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CountdOwn

What a whirlwind of activity my life has been since May 23rd.
I came across a quote the other day that really resonated with me: “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Numbers and Musings:
1 month. 13 days. Attended the Instant Karma art exhibit in town. Read a quote by John Lennon that said, “If one billion people were practicing Peace, we would have peace.” Which immediately led to my response, “Why wouldn’t one billion people practice Peace?”
Responding to myself: “Do people know how to practice Peace? Do they need to define it first?”
One month. 4 days. Since I decided this journey must happen, despite the odds. (first step.)
13 hours. The amount of time it took for me to be on the phone with the owner of Genuine Scooters after sending him an email about the journey. When I hit “send” I knew my life was changing. (staircase)
Philip, the owner of Genuine Scooters has been incredibly supportive of my idea. For this I give many thanks. Ironically, my friends suddenly believed I was going through with it once I said I had a sponsor. But, I was ready to ride 30 mph on my Met, if I had to.
6 days ago. Summer Solstice, Genuine Scooters/Scooterworks U.S.A offers me official sponsorship.
3-5 days until I can pick up my sweet new Buddy125 from Scoot Richmond, 217 W. 7th St in Richmond, VA. Thanks Chelsea and crew!
Every 2 days. The rotation of my yoga practice, to prepare my body for this journey. I would love for that number to change, but that happens in 1 week. I have been doing Kundalini, Hatha and Bikram Yoga. I will be seeking teachers in the states where I visit, and doing yoga daily on my own. If you can recommend good teachers along my route…lemme know.
Two weeks. 4 days. Until I start this epic journey. The kickoff is July 15, from the White House. I can’t express how much work has to be done before then. Bear with me until I get on the road. It will be a lot easier to update the website once I have ordered all the supplies I need, find a dog-sitter, sub-leaser, get the logo designed, the postcards/stickers/tshirts printed up, quit my job, get the scooter, etc.
3 days. And I will no longer be a Ninja Barista at the Oasis d’ Mudhouse. www.mudhouse.com I will have flung myself into the world of unemployment. The brave new world where people pay for espresso.
12,013 days. Birthed into this grand world. How do you measure Peace in your life? The past 36 days of my life have been the most exciting and rewarding. And trust me, my life has been full of zany fabulous moments. But I have experienced a shift in the amount of depth I want to have in my life. And I have discovered it in the amount of selfless service I offer this world. I read somewhere that “activism is our rent on Earth.” And so it is. This summer something is happening. The staircase is being built….
3 barks from my dog, Marco Polo, while I was writing this.

“Peace-making is a healing process and it begins with me, but it does not end there.” Gene Knudsen Hoffman

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Putting Peace on the Map

Hey Lookers!

This summer Peace will be put on the map.

Yep, literally. I will drive a route that creates a Peace sign around the U.S.

The route starts at the White House and ends in Crawford, TX.
What’s in Crawford, TX?
Well, that’s George W. Bush’s other home.

The way I see it, don’t exclude. Include. He’s a world leader and he’s also a citizen. First off, this ain’t an anti-war demonstration. It’s a pro-active Peace Demonstration. I am asking all Americans to define Peace with me this summer, Mr. President included. It’s important that our world leaders have a working definition of Peace, and help us to achieve it. You know that quote, “Be the change you want to see in world?”

Well, I think change occurs when we have a working definition of what we want. And accountability to incorporate the changes. So, the focus this summer is INCLUSION. And diversity. I bet there are a lot of responses to the question, “How do you define Peace?”

Regardless, let’s not define what we are by what we are not. Let’s transcend.

Sure, its hard to rise above lies, suffering, injustice, but that’s what I am trying to do. This summer, let’s point TWO fingers, not one. (that makes a peace sign)

The trip is estimated to be 9,000+miles and will take over 2 months.
It is a creative campaign to hasten Peace in our country, in our world and works with these themes:

  • The seeds of our beliefs. What does Peace mean to you?
  • Environmentally friendlier forms of travel!
  • Community: demonstrating our interconnectivity!
  • And yes. I want to see this war end.

I am asking the public to offer me your definition of Peace. I will be filming the dialog I have with people, and other events also.

I have a memorial planned to honor dead U.S. soldiers when my odometer marks that number. (unfortunately)

Peace isn’t just a revelation reserved for hippies, anti-war protesters, and the “left.”
It’s how we take care of our bodies, our children, our communities, our neighbors-global and local, and our environment.

Everyone of us has a future and is responsible for the co-creation of it with others.

What does it look like to you?

Remember: Point two fingers, not one!

 

“Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind…War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.”
— John F. Kennedy

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Trip Blip

A P.E.A.C.E. SCOOTER

A Patriot’s Exhibition Advancing Community and Environmentalism, on a Scooter

Peace, what is it?
Do you think we have enough of it? What is your vision?
I don’t settle for the world I live in these days. Actually, were any of us really taught to settle?
It’s a culture where we always envision more, right? More technology, more toys, more security, more education, more cleverness, more coffee, more success, more polar bears, more competition, more…
I envision MORE PEACE.

I envision decisions that prevent conflict and create relationships. Decisions that create community, a global community, not just a global market. Is it really that difficult to co-create this vision?

Sure, until you know what your definition of peace is. Then you have a way to measure results…

C’mon, what do you really think about the state of affairs…
We are still at war -a war based on lies.
Republicans and Democrats are still tusslin’. The Environment is in a whoppin’ mess.
Peace may be the opposite of war, but it also describes a type of relationship, to oneself and their environment. And here we are, Americans, global leaders and visionaries, pointing fingers at one another, making little progress…
It’s really a simple thing I want you to do.
Just define Peace for me.
While I’m out here cruising around our vast, beautiful country, think about Peace with me. When I pull into your town, tell me what you came up with.
And don’t point one finger, POINT TWO.