How Should We Combat Hatred? – Offering A Prayer Of Peace

This is not a post I usually write – frankly, this is not a post I want to write, because I do not want to talk
about hatred, negativity and politics in this blog.
But after I just heard the news that the Mother of my daughter’s boyfriend was attacked by someone using racial slurs,
and Donald Trump rhetoric, I had to speak out.
You see, we are a family of mixed decent. I am German, my husband is a mix of Irish, Native American, and Jewish decent, and my daughter is dating a wonderful,young hard-working Mexican-American man. His mother, equally hard working, and an upstanding citizen of this country was attacked by a white guy, this afternoon, telling her that all Mexicans should leave and that he is going to end them all. He continued to spew words about Donald Trump, repeated those hateful viewpoints, that have been brought into our homes via television over the last few months.
Thankfully she is okay, but it could have ended so much different. No one should have to experience this kind of behavior,
may it be because of their skin color, country of origin, gender or religion. It makes me angry – and I really do not try
to get angry – but it also makes me sad, that we now live in a space where people believe that it is okay to act this way.
This behavior of racism must stop now, may it be against African-Americans, Latin-Americans, or Native Americans, or anyone else.

I am asking you to offer a prayer for peace, no matter which religion you practice.

As a Pagan, I offer the following prayer:

“O Gracious Mother and Merciful Father,
We pray that you help the leaders and people of this world to have compassion in their hearts,
That you give them the wisdom to end the suffering caused by wars and hatred,
And the understanding that only through peace will we truly be happy;
We humbly ask you to guard and protect all of our brothers and sisters, no matter what skin color, origin, religion or gender.
And give comfort to the loved ones, who have lost family members due to these types of injustice.
May you lead us from death to live,
From falsehood to truth,
Lead us from despair to hope,
From fear to trust,
Lead us from hate to love,
From war to peace,
Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our Universe;
Let our words be spoken in truth,
And our hearts show only love.”

So Mote It Be

Loosely based on a prayer found in “The Wicca Life”

Maybe you can find peace in your heart, and share a moment in prayer with me.

Thank you

I am grateful that she is okay.
I am grateful that none of her children were with her
I am grateful that despite this, she and her family are not answering with hatred
I am grateful that I know that there are good people in this world, standing up for what is right.
I am grateful for you.

Claudia

Blog Hops:

Thankful Thursdays

No Rules Weekend Blog Party

Enveloped – A Haiku

Art of Affection by Chia Design http://goo.gl/bd2YZj

refuge from the cruel
worldly pain can not reach me
safe in your arms at last

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This post was inspired by today’s daily prompt post “Enveloped”. The above image “Art of Affection” is by ChiaDesign and is available as an art print here. Please support independent artists! Thank you!

Juniper Berries – An A to Z Blogging Challenge Post

I am a little behind on the challenge this week, so I will post two times today, once more in the afternoon to get caught up. My daughter is getting ready for an out-of-state prom, and I am sending her half way across the US today. Lots of stuff had to be done. (Who thought it could be so tough to find matching shoes, to fit her designer dress?)

But let’s get back to herbs and spices:

J is for Juniper Berries

Juniper Berries are actually not berries but part of a specific pine cone, that take up to two years to mature. Used widely in cooking, this spice has to be removed from the finished meal, similar to the Bay Leaf.

An essential ingredient in the creation of gin.

Matches well with: game, rabbit and hare. Use sparingly

Healing Properties: One compound of the spice contains terpinen-4-ol which stimulates kidneys and works as a diuretic. Because of its antiseptic properties, juniper aids in healing urinary tract infections, and bladders tones. It also lowers blood sugar.

Magical Properties: burn for magical protection. Juniper oil works well in workings that supposed to increase money and prosperity

Enjoy!

Forever – A Flash Fiction

“How could anyone ever abandon something as beautiful as her, is beyond me”, Sue sighed. “Beautiful she is, even in this condition, you are right.”, Meryl agreed. “Hopefully, as soon as she is fed, washed, and gets some rest, she will be able to find a good forever home.” The young woman smiled, at the vet, while stroking the light brown fur.” Don’t worry ’bout her, I’ll make her mine.”

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This post was inspired by this weeks flash fiction prompt “Abandon“

Invincible – A Daily Prompt Post

Today, Daily Prompt asked us this question:

At what age did you realize you were not immortal? How did you react to that discovery?

One of the aspects of being the victim of childhood abuse is, that you never have the luxury of thinking that you are invincible or immortal. You know very early on, that there are people more powerful than you, and they can do just about anything they want to with you. Fear becomes your constant companion, and if you are lucky, like I was, your vivid imagination becomes your best friend.
I am grateful for that, grateful that even life was too terrifying, too filled with potential landmines that could set him off, I developed my own stories, my own little life that no one could take away from me, no one but me knew about. A place where there are people who help one another, whom rescue those trapped by fear, and helped them overcome that which seemed too hard to lift on their own.
Aware of my vulnerability, I found immortality and invincibility in my stories.