We always devote our Winter Solstice Synapse to peace issues. From news of Bosnia to O.J. Simpson, we are reminded daily of the prevalence of violence in the world. This year we have placed an emphasis on actions that each of us can take to promote peace.
Peter Dougherty and Mary Anne Macy discuss the visionary concept of peace teams that are emerging around the world as an alternative to violence. This idea has relevance in wars between nations, as well as in conflicts in our own communities.
We are pleased to report the establishment of a new peace center in northern Michigan. The Wagbo Peace Center in East Jordan will be a place to learn about conflict resolution, bio-dynamic gardening, renewable energy and much more.
Internalizing the Cold War is a thoughtful piece on prisons that encourages us to look beyond the mentality of "building more prisons" to examine the root causes of crime. We are reprinting it from Positive Alternatives, published by the Center for Economic Conversion.
Several articles focus on action in the legislative arena. Legislative Updates, A Farewell to Arms, and Stop Project Elf Now all spell out specific legislative bills orcampaigns to help shift from militaristic, wasteful programs to more humane, peace-based policies. Please take a few minutes to write some letters to our elected officials as these articles suggest. The only way democracy works is if people voice their opinions to our government. It's easy to get discouraged when we hear about the big money driving the lobbying scene in Washington, but this is the only system we've got, and we can make it work, beginning with the grass roots.
We need to make peace with nature as well. We have included several articles relating to pesticide use and the promotion of organic farming. As consumers we need to help with the transition to pesticide-free food. Several "eco-alerts" are mentioned, again with suggestions for action.
To reconnect us to the natural cycle of the Earth, Nancy Hayward has written about the importance of celebrating the Winter Solstice and tapping into the Earth rhythms of this special time of the year.
And finally, we include an update on news from the Neahtawanta Center. We have several interesting workshops planned, as well as a conference on media and truth to be held in Traverse City in the spring. Our big renovation of the Inn to become barrier-free for wheelchair accessibility begins in the spring as well.
Out of the darkness of hopelessness, fear and despair we see a glimmer of light, which grows brighter as we move towards it. . . as we breathe into it. . . as we connect with it.