Permission to Begin Again

So often we try to change something about ourselves only to fail or slip back into our old way of doing or thinking. We may want to eat better, exercise, conquor addictions, improve our relationships with family friends or co workers. The first thing that needs to happen is finding compassion for yourself by not judging yourself for getting lost. Second you simply begin again! Spend what ever time you use for meditation or prayer to reinforce these two simple things. It is spring a time for new beginings. We are enjoying our time with family and friends, and the perfume of orange blossom, jasmine and gardenia. I have a greatful heart for the abundance in my life. I have a hopeful heart that love and mutual respect will bring peace to our planet.

The following is an attempt at editing the mission / vision statement for our project, (for which we still do not have a name). I hope you will take some time to play around with names and do some editing of your own on this version.
PEACE,Marianne



( ) is a co-op run bookstore and library dedicated to independently published materials and art with a focus on diversity, equality, peace and justice. ( ) will serve the community in the following ways;
Educate and inform by sponsoring events, speakers, discussions, film, fundraisers, book readings and cultural celebrations.
Provide a meeting space for groups and organizations promoting social change through diversity, art, education and activism.
Provide a new kind of public space for anything from, discussion, activism and networking, to relaxation and reflection.

The Power of the Group

Individually we may wish for a better world. We may even choose a lifestyle that embodies our ideals. But we are limited, in our isolation in what we can accomplish. I believe we can have a greater impact for change if we join together with others in a common cause. To start with we must learn to listen to each other. It is only through really listening to people with different viewpoints that we can learn from each other. The other day I listened to the grandson of Mohandas Gandhi, Arun Gandhi, speaking about passive resistance and non-violence. He said his grandfather would pray every day, the prayers from all religions. He said when we think we have found the truth we no longer continue to look for the truth. In other words we stop learning about each other and ourselves. Finding a common ground is not an easy thing, but it is made even more difficult if we think we have all the answers before we start. Another thing I believe is something that was said by Suzanne Arms “birth activist”, “ Information alone does not create change or transform people’s way of thinking”. So if this is true, and I believe it is true, it creates a challenge to the way we approach things. I think we can start with the dissemination of information but we must back it up with actions that are going to impact people on a personal level. So my goal as we go forward with this project is that we approach it with an open mind, an open heart, try to learn something from each other, and let our creativity blossom. An analogy I learned from listening to Arun Gandhi is this; Peace is like a grain of wheat, if I keep it isolated it will wither and die, but if I join it together with other grains of wheat and
expose it to the sun, wind and rain it will flourish and grow. So hopefully we can take these concepts with us as we move foreword with this exciting endeavor.

Your Friend in PEACE
Marianne Power

Initial thoughts

Malakye and Brooklyn


What’s The Big Idea?

A Community Reading Room

Info Shop

Street Library

Alternative Reading Room

Gallery

Meeting Space for Groups

Simplicity Circles

Focus on alternative literature

Health

Life style

Education

Religions and spirituality

Food

Community Development

Music

Story telling and poetry


The time has come for our community to create a place where people can explore a perspective outside the main stream. You might say, the mainstream has gotten us where we are, what is wrong with the main stream? This should be a place for people who want to challenge the status quo. A place where diverse groups can come together, a comfort zone of sorts. Comfort for whom? Any one who has a desire to be a part of the community, to bring people together with a common goal.
The goals may be many and diverse. As long as the goal strives to improve lives in our community.

My daughter Alison is 16 years old she and her friends need a safe place where they can spend time with each other and practice their independence and find out what is important in their lives. Women with small children need a sanctuary, a quiet place, a stimulating energizing place. Somewhere they can explore their creativity through discussion, literature, crafts, exercise, spirituality, music, and dance. We do some of our best thinking when our mind is not cluttered. Working families need a social outlet where adults can gather to enjoy healthy discussions, healthy food, music and laughter. I hope this will attract a culturally diverse group of people. We all have something to learn from each other. If we see each other as individuals we are less likely to wage war against each other. I see this as a resource center of sorts, where any one can come to find out how and where they can make a difference in our community. This needs to be a multi generational place. My family lives in a multi generational household. The benefits are endless. When we isolate ourselves and our children from older people we all miss out. My mother brings her history to my children and their friends. They see her making beautiful clothes from a length of cloth instead of going to the store to buy it; they see her cooking a meal from a recipe in her head instead of micro waving a box; they listen to her stories about when she was a girl and recognize some of the same struggles they are having in their own lives. There are so many elderly people in our community with a history to share. These histories will be lost if we don't make space for them in our lives. Individuals, college students, people new to our community will have a friendly, safe, stimulating place to come; to explore where their talents lay. We have become too isolated in our homes with our computers, televisions, and video games. etc. It’s not reality! The best part is people will not have to spend a dime. Any more we think in order to have a good time we have to go out to a bar, restaurant, mall movies etc. It is all very expensive, and for families on a tight budget they feel even more isolated because they can’t live the glossy magazine life style. Soo it all sounds great but how, where , and when will this be accomplished? The answer is up to all of us here, if you think you would like to be a part of a group of people trying to make a difference in our community, share your talents, time and network with others to find the resources we need to make this happen. I know many of you are thinking, I’m so busy right now how could I possibly do one more thing; here is what I am thinking.
There are people who have time to give, we always need time.

There are people who have special skills and talent, very valuable to the project.

There are people who have things to donate that are not useful to them any more.

There are people who have money or services may wish to donate to the cause.

There are people who know other people who would like to help in any of these ways.

Finally

There are people who will wish us well, think positive thoughts about our project, say good things to other people, and come and enjoy our company any time.