For those who celebrate, the Advent season begins on the first Sunday in December and ends on Christmas Eve, the last Sunday before Christmas this year. Advent is a season of waiting and expectations for Christmas, observed by most Christian denominations.
Many rituals and liturgical celebrations recognize the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
As I researched theme ideas for Sunday Stills for December, I came across a post I wrote in December 2015. Like then, and now in 2023, we are, once again, waiting for peace and praying for our world.
In 2015, we read about the November 13 rampage in Paris which killed 130 people. Among other newsworthy events that year, Donald Trump was vying for the US presidency, racial unrest was sadly at the forefront, and migrants poured into Europe to escape war-torn Syria and Afghanistan.
The idea of peace was a distant memory in 2015. Fast forward to 2023…nothing has changed except the names, situations, and countries. Although my blog is not the forum to discuss the current issues in our war-torn world, I felt compelled to remind readers that we WILL continue to wait for peace.
I’ve included a few comments from bloggers who shared their thoughts on peace in the 2015 post:
“Call it Diwali, Advent, Hanukkah, this is a time of year where we all light our candles to spread the lights and pray for peace. I agree with you, there is not much we can practically do, but hoping, spreading love and practicing compassion for ourselves first and for the rest of the world is already a step in the right direction to me.” ~ Estelea
“I don’t think we can ever give up hope of finding peace. Although it might be decades or even longer, we have to believe that it is possible.” ~ Edwina
“We all hope and pray for peace. With all the terrorism and other violent events in this world we wonder if it will ever happen. Probably not in our lifetime or in our children’s lifetime. Even so, I think it is important that we live our lives in spreading peace, love, and goodwill.” ~ PJ
Apply these comments to today and they still ring true.
Seeking Inner Peace
Perhaps we can only control our tiny part of the world. But inner peace is attainable to everyone, even during the frenetic holiday season. How can we find peace now?
Sources remind us to:
Be still. And put your mobile device aside.
Refresh your mind and spirit by setting aside time to read, journal, think, or nap.
Play your favorite music and simply abide by the words and melodies. (Best instrumental holiday song ever!)
Go outdoors, take a walk, and breathe in nature through your lungs and eyes.
Rethink your “to-do” list and try to let your “should-do” list go for now. Why shop when I can see bald eagles at Lake Coeur D’Alene, Idaho?
Will You Still Need Me When I’m 64?
December 4th is my 64th birthday. 🎂 I am embracing this year as I look forward to the “magic” age of 65 when Medicare kicks in. As I continue through my mid-60s, I am reminded of the cherished friendships I have with you all.
We in the blogging community have inspired each other, and I have personally made lifelong friendships with many bloggers in real life and online.
Through blogging, I have met countless men and women who are writers, self-published authors, photographers, fitness experts, and artists. You are all inspiring folks whom I respect and admire. Photographers challenge me to grow and stretch my skills with the lens; writers and authors churn out amazing books, which pushes me to take stock of my own writing skills. I follow many bloggers who share their experiences in leisure, fitness, fine arts, and travel, and I am continually inspired by YOUR expertise and stories.
As I peacefully reflect on my good fortune to know you all, I wholeheartedly look forward to embracing inner peace and continuing relationships with you.
Inspiring Photo Challenges
Each week I find inspiration from my fellow bloggers’ photo challenges. I enjoy incorporating these into my Sunday Stills weekly themes.
- BushBoy’s Last on the Card
- Johnbo’s CellPic Sunday
- Jo’s Monday Walk
- Marsha’s Wednesday Quotes: Creative/Writer’s Choice
How To Participate in Sunday Stills Photo Challenge
The Sunday Stills weekly-themed photo challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post.
- Remember to title your blog post a little differently than mine.
- Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post.
- I also recommend adding your post’s URL to the comments.
This Week’s Featured Bloggers
Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers, poets, artists, and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below are this week’s links from bloggers who shared their photos that invoke PEACE. I add these all week as new links are posted.
- YOUR BLOG’S NAME GOES HERE…
- Always Write
- Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
- The Day After
- A Day In the Life
- Deb’s World
- The Doglady’s Den
- Equipoise Life Image shared in comments
- Frost on the Moose Dung
- Geriatrix Fotogallery
- Hugh’s Views and News Image shared in comments
- Kamerapromenader
- Loving Life
- In Primo Piano–Photos
- Quaint Revival
- Stevie Turner
- Tofino Photography
- This is Another Story
- Travel with Me
- Walkin’ Writin’ Wit and Whimsy
I will leave you with this image and last thoughts:
“But indeed, the holidays are a time of eager anticipation! May peace, hope, joy, and love reign this holiday season and always!” ~Lia
Tell me, what brings you peace? Share your ideas in original images, poems, music, short stories, and more! Next Sunday is the red/green monthly color challenge. Have a peaceful week!
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