BIG GOOD NEWS: New Horizons Board Launches New Non-Profit, Small "Zones of Peace" Inc.

This is such a big WOW for me and for the New Horizons Support Network, Inc.!  OMG!! So exciting!

While I was away fighting for the life of my right eye, my Beloved New Horizons Board of Directors team was not only supporting me through my ordeals but was also moving our  programs and projects ahead.  

Some of that motion was going in to establishing a second non-profit 501 C (3) organization, Small "Zones Of Peace" Inc., as the offspring of our original New Horizons.

Yippee!

As you can see from the graphic below, we had already been declaring Small "Zones Of Peace"(ZOP)  to be the main initiative/"project" of New Horizons. However, as it turned out, ZOP needed more space for "herself" for growing. 

So we made her into her own legal status.

We want to tell you all about our new girl. 

There is quite a lot to say as we have been developing what is to now take shape within two non-profits. I'm going to be telling you as much about the happenings as I can at this point with much still to be determined at this early stage.

However, I still tire easily these days having had, not only one emergency surgery,  November 21, but an earlier one on October 19, so please grant me your patience with this unfolding tale I have for you about what's happening now at New Horizons/Small "Zones Of Peace and what lies ahead.

FAQ: What will the Small "Zones Of Peace" Inc. (ZOP) focus attention on?

Q What will the Small Small "Zones Of Peace" Inc. (ZOP) focus attention on?

A The main areas of operation of ZOP, initially will include: 

• The management and directing of the Truth Or Dare Movement and all its many projects such as our current developing efforts at Hood College and nearby Frederick, Maryland;
• Getting signed "Expanded" Pro-Truth Pledges;
• Fundraising which will soon include a New Horizons/ZOP ebay store and, of course, paypal access for items we will be selling such as my updated Surviving Addictions manuscript, working title Surviving The U.S.A., Circa 2020;
• Super Sleuth'd Coaching and Consulting with Anastasia

Beautiful!  With lots more in the works.

We hope and pray as we strive, increasingly, intent on our penultimate goal, New Horizons/ZOP Truth Or Dare Movement: Destination Capitol Hill, .... tba,

FAQ: What will now be the focus of attention at New Horizons?

Q What will now be the focus of attention at New Horizons?

A New Horizons will continue developing and presenting interactive programs such as our very successful Coffee House Conversations format and our various other community support group programs, with the exception of support groups and any other programs, educational or otherwise, related to the New Horizons/ZOP Truth Or Dare GAME and/or most Truth Or Dare Movement programs.

FAQ: What are the immediate future plans for New Horizons/ZOP

Q What does this mean for New Horizons/ZOP Truth Or Dare Movement: Destination Capitol Hill?

A We haven't got our full blueprint yet, nor will we ever all on our own. That's why we need you to help us develop our project design and begin putting it into motion! 

We do know, however, that most, if not all, Truth Or Dare Movement projects and programs will be transitioned over to the direction and management of ZOP.

More to come!

Moving Into Action: Truth-Telling And Truth-Listening In Motion

Links coming soon.

This is an exciting time at New Horizons. For most of the past month, we've been gearing up to roll out a pathway for ourselves that promises to enable us, optimally, to continue our local and regional Small “Zones of Peace” building efforts – and – yet allows us to, immediately, join with like-minded others in a global collaborative undertaking.

How inspiring is that?!!

Enter the Pro-Truth Pledge Movement. We are so glad we found you!

With our commitment to New Horizons Truth Or Dare GAME as our centerfold project, merging perfectly with its outgrowth, our still-on-the-drawing board Truth Or Dare Movement, now incorporating our involvement with the “original” Pro-Truth Pledge and our New Horizons “expanded” version of it, to round out our emerging blueprint, we are beginning, as May comes to its end, to see a shape forming from three main strands: 

1. New Horizons Truth Or Dare GAME; 

2. Our own Truth Or Dare Movement; and 

3. Interweaving #1 and #2 with the Pro-Truth Pledge, “original” global movement with our “expanded”  -- and more personal and local version, rising to the top as priorities.

These pieces, coming together and starting to flow forward, smoothly, are a rather challenging endeavor for us, in terms of doing it all with ease, especially in the short span of time we have been working with these three as interlocking elements. 

For example, back in January we were already talking lots about our Truth Or Dare GAME. 

That was a relatively easy undertaking for us to move with as our present Truth Or Dare GAME is a new incarnation of our earlier signature program, the Discount Derby, circa 1976!

Additionally, the vision we were in the process of developing, at that point, had no far-reaching goal beyond Capitol Hill. 

Well, of course, even considering Capitol Hill as a destination is a bit grand!

Still it is, location-wise, in our neighborhood, more or less And home base, in an earlier era, for our Executive Director, Me, Anastasia.

Now, however, we are tapping into, through signing on with the Pro-Truth Pledge Movement, an opportunity to imagine taking even our very own Truth or Dare GAME worldwide. 

Why not?  If that's what we want, though I doubt that it is!

We are pretty much "Think global, act local" folks.

With all these happenings in motion, along with a few upsets along the way, the past few months, such as my March auto accident that totaled a rental car and a few minor injuries for me, we are rising to the occasion, nonetheless. And we want to keep you updated as much as we can.

The way we see our priorities unfolding, between now and our annual board meeting, scheduled for mid-July, as usual, is this….

New Horizons Truth Or Dare GAME – will continue on, as has become our practice, playing a short-version GAME, monthly, by phone, for now, with periodic support groups, also by phone.

We have been delightfully surprised how well this is working out. 

Who would've thought it?

As we expand our newly, revitalized GAME, we will, again, be planning for weekend retreat programs. 

How will we expand and incorporate both phone and face time participants? We don’t yet know. But we do trust we will make it happen.

Truth Or Dare GAME Objectives: 

Refine and support truth-telling, truth-listening as leadership skills for New Horizons Board Members, as well as for new, invited players beyond our present board of six members.

Utilize our Truth Or Dare GAME playing to aid each participants decluttering of dark areas in themselves, their lives and relationships so that each is functioning at optimum levels, personally and professionally.

Develop and enhance our individual and collective GAME playing skills so as to be exceptional truth-telling, truth-listening role models.

New Horizons Truth Or Dare Movement Objectives

For the time being, our objectives here are intended to be limited to –

Conversing with anyone and everyone we can about the importance of truth-telling and truth-listening as an every day, personal practice;

Developing and presenting Truth Or Dare GAME training seminars.

The Pro-Truth Pledge, “original” and “expanded”

Doing our best to obtain the one-thousand signatures we have committed ourselves to for the Pro-Truth Pledge, “original” or “expanded.

Educating others on how the Pro-Truth Pledge can help each of us, as concerned citizens to better our selves, our families, our neighborhoods, our communities, our states and our nation.

Readers, this update is only the tip of the iceberg as to what is unfolding these days at New Horizons. So keep checking in here for updates.  

And, contacting, me, Anastasia, to get yourself, personally, on board on what’s happening now!

I can be reached at: MountainWomanRJ@aol.com

Draining The Swamp: How We Do It At New Horizons

Wondering how New Horizons is going to carry out its mission?

See this post for an update on this project.

(The magic of our approach is that it is multi-tiered, meaning that it is a bottom up rather than top down method that aims to impact all levels of systemic functioning. This means we pay attention to the “swamp” closest in to us as well that way beyond our capacity to affect it directly. How this systemic tactic can carry influence on all levels requires close examination. We will be taking this exploration on as we develop and expand our mission.)

Our basic formula is simple; commit to doing more and more of the good things to do and less and less of the not so good. How to apply it, in real time, is hard; so hard that only the truly committed and resilient person can even attempt it.

Here are a few of the personal character attributes needed -- 

1. Commitment to living by high-minded human principles;
2. Character traits of integrity, straightforwardness, being without hidden agendas, honesty, an unrelenting openness to learning and more;
3. A belief in the great potential for human advancement;

Here is a sample of what our formula entails.

1. Commitment to a “what to do” program (See this link. Also see this link for a whole, wide-range of articles on the "what to do" track.).  Each and every day, doing the best you can to develop these human attributes to their capacity that are typically undeveloped;
2. Commitment to a “what not to do” program (see this link) Each and every day, taking a daily inventory of how you have done that day for #1 and #2;
3. Meeting, preferably weekly, or at least monthly, with a group of similarly committed individuals in a group setting for the purposes of supporting one another. (This step includes giving honest, sometimes uncomfortable feedback on each person’s progress while maintaining a caring, safe environment.);
4. Commitment to personally ascending as high as you are capable of doing. (See Murat’s Ahmsta Kebzeh: The Universal Science of Awe, Books I and II for an in depth discussion and guidance on this topic.)

Number three, immediately above, is almost going in the direction of New Horizons “Draining The Swamp GAME” which takes much preparation and practices to gain eligibility into. Will you be ready?

More on this later.

Since yesterday’s announcement of our GAME, we have already started taking applications for our "Draining The Swamp GAME" which you will, most likely, want to play. And we will tell you how and where as this new project unfolds and develops. Will you be ready?

Beyond Adversarialism: The Art of Leaning In

A man I admire greatly invited Sue and myself to assist him with a relationship problem he was having with his wife. Thus we all came together; Sue, her husband, Paul, the man and his wife and myself, for a meeting expressly held for this purpose; relationship healing and development (i.e. making peace and building cooperation and unity in the relationship).

We all put forth our best at our gathering. I have no doubt of this. And, at the time it seemed that we made some notable headway. Then it came apart, not long after. 

The scenario that emerged reminded me of our president and congress; polarization that just gets worse, word by word.

Is this excellence in
human affairs?
If not, why not?

Taking a break from the heat being generated, I asked myself, once again, as I often do these days when events of this nature arise –

How is it that so many people, even the seemingly wise and wonderful, say they want the success of peace, unity and  well-being for all, but are so unable to attain it, especially in their most significant relationships?

A corollary question is:

How is that we can put a man on the moon and yet still manage to avoid having peace and harmony in our homes and communities?

My answer has five main components, at least for today.

• Un or under-developed human attributes;
• Un or under-developed skill;
• Absence of vision (i.e. What does the possible human functioning at the best (in a possible world) look and act like? What is excellence in human affairs? Why do we settle for less?);
• Lack of determination;
• A commitment to win-win outcomes.

Question: What does the presence of these components look like when activated and put into motion?

Answer:

• ·         The art of leaning in (i.e. Art = Olympic Gold such as in pairs figure skating);
• ·         Honoring process versus content;
•           Thinking outside the box; seeking win-win outcomes/elegant solutions;
• ·         Overcomingpolarization.

More to come.

By The Stream

The Bus Ride Story Adventure and the Chinese menu

By the side of Sue (and Paul’s) gently burbling trout stream, we spread out our notes, handout papers and chairs. An old stone wall behind us serves as a teachers’ desk while a great maple tree canopy shades us from the hot midday sun. The setting is picture perfect and we are well-prepared to offer our personal best.

Be in the flow with us.

This day, again, our Bus Ride Story Adventure moves forward, heading in the right direction, strengthened personal and communal well-being, with Sue and I certain we will sparkle this day as we have done many times before.

So we set ourselves, optimistically and energetically, out on our course, presenting our program to a generously attentive audience. Still we do not sparkle, we do not shine. We have a well-worn map to the magic kingdom. We have traveled there many times before. But we have no magic wand to materialize it before us this day, not quite yet with our typical shine this day.

The right elements we have come to depend upon for our usual successes are served up. However, they don’t quite come together and crystallize into fairy dust as they have before. Somehow they are not yet arranged to best advantage. So we come off a bit like a feast with too much to eat.

I am the chef and I, too, leave hungry though still happy and satisfied, knowing that something delicious has been imbibed although there was more that we wanted. Having access to the menu as well as each ingredient, in a day or two I will know what is missing. As insight comes, I realize we have served up something, a bit like an all you can eat Chinese buffet.

Hungry as we finish, we have had our feast yet still yearn for more without knowing what else it was that we want. By Tuesday, our regular weekly meeting day, Sue and I, are already .planning for our next feast, having discovered some of our missing ingredients

We set off last Sunday on rehearsal day #3, discovering, as we progressed, that viable teachers, particularly in this day and age, must, first and foremost, always be as ready to learn as to teach. From the teaching position, we learned that the source of greatest fulfillment that we can offer, as taken from Murat’s translation of how exceptional communities function (see “Building Up A Kebzeh Community”), is to instruct our travelers on how to pack their travel bags with the essentials of exemplary human virtue and character.

Each time we present, we keep being vividly reminded of this; people are eager to find out what we know and can share to better ourselves as individuals and collectively. These essentials are the key. Our Possible Human, Possible Study findings, thus far, underscores the lesson:

How we treat one another on a day-to-day basis is the foundation of an exceptional community.

How starkly reminded we are of this as the most fundamental of principles. How difficult the application, the essentials, surprisingly, unclear to most, especially as a formula for systemic change, societally. (Read Murat’s original “Bus Ride Story”, as edited by Sue, to see the brilliance of how he presents this formula within the context of an imaginary “social game”, the Bus Ride adventure.)

Sue and I are priming ourselves to place our new Small “Zones of Peace” product, the Bus Ride Story Adventure, in the full public domain before long. However, for just a bit longer, we must linger in our semi-public preview, our rehearsal “public” made up of an audience of friends.

For now, who else can we count on to contribute the patience and generosity of their time, astute insights and caring respect for our still somewhat stumbling performance as we continue to polish our travel package? Charity – and exceptional community building begin at home.

The Pretender Peace Buddy Pod

There was an incident at the Abkhazian Dinner and several more that became the fallout from the original. I’ve been hedging about what occurred. It was not comfortable to publicly reveal what happened. I trust you will understand and, perhaps, be moved to examine your own actions in situations similar to what I did in this one.

But today I pledged to remove the masking I’ve been doing. I cannot do the revealing all at once. It will take time. But in the interest of preserving the integrity of New Horizons’ two main initiatives; the Possible Human, Possible Society Study and our Small “Zones of Peace Project, today I begin to come clean about my beating around the bush.

I thank you for your patience.

Please keep coming back to read what will be revealed here in the coming month ahead about our challenging incident that brought me to identify a pretender peace buddy pod in the midst of our Possible Human, Possible Society Study. I have pledged -- to myself and my board of directors -- to clean up my act in honor of our coming annual board meeting, scheduled this year for August 11 or 12 (tba.)

I will do my best to tell the story back and forth between our two blogs. And do it in the most compassionate way that I can. May the highest good be our reward.

Other Than Urgency, Other Than Enemies: The Possible Human, Possible Society

Of course the "silent majority" would be fed up with Washington.

There is a quality of life; a way of living, that for many of us is as close as an arm’s length reach away. You got to know it, “not about it,” but really know IT, because you lived it.

You took the kinds of risks to know IT you’d probably avoid now that you've grown up. Still you found out much about life because you risked the knowing, up close, right in the middle of the fray. Not at the impersonal more-than-arm’s-length of cyberspace. But up close with real people, face-to-face in all kinds of mud and muck.

Maybe the living of IT was almost fanciful. Maybe you were too young and immature to be aware of its illusory, even shadey aspects. Maybe because of a lack of maturity you didn’t catch on to the pitfalls. Sometimes they even hit you hard like a two-by-four over the head. But you did get to know IT, at least for awhile.

Eventually you opted to become a good student of life, rather than demanding so much of it. So you mellowed out, took the hard knocks and went on from there, sometimes sadder but wiser. Still somewhere deep inside you held onto your dreams, even after you were brutally awakened.  

If you were – and – still remain one of these students of life, one of the things you discovered on your journey through adult life was -- though you may have even been an ardent anti-government demonstrator of this and that and the other thing -- the democratic arrangements of our founding father make a whole lot of sense.

So you gave up demonstrating and making other kinds of a ruckus – and -- decided to become a voter, sometimes consistently, sometimes intermittently, deciding its better to work within the system rather than overthrow it.

Now, however, the government is demonstrating to overthrow you. You’ve grown to care about it, but it seems to be refusing to care about you.

So you shake your head and complain or sit quietly with your sorrow and loss. There are no leaders to count on. The values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness seem to be an almost impossible dream. Nonetheless, you have not given up hoping, nor decided to simply sit this one out on the sidelines..

However, while you seem to have grown up, your leaders do not, acting, at best, like bullies on a playground or superior know-it-alls; petty tyrants all. No real grown-ups with vision and spirit seem to be in charge or have much power to make things work well.

Not really one among them that you can count on to truly have a dream and the capability to carry it forth.

You see where you are today, wondering where did it all go.

What to do? What to do?

Coming soon: The Study Of The Possible Human, The Possible Society.

Offering what we can to gather and support the dream makers and dreams and help them become manifest with a passion for peace.

Still intent on getting it together on ground level – and – Climbing The Mountain Of Awe

For inquiries on how to participate in our "Possible Human, Possible Society" Study, contact Anastasia at: zonesofpeacenh@aol.com

Also, check out my “We Came For Camelot” stories on Anastasia The Storyteller.

A Passion For Truth Part I: What It Means To Be Without Guile

I have a story today (in two parts) on "guilelessness" that I've had on hold for awhile. I offer it now as it fits neatly in with my Anastasia The Storyteller article for today on "A Passion For Truth".

It is shared in honor of my New Horizons Small "Zones of Peace" Project right arm, Sue deVeer*, who is slowly but surely recovering from a recent (January, 2011) major, emergency surgery. First, the definition and some tips:

Guilelessness: Without hidden agendas, guile or cunning, especially deceitfulness. Ability to be straightforward in all situations and circumstances.

Tip #1: To build small “zones of peace” -- turn hidden agendas to the good by seeking a higher consciousness with yourself and others.

Tip #2: Read Abrahma Joshua Hescel's "A Passion For Truth" (discussed on Anastasia The Storyteller) for a beautiful, scholarly (Jewish) discourse on our very human challenges to find the balancing point between forthright honesty and compassion.

Tip #3: Create a conversation with those people you respect and trust (people who are a part of your developing small "zones of peace") on the subject of guilelessness.

Tip #4: Remember in your conversations that is ok to not be perfect about being "guileless." Just keep striving to do those fourteen building small "zones of peace' things (#4 of our Ten Pledges).

“My Sue” is a shining example of "guilelessness."

Some of her secrets are:

• Get all things on the table (i.e. the power of “naming”).
• Where differences exist – negotiate, keep on keeping on until you find that elegant solution* to your practical problems.
• Seek out and develop “peace buddies” – (peace buddies are people with whom to climb your Mountain of Awe).

* Sue is the “Curriculum Development Director of the New Horizons Small “Zones of Peace” Project and, obviously one of my best “peace buddies.” One of her areas of expertise is consensus building. She is the one who, among many of her other gifts to our organization, offered us the term “elegant solutions". Isn’t that elegant!

Part II, maybe tomorrow, weather permitting. Actually I will probably be away for a few days. But please come back soon. I will, too, with Part II. And, soon with another report on developments for our "Climbing The Mountain of Awe” GAME" which will have rehearsal #2 on Thursday afternoon.

Small "Zones Of Peace" -- The Ingredients

The essential materials for building small "zones of peace" already exist in each and everyone of us -- and in all those around us.

If we are willing to put these materials to work, they will build our personal zones of peace. With these zones to establish our foundations, we can build greater, solid, lasting structures -- peaceful territories.

Picture it this way:

You are a seed of peace.

Like a seed, you carry the potential for great beauty.

In full bloom, you are peace.

Peace is within you. And, in your blossoming.

You can bring the joy of that blossoming to everyone around you.

For thirty-five years the unique New Horizons GAME has been guiding participants to develop skills that advance their potentials, personally and collectively.

Our New Horizons signature approach has been offered through our Truth or Dare GAMES and support group programs (formerly the Discount Derby), now evolving into our new GAME.  

The Climbing The Mountain of Awe GAME

Though this process, New Horizons has empowered and transformed the lives of hundreds, even thousands of people over the past three and one-half decades.

We hope you will stay posted for new developments on this empowering, social transforming process, the New Horizons' GAME.

And, that you, too, will get on board to play our GAME when it is avaiable in your area.

Small “Zones Of Peace” – Our Goal And Our Mission

New Horizons’ Goal – Building Small “Zones of Peace” Everywhere! 

Our Mission – To educate and train residents of our local, regional, national and global communities to create Small “Zones Of Peace” wherever they go wherein violence will ultimately become obsolete as new modes of interacting take hold, generating loving kindness, compassion, generosity, humbleness, patience, altruism, courtesy, good temper, guilelessness, forgiveness, sincerity, courage and endurance in all of our relationships and with all life. Help support our mission with your purchase of Elegant Solutions LED Bulbs.

Light Your Path Into Peace!

One Elegant Solutions LED Bulb At A Time.

Pledge #4: Top 14 Things To Do/Be Daily ...

Pledge #4 – Pledge to actively (daily) work on developing (in yourself) the following fourteen top personal attributes for DOING and

BEing peace.... to be a true NH Small “Zones of Peace”-activist.

Top 14 Doing/Being Peace Attributes

(Feel free to add more of your own, if you like.)

• Altruism
• Compassion
• Courage
• Courtesy
• Forgiveness
• Generosity
• Good Temper
• Gratitude
• Guilelessness
• Humbleness
• Kindness
• Patience
• Perseverance
• Sincerity

Begin by thoroughly reading and following the links on our "Adventure Of A Lifetime" posting.

Our map, if you follow it, will get you to "Awe," I promise. Map originated by Murat Yagan.

From Anastasia

Snowed in up in the mountains.

Storm strong enough to uproot our old apple tree.

The Adventure Of A Lifetime

Wait -- just a minute before we move on to the next “what to do” pledges.

If you really want to get on board with the real New Horizons Small “Zones of Peace” Project approach, you really must take a look at what lies at our foundations.  You can read a synopsis of our essential message at -- Exploring Your Dark Side: The Adventure Of A Lifetime

New Horizons Small “Zones Of Peace” is a mighty project with strong roots going back to – of all places – Watergate -- and -- a prison rehab program. (Read Ken Windes’ story “Walking Through The Walls” to find out more about these powerful prison rehab roots.)

Most importantly for our purposes here is the -- “Where Is Your Compassionate Warrior Hiding” quiz (formerly titled the “Where Is Your Dark Side Hiding” quiz).

The quiz will give you a map as to where your Dark Side or saboteur -- the part of you that is vulnerable to allowing violence (even subtle violence) or deceit (even little white lies) to be used for coping with life’s stresses – is hiding.

Your snakey behaviors sabotage the peace that radiates from the inside to the outside of you. Come on! Admit it! We all have these coping strategies. If you own up to the convict, mean guy in you (my Dark Side is truly MALE, sorry guys), I promise you can have so much more fun in life.

Naughty ican be nice, if you know how to handle it -- and -- have appropriate parameters for it.

I am a competent guide into and through the terrain of the Dark Side because I have so much experience coming face-to-face with my own and transforming it.

For personal guidance on working through these challenging life obstacles, check out “Anastasia and The Adventure Of A Lifetime” to contact me.

These snakey behaviors are the parts of us that will – always -- sabotage our climbing to the peak (or even halfway up) of the Mountain of Awe. While you are exploring the quiz etc, take a visit to the other many hidden treasures you’ll find on this website on the old New Horizons (before Small “Zones of Peace” was introduced (2006). And, be sure to make a stop at our --

LED fundraising page --

where you can make a purchase to -- light up your life and

contribute to our growing efforts to create -- small “zones of peace”

everywhere.

The "What Not To Do" Pledge, #3

OK. OK. I get it.

I am communicating on a post doctoral level. And, you, my readers need me to convey my ideas on a #101 level.

Even my closest friends and family point this out to me. This limitation of mine is why you haven't heard from me for awhile. Is that a good excuse for not communicating?  Probably not?

Nonetheless, maturity and blindness took my words into the esoteric. Now, I'm having trouble communicating on a down-to-earth level.

Sorry. I haven’t got that problem worked out yet.

But I am working on it.

So, please, keep hangin' around here. Meanwhile, let me leave you with the following tip for Pledge #3 – (from Gandhi’s quote below).

Then we will move on (for awhile to more of the "what to do pledges.")

“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.” Mahatma Gandhi

Tip of the day for Pledge #3.

Ignoring darkness does not make it go away (in your self or in others).

I know this one first hand. Been through the FIRE.

Becoming aware of darkness in yourself and others and how it plays out in your close interpersonal relationships affords each one of us the opportunity to – Heal Darkness.

In fact, the singular best opportunity you will ever find!

The "old" New Horizons program became famous, if not infamous, for its adeptness at identifying and working to transform darkness in the individual and our original small “zones of peace” (i.e.therapeutic communities).

The name of our game – Truth or Dare!

Would you have the guts to play a game with a name such as this?

More on this later. Ok. So now we are going to leave our “what not to do pledge,” #3, and go on with more of what to do.

But we will come back to this Pledge #3, again and again. It won’t go away.

If you really want to be a genuine peace-builder, walking your walk, not just talking your talk, you’ve got to get this one down to your own particular science.

Top 14 things to do/be as a true peace activist. Coming next..

Subtle Violence -- Defined

Subtle violence = interactions such as power abuses, bullying and other interpersonal exchanges designed to hurt or control individuals and groups, emotionally and/or psychologically. Behaviors closest to violence and threats of violence.

*Subtle violence often includes discounting, denial and lying behaviors from perpetrators, often holding themselves to be blameless and even victims.

Subtle violence is not so subtle.. when you’re the target!

(Headline from “Subtle Violence” prevention campaign. Shepherd College, now Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 2003.)

*This is only the beginning of a very complex subject.  Discounting, lying and acts stemming from denial need to be explored, especially with their systematic implications.

A Small "Zone of Peace" Can Be Anywhere

With our first three pledges, we’ve laid down a foundation upon which to build our small “zones of peace.”

Pledges 1 -- 3

I Pledge –

1.To do my best everyday in everyway;

2.To take good care of myself;

3. To build zones of peace where violence and deceit won’t be used.

Now let's do some building to make that foundation strong and sturdy by digging more deeply into applications of these pledges.

Small “Zones Of Peace Action Step #3

I pledge to do my utmost, everyday in everyway, to keep my small “zones of peace” free of violence and deceit.

Tip of the day – "Subtle violence isn’t subtle when you are the target."

We’ve got to apply these action steps everyday in everyway. The BIG question is do we really know how?

Coming next, what is – “Subtle violence."

And, what does it mean to apply the principle that --

"Subtle violence isn’t subtle when you are the target."

Small "Zones Of Peace" Action Step #3

Small “Zones Of Peace Action Step (#3 0f 10):

I pledge to do my utmost, everyday in everyway, to keep my small “zones of peace” free of violence and deceit.

Mahatma Gandhi offered us the words below – “

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.”

As far as our Small “Zones Of Peace” Project is concerned this is the “Peace Action Step” that is the centerfold, the essence of peace-building. There is much to say about it. I've got stories -- and -- more stories. I hope you do too that you will be willing to share here.

This step is a whopper!

Built into it is all about climbing the Mountain of Awe and snakey behaviors; the light and the dark side of peace action for real.

Hearing what your comments and thoughts are about this pledge can make a difference in the impact our discussion here can have for real time peace building. Please be generous and share your stories.

How have you applied this action step to your life?

How has this pledge (added to our #1 and #2 Peace Action Steps) brought you to “elegant solutions” peace building in your life?

More to come...

What is peace?

-- if it is not the serenity, the stillness, the quiet in me that flows from me to you?

-- if it is not that same still place in you? -- if it is not this that multiplies again and again with others?

 What is peace, then; this, essentially, human quality called peace?


This holiday season, please help support our elegant solution fundraising campaign, (see our holiday LED specials) -- seeking ways to spread our light from one to another in small community settings – striving to create small “zones of peace” everywhere.



10% of the purchase price of Pearl LEDs
are donated to New Horizons projects.



Merry Christmas all,

From Anastasia

Small “Zones Of Peace Action Step #2

Pledge -- To make time, everyday, for personal renewal.

A common misperception about peace-building is the belief that peace action is all about “Doing.” That is not quite accurate!

Peace action is a lot about finding a healthy balance between action and non-action; between DOING and BEING.

Are you making room for a quiet time in your life each day?

Time for reflection, contemplation, introspection, prayer and or meditation?

Time to relax? Time to play? Time to just hang out with friends, family or other loved ones like a pet?

Look to leaders for role modeling such as Gandhi who devoted himself to non-action as an integral part of peace-action.

Have a happy, peaceful weekend wherever you are.

From Anastasia,
Temporarily snowed in up in the mountains