My initial title, “Joy and Peace” didn’t sound interesting. As I began to write, thoughts flooded my mind, and materialized into the current title. I’m thinking… who wants to hear about joy and peace even though they are desirable. People want happiness and peace, but often times they don’t know where to go to get it. I suspect if you do a survey, “Do you want a joyful life and peace in your mind?”
They would answer, “Yes.” It is a good thing to have. Some people don’t even know what a joyful spirit means or to have peace of mind.
Some have been in such mental turmoil all of their lives at home, in the neighborhood, at work and wherever they are and have no idea where it is to be found. With others, how do you achieve a joyful spirit and peace of mind. So much unrest wherever we look. Do we need to carry all of this weight with us? No! We can only do what we can do. Okay, back to the title, “Joy and Peace.” Would you prefer a more exciting title, like “There ain’t no joy and peace in this life!” or “Forget trying to live in peace with him or her or in this place.”
Or “Piece of what?” “You want a piece of my mind?” I received a letter from a prisoner incarcerated in Folsom State Prison. I will write him soon. I haven’t forgotten and I respect all persons. Everybody deserves respect in one small or large way. We are made in His image. That’s why even when a person is going to court, the person is called Mr. or Ms. In front of their names. My reader talked about navigating so people know what they are up against in life and not get caught up. I have to answer him. He took time to write me and I certainly will take time to write him with a respectful response. People are looking for a way to improve this society. It’s difficult. The structure of the “system” is so complex trying to unravel its difficulties is challenging [to say the least]. The Folsom prison letter writer wrote a deliberate and well worded letter. When people begin to formulate opinions about people and not see them as individuals who warrant respect, that encumbers things. Where do we go from here? Who do we reach out to….or cry out to? What can you do? Where do you start? How do you make a breakthrough and be heard as a person of intelligence who can speak sanely and with calm and clear sentences. Seek peace, pursue it and you will have a more enjoyable life. Arguing, fussing and fighting will only set you up for high blood pressure and heart attack.
Teach the children. Jeanette Grattan Parker, Ph.D. Founder-Superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 4514 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043 [all writings are copyright. [email protected]. Will You Marry Me. Inquiring Minds Want To Know
