The Treasure Hunt: In Search Of "Awe"

If you’ve been reading my blog postings, you might, by now, be attempting to figure out how "we" do it?

How, precisely, does the Small “Zones Of Peace” Project work to build small zones of peace, thinking globally, acting locally?

Taking that question a step further, how do we create -- actually -- co-create “awe”?

We have been known to do exactly that!

I promise you, however, you will not easily be able to “nail” it down. "Awe" is a mystery.

And, one you have the capacity to help co-create. I promise you that too!

This blog and “Anastasia The Storyteller” are filled with clues that help explain our methodology.

If you read them -- more than that -- study them, they will help you begin putting together the pieces of a puzzle.

A definitive formula is embedded in the puzzle, when revealed by these pieces being linked together has - and can continue - to inspire and save lives!

The picture that will show up is the sum total - and more - of the various articles and their significance that have already been written and posted on these two blogs.

The clues to how the Small "Zones Of Peace" Project model works to help co-create "awe" are lurking everywhere on the two blogs.

They are the key elements that merge together to make our program work!

The trick is, however, that not only do you need to find the clues and fit them together into some kind of pattern in your own mind, but then we need to talk!  Create meaningful dialogue.

Our process cannot work without that. At least not very far.

The Small “Zones of Peace” Project is powerful!

It is profound! It can co-create magic, wonder and awe with “exceptional leaders.”

If you fancy yourself one of these, see what you can figure out and write me.

Let's talk about it.

We need to talk -- and -- take the necessary, next steps on our peace-building journey as soon as we can.

Time is of the essence!

Below are listed some of the key background stories that depict the success of our model.

You will find ongoing stories about these on our various blogs.

Look for clues in the labels section on our Home Page.

They will be the clues we offer you to begin building your small "zones of peace."

See if you can fit them together with what you know inside yourself and "see" around you.

If you are able to "see" what I "see," you on your way to being an "exceptional leader" who is able to help foster "exceptional communities."

Exceptional leaders help pave the way to making "violence obsolete" -- someday!

Someday will surely come -- someday -- whether you are ready for it or not.

Do what you can to help it be the "someday" you would like there to be.

Here are some clues with which you can begin.

Read and re-read the following articles. And, think things through that are suggested in them.

1. "The Middle East Crisis In My Backyard"
2. Articles on "identity" on Anastasia The Storyteller
3. Articles and links about Murat Yagan

Then ask yourself, "What is Anastasia saying here?
And, why does she think this stuff is so very important?"

These are your clues for now.

There will be more.

You will have to pay careful attention, if you want to solve the mystery, the mystery of how to build small zones of peace -- and -- create "awe" in your life.

Thinking Global, Acting Local

Yesterday our "Conversations Curriculum Development Task Force" met for the first time in a long while. Our last completed assignment, the “Saving Centennial Mission” wound down a number of months ago. We have since been primarily focused on our Habitat For Healing Remodeling Project, getting our New Horizons' Harpers Ferry Retreat Center office set up and operating once again and for me personally, regaining the joys of country living.

Developing and activating our two interconnected blog sites have also been major endeavors of the past several months. I hope, by now, that this one as well as my personal site, “Anastasia The Storyteller,” are beginning to offer something of value to visitors. If you like what we have been providing, most of the thanks goes to our board member, Lisa Boyer. She is responsible for developing both blogs. Lisa has, not only, managed the intricacies of designing them, but has been ever present in creating their “eye” appeal. If you like our “style,” it is almost pure Lisa!

As far as our main program goes, "Coffee House Conversations," we have not simply been living off our laurels. Yet, the project at Centennial Memorial United Methodist certainly spoiled us somewhat. For that project we got to use almost every single thing we have in our peace-building bag of tricks. It was such a multi-faceted, fulfilling project that I haven’t quite assimilated all that I/we've learned from the “awe” the Small "Zones Of Peace" Conversations Team co-created with that congregation or the great progress for the congregation that emerged out of the effort.

Where could we hope to be assigned next to replicate what we accomplished there? The rewards a memorable success brings; mission accomplished, the sense of a job well-done – and – the shared recognition that an experience of note has occurred are a “tough act to follow. Nonetheless, now we are beginning to plan and “rehearse” for our next “Conversations” program. It, too, will bring rewards, but of a slightly different variety.

For one thing, our next program will be with an international group. (While the Centennial project was completely local it was no less important .) Our upcoming project will be “Conflict Resolution & Anger Management #101.” Here again, storytelling within our “Coffee House Conversations” format will take center stage. In our experience, nothing surpasses the impact of “storytelling” when it comes to breaking through the barriers diversity can create. Again we will be presenting this program, which seems to be developing into an annual tradition, for the UNESCO Center of Peace Model UN Summer Camp (Friday, July 23, 2010).

This will be our third presentation of the program for this organization. Once again, as we did on a local level for the Centennial Memorial United Methodist Church, we are set to achieve our goals; community development, global or local, through conversations that feature storytelling. With global intent or a local focus, people finding a path to one another through the sharing of personal stories accomplishes more, at times, than all the theory and rhetoric combined.

From Anastasia in the mountains, Where, unfortunately on this hot July day, our abundance of trees are unable to successfully work out a healthy relationship with the humidity.

"How" New Horizons Builds Small "Zones Of Peace"

If you were intent on building a small zone of peace,

"What" would you do?

“How” would you do it?

Brittany’s first prize winning comments about “what” a small “zone of peace” is are worth remembering (see our last posting). 

The first part of Brittany’s formula has to do with knowing how to take responsibility for one’s own anger and transform it within oneself into a state of peace. The second part implies that two people, both being similarly responsible in this way, can be together in a shared space – and – maintain a state of peace. 

 Having spent some time with Brittany when we were conducting our 2006 art and essay contest, I feel assured that her “what” is a deep part of her. So much so that I believe that her “inner knowing” about building zones of peace has led her to seek out the “how.” 

(She was, after all, only eleven when last we met. Just beginning to explore the challenges of local and global peace.) 

 The “how” of building zones of peace moves outward from peace within to a peace that is shared -- with all living beings; people, animals, the elements of nature and the environment. 

 Brittany’s “what” is a great starting point for the adventure of any small zones of peace building project. 

We still, however, have a daunting task ahead of us to –

• Know the day-to-day “how” of building small zones of peace, and;
• Develop skill in maintaining these small zones of peace, once constructed.

Shared values (like-mindedness) and cooperation with others help us build foundations for a healthy community life. Groups of individuals that develop beyond these foundations into actually growing community life can become zones of peace when they, also, have:

1. Sustainable practices for resolving conflict between members; and
2. Skill at creating elegant solutions for solving the problems that arise in conflict areas.

At New Horizons -- we call individuals who function in this way – exceptional leaders. 

We call groups that function in this manner – exceptional communities. The New Horizons’ Small “Zones Of Peace” Project has created an intriguing model for training and empowering exceptional leaders (in our model "followers" are also demonstrating a kind of leadership) and developing exceptional communities. 

Our community development model and our personal commitments to functioning, individually and collectively, in this fashion are “how” we build small “zones of peace.”

Think about it -- the "what" (of your vision) and the "how" (of your method) for building zones of peace. At least building small ones by thinking globally, acting locally, minute-by-minute. Nothing necessarily grand. Just "being" the peace you wish there to be. 

Imagine! 

What more could you do today to build zones of peace everywhere you go? 

And how can you achieve this, day-by-day? Today, more than yesterday. 

Tomorrow, more than today. 

Send me your visions and viewpoints at zonesofpeacenh@aol.com. 

Maybe it's even time for us to consider plans for our another art and essay contest. 

You might be our next first prize winner!

A Small "Zone Of Peace" Can Be Anywhere

Mahatma Gandhi suggested -- "We do best to begin by carving out territories or zones of peace in our personal relations where violence and deceit won't be used." We asked kids, K -- 5 to tell us what this quote of Gandhi's meant to them. Brittany Wilson, a fifth grader and first prize winner in our Small "Zones Of Peace" Art And Essay Contest, told us her view.

"I believe this quote to mean metaphorically that if you are angry, you could find a quiet place in (your) mind. In reality, it could mean that if two friends live near each other, and there was a park that was close to both of them, they could call the park a zone of peace."

The contest Brittany won first prize in was in 2006, I have never yet come upon a better, more succinct meaning. At least, not for the goals of the New Horizons Small "Zones Of Peace" Project. Anastasia From the mountains where I am endeavoring to build a small "zone of peace" with the ants that are attacking my hummingbird feeder.

Visiting Paul Kellett, a small “zones of peace” building mission

I barely know from day-to-day where our mission to build small “zones of peace” will take me/us next. Where it took Sue and I yesterday was a mostly gentle adventure worth sharing. “I want you to go see Paul Kellett with me one day this week,” Sue had suggested earlier. We made our plan, finally getting it together to show up there on Friday afternoon. First off, I was treated to a beautiful, hour long drive through the Catoctin Mountains into Pennsylvania, east of Frederick (the New Horizons' Habitat For Healing is west of Frederick on the way to Charles Town, WV). Upon arrival at Paul’s, we were greeted with our next delight, a tour of Paul and Lizzie’s amazing home and land. The property overlooks a gorgeous valley and mountainside view. The surrounding main house and buildings have either been remodeled or built mostly by hand by Paul and his helpers. The materials accumulated by him come from his many regular visits to “The Church of Holy Junk.” The whole of what they have created is awesome. Then, it was time for conversation. If you have noted anything much yet about how we foster our small “zones of peace” mission, you have no doubt realized that community (community meaning a group of any size, more than the two) conversation is a huge part of how we proceed. Give Sue and I any opportunity at all for conversations on peace-building and how we can achieve that end and we are ready to go. From church or synagogue board members to the local police chief or peace activists, from coffee shops to meeting podiums, we are, metaphorically, always dressed and eager for the next conversation. We simply love it! And we seem able, even adept, at encouraging the dialogue with others who are of like-mind; making peace a reality, thinking globally, acting locally. With Paul, we had an invigorating mental and verbal workout. And, I learned a few tips about how I can polish up my word skills to enhance the cause, helping conversation move from “snags to synergy.” (“Snags to Synergy” is topic number three in our “Coffee House Conversations Series” which I will be telling you about in future postings.) The grand finale of the day was donations galore from Paul to our Habitat For Healing Remodeling Project. We came away with Sue’s car trunk and back seat filled to capacity and a promise of being able to make a return trip for more after we update our next “Wish List.” Even a truckload of stuff if we want. What a day! Thank you so much Paul Kellett!

How the Small "Zones Of Peace" Project Began

I had a vision twelve years ago after I lost my eyesight. The vision came to me as a result of meeting a remarkable man, Murat Yagan, and the message he carried with him that shaped what has, now, become New Horizons Small "Small" Zones of Peace Project.

(Visit the web site of "old" New Horizons for a press release on this story. And, visit Anastasia, The Storyteller to find further background history articles on the story of how that vision became the Small "Zones Of Peace" Project.)

Briefly, the story is that prior to my going blind I had been a psychotherapist specializing in doing therapeutic community work to treat relationship and personality addictions. If I could ever regain my ability to work again, after having lost my eyesight, I vowed I would take the therapeutic community model I had developed, as a therapist, and apply it to creating small “zones of peace” within healthy, mainstream populations.

My area of focus would be colleges and universities, intentional communities and neighborhoods. Making "violence obsolete" would be the goal beginning on the most accessibl small group level such as campus dorms.

I don't presently recall which steps preceded which actions, chronologically, of what would become this project as it is today. However, I do know that meeting Murat Yagan and being guided by him shaped that vision into the elegant model that it is.

How can you beat the inspiring teachings of an ancient community-oriented culture whose stories still endure and are more relevant than ever, after 26,000 years?

And, a teacher such as Murat who in 2002 received Abkhazia's highest cultural award, the medal of Honour and Glory?)

When I began to work again in 2003 (it took me until 2006 to be able to fully return to work), my first target project was at Shepherd College (now Shepherd University) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

That project was an initiative that focused attention on campus-wide "subtle violence" among students. It particularly addressed multi-cultural problems that were plaguing Shepherd at the time. It was not, however, until 2006 that the small “zones of peace” vision actually began to take hold.

An unexpected situation arose at that time. My role as the local president of a national Jewish women’s organization placed me in the center of a local Jewish/Muslim controversy. With the support of my volunteer team that was already developing at that time, we worked behind the scenes to reconcile the conflict.

Today, that same volunteer team is growing. We have to date successfully contributed to other local issues of polarization. We have also conducted conflict resolution and anger management training for the UNESCO Center For Peace model United Nations camp for the past few years.

Now, I am back to work and back to writing, my real love – and -- we are looking forward to expanding our elegant community development and conversations model into regional and national activities.

Anastasia
From the mountain where it is raining today

Volunteer Opportunities

The Small “Zones of Peace” Project Core Volunteer Team builds the glow that synergy produces by selecting volunteers who are like-minded about certain values. Some of the values or character attributes we pay most attention to include – Compassion for oneself and others, the ability to be grateful and show it, patience, kindness, accountability, altruism (an attitude of "one for all and all for one"), generosity, good manners, skillful management of anger, sincerity and straightforwardness. We are looking for people who value these qualities in themselves and others enough to keep expanding their development. Continuing to develop these in oneself – and – holding them in esteem in our relationships are essential building blocks of small “zones of peace.” Not everyone chooses to qualify. It truly is a choice each one of us can make. If you are interested in becoming a Small “Zones Of Peace” Project Core Volunteer, the following positions are presently available. If you would like to join our volunteer team and have an idea for your participation that is not listed, please be sure to suggest it. Creative suggestions are a welcome contribution that we will gratefully consider. The following volunteer positions are presently open:

1. Assistant to aid me, Anastasia, in developing and managing a volunteer corp and fundraising projects. Minimum of four hours per week are needed. Position is long-term. May include bi-weekly meetings. A qualified assistant should have experience with online networking and some experience with Excel. Good organization and phone skills are essential. Majority of work can be done from home.
2. Community outreach project volunteers
3. Conversation facilitators for UNESCO Center of Peace, model United Nations Camp, July. (Minimum of six -- eight training sessions).

If interested email: zonesofpeacenh@aol.com

Each of our volunteers is encouraged to participate in Small "Zones Of Peace” training. We invite you to learn how to create “zones of peace” everywhere you go, using our community development and violence prevention model.