c79046ca24597/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

St. Augustine, FLorida

It's gotten to be a regular thing for a lot of people: Make a sign, meet and march. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor heat of day or "heat" on the ground has deterred anyone across the country and around the world. It is what we do together.

"I feel like I have done something afterward", says one vigil keeper in New Hampshire. "My sign is not my words--it was written years ago by Orwell", says a woman in Florida. Two voices in conservative states speaking up FOR something. Being for, is a bit different than being against. What we stand FOR matters as much as what someone is against. Standing with neighbors FOR---not against others---creates solidarity.

Solidarity started in the 1980's as a movement FOR the rights of workers in Poland. It grew and grew until it was 10 million strong (critical mass in the USA is 11 million) marching in the streets. The then, Communist Party tried to stop the marchers with martial law and political oppression.

A leader, Lech Walesa, emerged like a Phoenix rising, successfully negotiating with the government FOR a first-ever pluralistic election that resulted in his election as Poland's first democratically-elected President since 1926! Walesa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. He said the following in his acceptance speech:

"“Solidarity”, upon the people and the ideas for which we have fought and shall continue to do so in the spirit of peace and justice. And there is nothing I desire more than that the granting of the award should help the cause of peace and justice in my country and the world over.

My first words which I address to you, and through you to all people, are those which I have known since my childhood days: Peace to men of goodwill – all and everywhere, in the North and South, East and West.

I belong to a nation which over the past centuries has experienced many hardships and reverses. The world reacted with silence or with mere sympathy when Polish frontiers were crossed by invading armies and the sovereign state had to succumb to brutal force. Our national history has so often filled us with bitterness and the feeling of helplessness. But this was, above all, a great lesson in hope. Thanking you for the award I would like, first of all, to express my gratitude and my belief that it serves to enhance the Polish hope. The hope of the nation which throughout the nineteenth century had not for a moment reconciled itself with the loss of independence, and fighting for its own freedom, fought at the same time for the freedom of other nations. The hope whose elations and downfalls during the past forty years

We desire peace – and that is why we have never resorted to physical force. We crave for justice – and that is why we are so persistent in the struggle for our rights, We seek freedom of convictions – and that is why we have never attempted to enslave man’s conscience nor shall we ever attempt to do so."

Solidarity is a recipe for success. Until a new leader emerges, we the people--- together ---are leading the way each time we meet, and march with our homemade signs held high.

St Augustine, Florida

 "What we need in the world more than anything else today is living examples of models---people who work, settling within themselves without running around whining and complaining...."

-Zen Master, Kosho Uchiyama, Deepest Practice, Deepest wisdom, page 245

Walk For Peace – Day 76 – Gilbert & Lexington, South Carolina

|https://dhammacetiya.com/category/activities/walk-for-peace/

🙏 Deepest Gratitude to Lexington County Sheriff’s Department

We are profoundly grateful to Sheriff Jay Koon and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department for welcoming us into Lexington County, South Carolina on Day 76 of our journey.

Sheriff Koon welcomed us as we entered the county, and his department has assigned deputies to travel alongside us, ensuring our safety as we walk through the beautiful community. Their dedication to support means everything—not just for our protection, but for the peace of mind of everyone on the road.

Thank you to every deputy, every officer, and every member of the Sheriff’s Department who is working behind the scenes to support this journey. Your support, your professionalism, and your care do not go unnoticed. We are honored to walk through Lexington County under your protection.📸 Photo credit: Lexington County Sheriff’s Department

May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace. 🙏💙

Imperialist v Itinerant

Say good-bye to 2025...finally! I refuse to review what has come to pass in America. But, before fast forwarding into 2026, I am looking way way way back to the first year--- A.D. ---the year of our Lord.

In that year, we are told in many ways through different faith traditions that Jesus arrived in the world. Whatever version you subscribe to, the story told is one of an itinerant man who wandered with a mission. He was not a missionary, per se, like those who arrived later aboard ships from elsewhere with the intention of converting native peoples. Jesus was an itinerant wanderer with a message meant for every person --- not just some---for all. The message, if you think back as far as memory serves to what you learned early on, or later on, is to love God and your neighbor. What in the world, in this world of ours, does that actually look like in 2025? Enter the imperialists.

Imperialists have had many names since Jesus' time: Herod, Caesar, Constantine, Byzantines, Roman Empire right up to today, (fill in the blanks) each crusading to eliminate or align with the itinerant message of love. Those opposed to it murdered their neighbors, those in support did the same. Either way, conflating the two serves a very different purpose.

Leaving aside those who vehemently oppose the message as false, what remains are those who are neutral (?), and others who adamantly support the message of love your neighbor taught by one itinerant soul two thousand plus years ago. In the name of Jesus, Christians claim this message as their own: Love your neighbor, as yourself --- no exceptions. Okay, so far, but taking that itinerant's message on the road looks nothing like what it says. Imperialists have added caveats:

Love your neighbor --- except LGBTQ.

Love your neighbor --- except dark skinned ones.

Love your neighbor --- except those who are poor.

Love your neighbor --- except those who are up North.

Love your neighbor --- except those who are down South.

Love your neighbor --- except those who believe in Allah.

Allah, the other name for God is used by nearly two billion Muslims the world over for nearly as long. Imperialists have fought with swords, with guns, with bombs---even this Christmas Day--- against these neighbors---these believers in God. Loving your neighbor is non-negotiable. It cannot be parsed out to mean this neighbor, but not that one --- this country, but not those others.

What happened along the way throughout the story of the itinerant one is imperialists hijacked the original message. Imperialists believe less in love your neighbor and more in love My country--- but not yours! In other words: ME FIRST---And only those like me.

How else can you justify dropping bombs from the heavens on unnamed neighbors on the very day celebrated as the birthday of the itinerant one who said we are to love our neighbors? How else can you justify allowing children to starve to death in a country far from your own and in your own? How else can you believe in rights for some men, but not for all women around the world? This argument does not stand up against the truth that loving our neighbor was and is the only message and whole point to the itinerant wanderer's story. Take a look at this message in action in 2025 A.D.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QWD75PQbwQ

What does this Christmas mean to you?

After the longest night, I arose to a flock of white pelicans soaring in the pink light of the latest sunrise of the year. My heart soared with them. I gathered the Christmas cards written during the pause of the winter solstice while listening to heavenly voices singing Gregorian Chant, put on a down vest and walked through the woods to the mailbox. I was reminded of New England by the chirping chickadees, their black caps against the red maple leaves. I breathed in the cool fresh air. As the temperatures rose with the sun, the marsh turned gold outside my window. Christmas morning is three days away, but should be today with the perfect light shining down on a weary world. No matter how much planning or shopping, the Christmas Spirit cannot be manufactured. Yet, at one time or another who hasn't tried to create a fairy tale Christmas, if not for ourselves, perhaps for young ones in the family?

Christmas Past:

'Twas the night before Christmas when a very skinny Santa appeared at my mother's door. The five of us in our flannel-footed jammies fixed our eyes on the white beard and disshoveled hair, topped with a jingle-bell cap. Hmmm? Is this the real Santa? I wondered. He came inside with a box (not a sack) of wrapped presents and called each of us by name. Then, with a twinkle in his eye he spotted the spinet piano. He sat down and played jingle bells...singing all the way! Does the real Santa play the piano? I didn't think so. He let out a laugh that sounded just like my next door neighbor's. I began to see through the scheme the adults had cooked up for us. Nice try!

The darkness of the winter solstice holds within each Christmas story the"hopes and fears of all the years". I am lingering in the darkness as Christmas Present fast approaches, remembering my French Canadian grandmother, Marie Laure, who died on Christmas morning when I was a teenager. I reached her final age this year. Carrying her name as my nom de plume and middle name keeps her close in my heart of hearts. I loved the way she looked at me---seeing through me---into me. What a perfect gift to give and to receive year round.

This year, Memere, is giving another lasting gift to me and my children and their children---As good as frankincense, myrrh and gold all wrapped up with a big red bow! I had asked for this in my letters sent up North with a hope and a prayer, and fingers crossed. Sometimes, you get what you wish for. . .

On Christmas Day when all the other gifts are unwrapped, I will give my my son and daughter and three young adult grandkids the gift of a lifetime from their great-great-grandparents born in Quebec City.

Joyeaux Noel! Je me souviens.