 (Sky’s DUP newsletter, 7 June 2019)Peacemaking is the act of bringing everyone into the circle, everyone held in the cupped hands of love and compassion. Sometimes the acts are huge and newsworthy; other times they are small acts of kindness and recognition. How do we, in our Dance community, make these actions? How do we become aware that this is what we are doing to bring Peace to the world? Here are a few examples. When Celia, a beloved long-time Dancer in Paonia, CO, was dying last year, members of the community rallied around her, making sure that she had food she could eat, that her needs and obligations were taken care of, and that she was never alone in her house. Schedules were created, shopping was done, conversations were had, laughter and tears were shared. Celia, held in the hands of the community, was able to drift away with grace. A couple, two long-time attendees at our camps, was not with us at the Canyonlands Camp in the spring, because she had had knee surgery earlier that same week and he was taking care of her. A friend brought get-well cards and left them on the table for us to write messages of love and healing in, and reminded us several times during the retreat to do that. Though they were not with us in body, by the friend’s actions, they were remembered and included in spirit, drawn back into the circle, held in the cupped hands of love. Sky writes, “One night during the last camp, I was feeling tired and strained, so I sat out a Dance. A Dancer came up and sat next to me, and asked, ‘May I work on your head and neck? You look stressed.’ Because I trust this person, I assented. After ten minutes of exquisite and gentle massage, I felt totally refreshed and renewed, ready to rejoin the circle, a recipient of love and caring that drew me back in.” A few small things, yes, but in these ways we bring everyone into the cupped hands, everyone part of the whole, no one left out. With these articles, our intent is to bring Peacemaking actions into consciousness by sharing accounts of our own actions or those of others in our Dance community – how are we dedicated to Peacemaking? If you have stories you would like shared, please send them to Sky Roshay, skyness54@gmail.com If the stories are of others’ actions, please get their permission before sending, whether or not you use their names in the article. |
VIGNETTES OF PEACEMAKING IN OUR BELOVED COMMUNITY
