Thursday, January 9, 2003 - My birthday!
Today I performed my first 51 Nightingales Act of Peace - scary and exciting! I decided to take my flute down to the Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale to play music near my mother's memorial brick. I love this spot, I bought this brick several years ago so that I would have a place to go on special occasions to honor my mother, Ruth Leah Paton Wilansky. She passed away when I was in high school, and that event definitely accelerated my spiritual journey, as well as helping lead me to my mission to play hospice music. Her brick is in a very nice spot near the river and the New River Inn, an area where I have played countless gigs over the years, from Jazz Brunch to weddings and even a memorial service for a dedicated Parks & Rec volunteer. It's a spot blessed with lots of trees, breezes and birds singing.
As I approached my spot, I saw a woman with baby sitting in the gazebo nearby. I love playing for very young children, they're so open! It was a beautiful sunny day, just before 5 PM, as I put down a big pillow to sit on (a gift from my dear stepmother Rose), and put out a bowl of my new Peace Passes for passersby to take.
Just as I started playing, some loud and rather out-of-tune chimes started playing nearby - maybe coming from the big clock there. Competition! No way I could play my peaceful music with those chimes going. Finally the song ended. Ah, peace and quiet again.... I started another song, and the chimes started another song! This happened three or four times, and I wasn't feeling very peaceful! Didn't they know I was trying to do something great here?! Finally the chimes stopped, and I realized they had only been playing for about 5 minutes. Another lesson in patience for me! (I also figured out when they started chiming again an hour later that the chimes probably play every hour - good to know for my future musical visits to the Riverwalk.)
So I settled down on my pillow and started playing. People passed by on bicycles and skates, walking and talking on cell phones, strolling in pairs and shepherding their kids. A few folks settled in on nearby benches to watch the river flow. Not many people were taking my Peace Passes, but a few actually left tips in my bowl. I guess people are more used to seeing musicians with a bowl expecting tips rather than giving something out! Maybe because the Peace Passes are business card size, people thought that's what they were. Something to think about - how to display the Peace Passes so people will be more likely to pick one up. I encourage those who stopped to chat to take a Peace Pass and most did.
But a lot of those who passed by didn't even glance at me. Again I thought, Don't they know I'm trying to do something great here?! Something for them? Something for the world?! I quickly realized that I just had to offer up my music like I always do, and let go of the results. Those who are open to receive it will, like any gift or opportunity.
I believe that sending my music out into the universe, combined with my healing intent, works on a vibrational level, and helps bring healing energy where it is needed. So maybe even those who seemed to ignore me got a little healing as they passed through the vibrational field, and I know some of the people along the Riverwalk enjoyed the music. I got lots of smiles, had a few nice chats, and like I said, received some unexpected tips!
I had hoped the woman with the baby would eventually stroll over in my direction so I could see the baby and play for him or her up close and personal (and maybe the mother would tell me how much she enjoyed my lovely music), but after a while they rolled off in the opposite direction, with barely a glance towards the flautist on the pillow. So much for my expectations!
What I learned: I guess the only person I can really bring peace to is myself. And even that can be a challenge at times. If I'm attached to the idea of bringing peace to others, and have expectations about that, I don't feel so peaceful! And I can't make anyone else feel anything. So it will be important for me to do this 51 Nightingales stuff without attachment or expectations, or at least try to. I still feel that my goal of bringing peace to myself and others is a wonderful and important one, I just have to be conscious about how I do that, do my best, and let go of the results. Sort of like everything in life!
Tonight I came home and, in my mail, I found this year's Syracuse Cultural Workers' PEACE CALENDAR - a birthday gift from my dear friend Peggy - and this month's newsletter from Independent Unity announcing their theme for 2003 is "Creating a Culture of Peace." How cool is that?!
I love this news story about another very cool thing that happened on my birthday:
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Sunday, January 19, 2003
This week I wanted to drop off flowers at a local hospital for the nurses to give to someone who needed them - something I love doing - but I just couldn't see a time in my schedule to do it. So instead I decided to bring flowers to Patti Cota-Robles, one of my favorite spiritual teachers, who was in town presenting a seminar that day. I really enjoyed picking out the perfect flowers to bring her - a found a maroon and pink bouquet of carnations, alstromeria and another flower I forget the name of that just radiated love and life energy - that was the one! I put them in one of those pretty Martinelli apple juice jars that I had saved for just such an occasion and tied a matching ribbon around the bottle neck, attaching a thank you note scribed on one of the Peace Passes.
I went up to Patti during our lunch break and gave her the flowers and a 51 Nightingales flier, and she put the flowers next to the podium where they remained for the rest of her presentation - that was nice! There were a lot of people who wanted to talk with her, so we didn't get to talk further, but I hope she enjoyed the flowers and received my appreciation for her work, which they symbolized. I met up with several other spiritual friends there - a nice surprise! - including one who was also on the sacred sites trip where I recorded my forthcoming Return to Avalon CD, and it was wonderful to lunch with them. Of course the seminar was great too, and had a lot to do with creating peace in the world.
After the seminar, I returned to enjoy the last day of the South Florida Folk Festival, which I love to go to every year. I had put out 51 Nightingales fliers there the day before and lots of people were interested in talking to me about it, which is so exciting! One woman even told me that someone else, someone I don't even know, had already told her about the project! It was a beautiful day filled with music and lots of hugs from friends and strangers, and people kept giving me lovely presents: chocolates, concert tickets, CDs, hot tea.... I felt very rich!
And to top it off, something I can only call a miracle happened: the day before, when I got home from the festival, I discovered one of my earrings was missing - from a favorite pair I got years ago at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my jewelry, and how I hate to lose things! As I reviewed my day, I thought of a few likely places I might have lost the earring, and determined to at least try to find it. I know it sounds crazy to look for an earring lost in a big park - and I was all over that park on Saturday! - but I really wanted my earring back.
I visualized having both earrings, said a prayer or two to St. Anthony, and when I arrived at the Folk Fest, looked around the likely spots where I thought I might find my earring. I also told everyone I ran into, and the emcee, Heather, was kind enough to make an announcement to the crowd. With all those eyes looking, I thought I had a much better chance!
It was getting dark and I figured my chances of finding my earring were dwindling with the vanishing light. But earlier Jay, the stage manager, had suggested I talk to Pete, who had been tidying up around the stage earlier. I couldn't find Pete at the other stage where he had been volunteering, but finally ran into him after dark, and started to ask him about my earring. Before I even got to describe it, he said "Is it a dangly thing?" "Yes!" I said excitedly! He had seen something early that morning on the side of the stage but didn't know if it was still there. I rushed to the side of the stage, and lo and behold, there was my lost earring! My friend Carrie Lynn was nearby and said she had found it that morning and put it on the stage. Neither she nor Pete had heard the announcement, but because Jay told me to ask Pete, well, all the pieces fell into place for me to find my earring.
I don't know if I should credit luck, persistence, St. Anthony, my guardian angels or sheer coincidence for helping me get my earring back.... So I'm calling it a Folk Fest miracle! I am so grateful! And I know I'll enjoy this particular pair of earrings all the more in the future.
I'm not sure if there's a lesson here about detachment, 'cause if I had let go of the idea of getting my earring back, I probably wouldn't have it now. Of course, if I could have let go, it wouldn't have disturbed my peace so much! I was definitely not feeling too peaceful about having lost it. Or maybe the lesson is, I should be as persistent about some other things as I was about getting my earring back. Maybe I'd get equally great results!
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Three weeks into the project and I'm already behind! Ah well, it's my project, and it does not make me feel peaceful to be too hard on myself! Maybe I'll do two things this week. I have been doing lots of peaceful things, spreading the word about 51 Nightingales, attending organizing meetings for Peace South Florida, and lots of other stuff. But it's time to do my 51 Nightingales thing!
For this week I picked something very simple to do, yet I feel it's significant in terms of learning more about how to create peace in my life, so I'll share a little background.
At the recent South Florida Folk Festival, I put out my spiffy new 51 Nightingales fliers, and as a result, ended up meeting a woman visiting from New York who had buttons she wanted to sell bearing the message "No War on Iraq." So next to my fliers seemed like the logical place for her to put her buttons. She seemed anxious to sell the buttons and didn't really seem to understand why I didn't want to buy one, but I'm more interested in messages of peace. There's a quote circulating lately from Mother Teresa that says it all: "I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there." Nevertheless I appreciated what she was doing and told her so.
So we all went about our day and I didn't expect to see her again. When I got home from the festival that night, there was a very long message from her on my voice mail that when she went back to pick up her buttons (and, she hoped, money) at the end of the day, everything had been packed up and she couldn't find them. She was going back to New York in a few days and could I take care of this for her? Find the buttons and mail them back to her?
Now, I allowed this to disturb my peace. Rather than just looking at this as an opportunity to do a small favor for a colleague on the path, I felt burdened and resentful. Hey, I've got more than enough to do without adding this to my list! I called back one of the several numbers she left, and left a message strongly encouraging her to find a way to pick up the buttons the next day, which I assumed (correctly as it turned out) had simply been safely packed away and would resurface the next day. But at the end of the next day, the buttons were still there on the festival table, along with a note she had left asking for them to be mailed back to her in New York. Due to my previous although minimal contact with her, I was asked to take the buttons and follow up, and unwillingly, I agreed to do so, because there really was no one else to take care of it.
I returned home that evening at 11:30 PM to more messages from her, and called her as soon as I walked in from a very long day. Still feeling put upon, I wanted to find a way for her to get her buttons back without my having to do much to help. She said she'd arrange for a local friend to pick them up from me. Still, I was annoyed because it was late and I was hungry and she seemed to want to stay on the phone and didn't seem to appreciate this great sacrifice I was making by calling her back before I took care of my own little concerns!
Her friend did call a few days later, but it sounded like it might be a while before she'd be able to pick up the buttons. A week went by. I looked at the little bag every day and it bothered me. I feel so unsatisfied with my home right now, it's just too full of stuff - wonderful stuff to be sure, stuff I love, but way too much of it. This is one of the things that interferes with my peace on an ongoing basis, and I'm really feeling the need to do something about it. So this thing, on top of all my other stuff, was definitely bothering me.
So I decided to, TA DA, mail the buttons and money back myself! Which I figured would bring a little peace to me, to the woman in New York, and to her friend in Boca as well, who wouldn't have to come get them. It's so simple, and if I had just decided to do this in the first place, I could have avoided all of those unpeaceful feelings I've recounted in the previous paragraphs! Did you get as annoyed reading all that as I did recounting it? I've got to say these were not my finest hours....
Boxing up the buttons turned out to be very simple, and it cost me a big $2.11 in postage. I hit the post office at just the right moment too, so the line was very short - always a blessing. All in all, it was so easy to do this, and yet I spent so much energy avoiding doing it - energy that could have been much better used for other purposes.
When I think about this, I can see how the choices I made led to my not feeling peaceful for many moments, and how I could have made a different choice anywhere along the way. When I finally did make a different choice, all the resentment disappeared, and I felt good about taking care of this little task.
Will I learn from this in the future? I guess time will tell. It is so easy to blame other people for disturbing my peace, rather than taking responsibility for my own feelings, and knowing that, to a great extent, I can change my feelings by changing my attitudes about things. And by doing so, I can create more peace in my life.
Friday, February 7, 2003
I got an e-mail about this great campaign that's going on to send rice to the White House, and decided to participate. To see the text of the e-mail, check my 51 Peacemakers page.
In accordance with the campaign, I put a 1/2 cup of rice in a little bag and wrote the following note on a little heart-shaped piece of paper to accompany it:
Dear Pres. Bush,
If you are really a Christian, then act like one! "If your enemies are hungry, feed them." - Romans 12:20 Send this rice to the people of Iraq, instead of attacking them. Make Rice Not War! We are praying for you to be guided to make Peace! § Laura Sue
I wrapped it all up together with a Peace Pass saying "Peace through Understanding" and mailed it to the White House. On the envelope I wrote: "This package contains rice for the people of Iraq. Make Rice Not War!"
Now I really don't know if this act will bring peaceful feelings to anyone besides me, so maybe it doesn't fit my criteria for 51 Nightingales, that each act bring peaceful feelings to myself and at least one other person. But I hope by doing this to spread the word about this campaign and inspire other people to participate. And maybe even help Pres. Bush realize that there are a lot of people encouraging him to find an alternative to war!
If we send enough rice, maybe they will make it the White Rice House! (except I sent brown rice : )
I was talking to my friend Laura Kay about sending the rice, and she said she's been praying for Pres. Bush and all our government officials to be guided rightly, to make good decisions and find a way to make peace. I really like that idea, so I am doing the same! I'm a great believer in the power of prayer and have seen some powerful transformations in my life that cannot be attributed to any other source. While I don't believe prayer takes the place of action, I also don't believe that action takes the place of prayer. Both are needed and both are valuable in their own way.
Sunday, February 9, 2003
On this day I planned to take part in James Twyman's Great Experiment III meditation, anchored from the Middle East. He invited peacemakers to join him for this trip, and when it was first announced, I felt so called to participate. I felt just like I had felt when I first heard about the Sacred Sites trip where I recorded material for my forthcoming Return to Avalon CD. Yet for whatever reason, I just didn't feel I could pull the resources together to make this journey... and after much thought and some internal struggle, I let it go as best I could.
So when February 9 arrived, I tried to take the best attitude I could about my participation - that it was just as useful to participate in the meditation from here, that I hadn't missed out on something I was supposed to be a part of as a result of my own shortcomings. As I'm writing this, I remember that as wonderful as my sacred sites trip was, one of the conclusions I came to at the time was that I've had deeper and more profound spiritual experiences at home, in my day to day spiritual practice, than I had on the trip in all those fabulous ancient and sacred spaces. Still, I wished that I could have been in the Middle East with James and the others.
Instead, I planned to participate in the meditation with some friends at Angel Light New Age Bookstore. As I was driving down there, I turned on the Sunday Blues show on WKPX as I often do on a Sunday morning, and heard the host Dar talking about how the artist she had just played had been one of her husband Todd's favorites - and I realized that Todd must have finally passed on, as a result of the cancer he faced for the last several years. Dar and Todd had been on my mind and in my prayers ever since I first heard that he had cancer, and lately I had been thinking about them a lot.
Dar announced a memorial service would be held later that day, and my mind immediately began churning to try to figure out if I could get there. I had another gig after the meditation at a church Valentine's Dance, and as luck would have it, the memorial service was going to be held right down the street from there. Unfortunately, the two events were happening at the same time, so I didn't know if I would be able to catch up with Dar.
As much as I tried to focus during the meditation, my thoughts kept returning to Dar and Todd, and in retrospect, I feel okay about it. My mission for that day was to deliver a message of support to Dar, and that was more important than any other goal for me that day. We did the meditation, I played a bit, we talked about 51 Nightingales and other peace activities, and then I went home to write a card for Dar.
I went on to the gig and met up with my fellow musicians and the nice folks at the church. What a love space they had created! Hearts and flowers and cupids everywhere! But more than the decorations, they treated us musicians so kindly.... It was truly a pleasure to play for such warm, loving folks, and they all seemed to really be enjoying themselves.
After the dance I packed up my gear and paid the guys as fast as I could, and rushed over to where the memorial service was held. Even though the service had been hours earlier, Dar was still there in a big black hat with a small group of friends, and I had the chance to hug her, talk with her and give her the card I had written. I felt good about being able to offer her my ongoing support and a friendly ear. As part of my core mission, it is always important to me to make sure that people I know who are experiencing grief and loss have a source of support, and accurate information on handling bereavement. Many people, while loving and well meaning, don't really know how to help somone in this situation, so I do everything I can to share the information I have with those who may need it.
Maybe the reason I didn't end up going on the trip with James is that I was supposed to be here to deliver that message to Dar. I do know that I felt a sense of rightness at the end of the day. I had felt very distracted and decidedly not peaceful most of the day, unable to concentrate on the meditation or the gig. But the one thing that felt really important, to see Dar and deliver my message, that I was able to accomplish, and I felt very good about that, and at the end of the day, peaceful.
Saturday, February 15, 2003
I participated along with 11 million people around the world! in an international day of protest against Bush's plan to invade Iraq. I was very happy that several of the South Florida groups who had been holding separate events decided to work together on this rally. We met at the Torch of Friendship in Miami and although the rally started slow, the energy built and grew throughout the day so much that at the end, scores of people lingered long after the event was done, as if they didn't want to leave.
The speakers shared lots of great information and the performers were inspiring and touching, including many very adorable children from a variety of countries singing, dancing and doing readings. It was such a noisy environment with all the cars honking for peace that a quiet meditative flute solo didn't seem like the right thing in the moment, so I got everyone clapping and drumming and did a nice upbeat version of "I Can See Clearly Now". I felt very good about my performance and felt I had helped contribute in a significant way.
I also met some interesting new folks, and had the chance to catch up with some of my peace activist friends who I haven't seen in a few years. It was great to see so many people making a stand for peace! I felt even better when I got home and watched the news that night and saw how many people around the world were doing the same! It felt wonderful to know I had been a part of something truly worldwide and transformational! I was so thrilled, encouraged, and inspired to continue with my work for peace....
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"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead "Never give up, and never under any circumstances, no matter what, never face the facts." - Ruth Gordon |
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Rev. Kathy Bishop, a good friend and teacher, invited me to appear on her Living Prosperously TV show, so this was the day we did the taping. I was nervous about the taping, though I looked forward to the opportunity to play and talk about my music for hospice, and the 51 Nightingales project. Rev. Kathy and Independent Unity's theme for this year is "Creating a Culture of Peace" and they're doing a variety of activities in connection with that theme.
As it turned out, the taping went by so fast, it was over before I knew it. Rev. Kathy and co-host Miguel Reyna brought up some great points during our discussion. When we were done I was wishing that the show was twice as long so we could have covered a lot more ground! Unfortunately, it looks like I won't actually be able to see the show (except on tape) because I'll be playing at an Interfaith Peace Service the day it's aired. Check my schedule for information on both!
Saturday, March 1, 2003
I played as part of a Peace Festival at Young Circle in Hollywood. I wasn't sure what to play at this event, and at the last minute decided to debut my new work in progress, "Prayer of the Nightingale." I'm not even sure about the title at this point, but I know this song is a prayer for peace and want the title to reflect that. I also wasn't sure how this piece would work as a solo - it's supposed to have berimbao, dijeridoo, violin, percussion and a bunch of other instruments. But a lot of people told me the song really moved them, and I was immediately invited to play it at an Interfaith Prayer Service next week. So I guess it works as a solo piece too!
I was asked to play in honor of Nasseer Idrisi, a sitarist who was supposed to perform at this event. Due to a severe and unprovoked beating by three goon employees of Beach Towing the previous week, this Miami Beach resident and respected UM faculty member is in intensive care instead.
Human beings' great capacity for both love and hate never ceases to amaze me! I continue to choose to believe that love can and does ultimately prevail, because it's the only way I can keep going. Also, I know that, like all of us, I have within myself the potential to be violent, so it's important to keep choosing love and light for my own well-being, and so my personal actions will be in accordance with my beliefs and principles, actions I can live with.
So I dedicated my performance to Nasseer, and said I hoped to have an opportunity to play with him when he's better. Several people at the festival talked to me about performing at a benefit for Nasseer which they're in the process of organizing. I'll let you know about that when details are available.
I was rather disappointed at this event because there weren't as many people as the February 15 rally, and I kept feeling like we were preaching to the choir, what were we doing to increase the peace? Yet I reminded myself of my belief that every single person who thinks about peace makes a difference. At the end of the festival, Marcy Roban led a wonderful circle meditation and told us we had created a vortex in the park, so I guess that was good! Still, it got me thinking about how I/we can be more effective in working for peace. If I figure out any answers, I'll share them with you!
Monday, March 3, 2003
Today I participated in James Twyan's meditation, which he anchored with a group in Korea. James, Neale Donald Walsch and others joined Dr. Ilchi Lee, the creator of Dahn Hak, to dedicate the University for Peace in Seoul, South Korea. The University of Peace is an affiliate of the United Nations.
At 3:33 PM, I sat at my altar, lit three candles, and burned cedar for clearing and sage for wisdom. It felt good, and I got that connected feeling of being part of thousands, maybe millions of consciousnesses reaching for and touching the Divine, and sharing that space together.
I also signed up for James' "Art of Spiritual Peacemaking" course today and received the first message of 33 which will be delivered over 99 days. I feel good about deciding to participate in this activity. The first message was very moving.
Due to the numerical aspects of this day and time, I feel a special connection to the energy and activities today, as 9 has always been "my number." At times like this, I feel I am right where I'm supposed to be, doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't always feel that way.
For more information about James and his work, visit Emissary of Light.
In the evening, I attended a wonderful reading by The Women's Theatre Project as part of the The Lysistrata Project. Aristophanes' anti-war comedy has been updated by Drue Robinson Hagan and was performed for peace in 1029 theatres in 59 countries today! The rewrite was very clever and totally on point, and TWTP did a great job of bringing it to life. It was nice to be part of a very interested and responsive audience for this reading as well. Afterwards, there was a lively discussion of what's going on locally in the peace movement, and I was glad to have the opportunity to share some information about active local peace groups. It didn't occur to me till after I sat down to mention 51 Nightingales (silly me!) but I did put 51 Nightingales fliers out and lots of people took them, so I felt good about that.
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The Declaration of Humanity - written by Dr. Ilchi Lee I declare that I am a Spiritual Being, an essential and eternal part of the Soul of Humanity, one and indivisible. |
Sunday, March 9, 2003
I participated in an Interfaith Peace Service at St. Maurice in Hollywood. This was a very special event for me because my sister Eleanor and my niece Rebecca were in town visiting me, and Ellie came with me to the service. My immediate family all live in Pennsylvania so they almost never get to attend my gigs. Ellie got right into the swing of things, talking to people and helping set up chairs and such.
It was a very nice service, with representatives of many faiths, and we did some good praying! I enjoyed playing in this lovely outdoor setting under the trees, and shared my new peace song, Prayer of the Nightingale. The focus of the service was to pray for a change of heart for George Bush and Saddam Hussein, which I think is a good thing to continue to pray for.
Also at this service, my first deck of Peace Passes was bought by a nice woman whose two sons were clamoring for her to buy them a deck. I thought it likely that the Peace Passes might appeal more to women, especially because they are packaged in delicate little organza bags, but those boys wanted those Peace Passes - I thought that was very cool!
After the service my sister took me out for a fabulous brunch at a deli she discovered right across the street. We pigged out on pastrami, cole slaw and pickles - yum!
Saturday, March 15, 2003
On this day I played as part of a National Day of Protest at the Torch of Friendship in Miami. The feeling, for me at least, was rather different than the last time I played at this location. I had been invited to play by the head of one of the groups sponsoring the rally, but despite repeated attempts to contact the person organizing this particular event, I was unable to find out if I was actually included in the program. Well, I figured I'd just go ahead and show up, I wanted to be there anyway. Though I had mixed feelings about bringing all the equipment I would need to play when I didn't know for sure if I would be playing.
Apparently there were a lot of people in the same situation, so I spent several hours during the event trying to find out if I would be able to play, along with all the other folks who wanted to be on the program. This did not make me feel particularly peaceful, and the folks running the event didn't seem too peaceful either. Even though the event was going well with great speeches and music and such, behind the scenes, we were all getting pretty stressed out and exasperated with each other! Is this any way to run a peace rally?
Finally, near the end of the day, a lovely young man who was about to do some spoken word pieces overheard the discussion I was having with Bob Offer, the emcee, and immediately starting praising my music and offered to give up part of his time so I could play (what a sweetie! I wish I could remember his name!) After that, Bob finally realized who I was and that he had heard me play, and said he would definitely make time for me to play a song. He gave me this wonderful introduction and talked about all the stress we had all been experiencing behind the scenes, and about how great my music was for creating peace. It was really nice, and I was happy that I did finally have an opportunity to play for everyone.
As soon as I was done playing, everyone (!) that was remaining on the program asked me to sit in with them, including a teen church band from Boca, Marcy Roban for another wonderful closing meditation, and others. Turns out Bob Offer is a flute player too, so he jumped in with the church band and we did a little dual fluting!
After the rally was over and we started breaking down the equipment, it started pouring rain and I got trapped in a leaky tent with some other folks for a really long time, as I had nothing to cover my equipment with (note to self: buy a tarp!) Thank Goddess for the tent! I was finally able to join my carpooling companions at the nearby restaurant where they had taken cover, and hours after the rally, eventually got home safe and sound, though a little ragged around the edges. What a day....
Still, I figure any day a B-52 doesn't fly over my neighborhood dropping bombs is a good day, and I'm grateful for that. I pray for the day when there aren't bombers flying over anyone's neighborhood!
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
I sent out a post titled "Growing Peace," and I got such a warm response, I thought I'd post the opening section here as well. I gave a lot of thought to what I wanted to say on this day, which as it turns out, was the day before the attack on Iraq started, and this exactly expressed my feelings at that moment:
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1. GROWING PEACE
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March, 2003
Dear Friends, Fans, Family and Members of the Press,
A month ago I bought a droopy little tea rose that was dying on the shelf at Publix. It had been marked way down and didn't look long for this world. But I just knew this plant could be saved by a little love, attention - and water. And today it's spreading its verdant branches by my front door, bright with 16 beautiful blooms!
And while watering my beautiful roses today, I was thinking that maybe growing plants is kind of like growing peace.
Like everyone else these days, I'm wondering if there is any hope of world peace. Things don't look so good at the moment. But even now, the seeds of peace are sprouting up everywhere. Millions of people are participating in peace marches, meditations, rallies and vigils all over the planet. This is the first time in the history of the world that there's been a global, grassroots dialogue questioning the legitimacy of war itself, and a committed, worldwide people's movement for peace. Even the New York Times recently called the global peace movement the SecondSuperpower!
So maybe peace is just like my lovely little tea rose. No matter how things appear, let's see peace blooming all over the planet, and nurture our visions of peace with love, attention and action.
I've been imagining how great it would be, and how different we'd feel, if the news media were doing wall-to-wall coverage of the worldwide peace movement instead of the preparations for war.
I'm doing my part through my 51 Nightingales Peace Project, and you are all invited to join me. I'm excited to announce that I now have 51 NIGHTINGALES PEACE PASSES available for you! Please see #5 below for ordering details.
I'm also thrilled to be playing a lunchtime concert with the fabulous ORQUESTRA NIGHTINGALE this Wednesday at Broward County Main Library. Please see #2 below for all details.
I find that listening to music is always a wonderful and reliable way to instantly create more peace and joy in my life. One of the things people tell me most often is that my music helps them feel peaceful. With all that's going on in the world, this a great time to give peaceful flute CDs to all your friends and loved ones! Please see #4 below for info on purchasing my CDs.
I look forward to playing for you soon, and send heartfelt wishes for Peace, Love and Harmony!
Laura Sue, the Silver Nightingale
Peace Flautist
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The post continued with details about my performances and other
projects as per usual. Here are some of the responses I received to
this message:
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Thank you for a wonderful message. I agree. We are waging peace with a worldly dialog and the part we play in music and art counts! I send my love to you Laura Randy Leibowitz, artist |
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You are sooooo wonderful Miss Peace Flautist! I love having you in my life...It it an honor to know such a beautiful spirit...With much love and respect... Noodles, musician |
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Dear Laura, Thank you for your email and your healing consciousness. Just this morning I was looking at a card I have dedicated to John Lennon, and the life work he and Yoko have done for PEACE, and I wondered where have all the flowers gone. Yes, our world has changed. I know that most people are praying for PEACE. We have a prayer circle at Unity of Ft. Lauderdale, Monday at 7:00 p.m. if you would like to join us one night. PEACE be with you. Mally Grimshaw-Pettit, artist |
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Your story was beautiful, thanks for sharing. You might not remember me, but we met last year at the brass band concert. Beth introduced us. I gave you my card with my email on it and since then you've been sending me your newsletters. Sorry I haven't been at any of your performances, I've been working on the weekends. Good to hear from you. Clara Perez |
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Hi Laura Sue, I just ordered your cd...I am teaching a Meditation Class and wanted them to hear your wonderful work...Sounds like you are doing great.. Love Ya, Pam Fill (Unity of Ft. Lauderdale - 4 1/2 years ago...) |
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Nice message, Laura Sue, and perfect for our times. I enjoyed reading it. Just got back from the Will Mclean Festival in Dade City, where I saw several friends from South florida. Do you know Grant Livingston? How about Amy Carol Webb? She put on an amazingly powerful show at the festoval. I also made friends with Carla Ulbrich in Nashville; we were roommates (along with 3 others in a pretty crowded room!) during the folk alliance. Glad you're still gigging and doing well. Hey, did you get to see the live broadcast of Prairie Home Companion down there? I would have loved to go to Jacksonvile, but we put on a big event here that day for Gather the Women. Keep in touch and keep the peace-- Cathy DeWitt, musician |
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Hi Laura Sue! It's Heidi, the jewelry/chainmail girl. It was great seeing you at the Folk Fest a couple months ago. I don't get out much these days, so it is really wonderful to see all my old friends at events like those. I really do enjoy getting your newsletter, and I am happy about your rosebush, and just as disturbed about what is going on with the world at this moment. I won't get started, I am just trying to think happy thoughts and heal. :) Much love, Heidi C. |
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Dear Laura Sue, You are a gift and we are in an incredible moment in the history of our world. There is a deep need to quiet the mind, get in the stillness of the soul and keep creating peace. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Marsha Brody, artist and writer |
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I loved the tea rose story! *hug* hope all is well, andrea de michaelis, publisher, Horizons Magazine |
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What a TERRIFIC STELLAR newsletter! Rob and I have already launched into about 4 new songs, and mark vose has brought over his mini disk to record us; we have tall ceilings and wooden floors: i.e. EXCELLENT acoustics for recording. ONE of the new songs Im THRILLED to announce IS a peace/antiwar, pro-consciousness song that is utterly interesting and engaging that rob came up with yesterday that we're currently tweaking. Rather bob dylan-eque inspired. n mark V is playing sweet searing harmonica on it. MUCH LOVE AND LIGHT!!!!! Deedee Finney, musician |
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Hey Laura Sue, That was beautiful, thank you. You said you were going to see Zoe Lewis, right? Will you bring some Peace Passes that night? I want to buy one and I'm sure others will too. See you then. xo, Nancy Wuerzburger, feminist and peace activist |
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Laura Sue, Your peace passes idea is wonderful and I look forward to seeing them at the next time I see you in person. You are not just wonderfully enterprising and full of energy without end, you are a promoter of wonderful ideas in wonderful ways. Love, Lily Mazurek, artist and theater manager |
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Hi Laura Sue! Happy 51st! You continue to AMAZE me with your creative thoughts and ideas. I really enjoyed reading that newsletter! Much love Your buddy Shana :-) , musician |
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I love the email. I have forwarded it on.... Blessings, Stella White, artist |
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Hi Laura, It's been a while since we've connected but I love reading your e-mails. We applaud your efforts toward a worldwide peace. We too are saddened by the unjust war that is about to take place and certainly agree that to bring a little music into our lives, especially at times like these, is a wonderful thing. Please keep up the good work and we will try to do our small part in making our thoughts known about the world situation. We leave Florida for our home in New Jersey in just about two weeks and hope to "search you out" next season when we return. Our best to you, Helen & Hal |
also Tuesday, March 18, 2003
I was interviewed today for an article in the Miami Herald by Howard Cohen, who was writing about the current controversy over musicians speaking out against the war. Howard asked me if I thought musicians should shut up and leave the politics to the politicians. I said I felt that rather than trying to get input from less people, we should be getting opinions from more - from everyone! This is a democracy after all. Musicians are privileged to have the opportunity to speak in public, and I think those who choose to should use that opportunity, as long as we speak honestly.
The thing I felt especially good about is that I suggested to Howard that he contact my friend and colleague Jim Camacho, formerly of The Goods, one of my all-time favorite bands. I love and respect Jim, but have discovered (to my surprise) that he is in favor of the war. We've communicated about this and agreed to disagree, and to stay friends with mutual respect. Not all of my communication with others who are in favor of the war has been so civilized, which saddens me. But I felt great to be able to suggest to Howard that he include Jim in the article, and although for some reason Jim's comments didn't end up in the piece, Howard did contact him.
If you want to read the article, click here. I was pretty excited to be in there along with folks from Fleetwood Mac, the Dixie Chicks and such. For some reason though, they decided to use Madonna's picture with the article instead of mine. Go figure!
March, 2003
Here's a cool story from the wire services:
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A Belgian mayor has set up a Department of Tenderness to encourage people to be nicer to each other. Kruibeke mayor Antoine Denert, who allocates civic duties, said he would make it his personal responsibility. "People don't cuddle anymore and that's the reason why there are so many conflicts," he told Het Laatste Nieuws. "I will set an example and start in my own village by caressing, cuddling and kissing as many people as possible." Mr Denert said he hoped national and international institutes would follow his example. "Why not change the Ministry of Defence into the Ministry of Tenderness. The war in Iraq would never have started," he added. |
Sunday, March 30, 2003
Today I'm noticing several small but interesting signs of the way we are all connected. This morning I played at the Interfaith Sunday Celebration hosted by Gay Lynn and David at LifeWorks, and near the end of the service I planned to play the song From a Distance. I introduced the song and started playing, and after a verse realized I had started playing a different song - From This Moment - instead! Everyone encouraged me to continue with that song, so I went ahead and finished playing the song. I was trying to figure out why I played a different song than the one I was thinking of, and the two songs do start with a very similar melodic phrase. But after the service I found out that From This Moment was Gay Lynn and David's wedding song! It was as if I had just picked up the song from their thoughts. Which makes perfect sense to me. I often find the idea of playing a song comes to me, and after I play it someone in the room tells me that it's their favorite song.
After the service, I had something to leave for my friend Liz, who has a mail slot there. I put it in an envelope and wrote Liz's name on the front, then drew a heart around her name. When I put the envelope in her mail slot, there was another envelope in there addressed with her name with a heart drawn around it! A very similar heart at that, with a curly little tail on the bottom, just like mine. Another coincidence? Perhaps....
And last night I was at a birthday party for my dear friend Karen, and wouldn't you know it , another friend gave Karen a card which had a message printed on it that was very similar to what I had written on the card I gave her, a message highlighting vision and focus.
Maybe just another coincidence! And yet it feels to me like these are significant expressions of onemindedness, the fact that we are all one. David's message at the service today was all about this, about the physics of non-local consciousness, and how scientists are discovering more and more all the time just how connected we all really are, that this is not just some idealistic spiritual concept. So I feel that I'm being shown how my thoughts are very much connected to the thoughts of others. And I feel this is a big part of the basis of my 51 Nightingales project, both the reason for it and the way it will help bring peace.
Today I also saw the first casualties list in the paper - it was long, running all the way down the column from the top to the bottom of the page. That made me feel very sad, to see the names of all these people who didn't have to die....
