Morihei Ueshiba was the founder of Aikido, which can be translated as "The Art of Peace." Morihei Ueshiba is referred to by the practitioners of Aikido as O-Sensei, "The Great Teacher". The following quotations from the Art of Peace have been compiled from O-Sensei's collected talks, poems, and calligraphy, and from oral tradition. (Taken from: http://omlc.ogi.edu/aikido/talk/osensei/artofpeace/ )
This is something that I think is pretty interesting. I have always made it a point to be very clear that I don't prescribe to any one given tradition, as there are just too many different (yet surprisingly similar) belief systems around. When it comes to fostering inner peace, I tend towards more Asian belief systems.. perhaps one of these days I'll figure out why.
Regardless, the first of these quotes is as follows:
The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the Art of Peace. Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment. Foster peace in your own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter.
I've seen this firsthand. The Law of Attraction is in full swing lately, the more open I am about what I think, what I believe in, etc, the more it seems to be accepted, even encouraged!
Exactly one year ago today, I spoke of depression. I even re-read over what I had posted and I really am surprised at the change in just a year's time. This year has held alot of different experiences, growth, and I really am proud of how far I've come. Much of it is facing things head on. Other aspects which I can't overlook is this overwhelming sense of being grounded.. knowing more about where and what, as well as who, I come from plays much into that. The realization that I've worn the weight of keeping up the holiday traditions almost singlehandedly for the past 20 years, and feeling that for the first time since my grandparents passed on, that they are closer to me now, their spirits are with me... These things have made a huge difference in how I've approached the holidays this year. I actually looked forward to it, instead of dreading it as I usually do.
So now that I've rambled (I've had only a couple hours of sleep, I'm not sure there's even any linear coherency to it!) The point of sharing the link and the quote: I've seen on several wiccan sites where there's mention of a "year and a day" study/lesson plan sort of thing. I think that I've reached a point where I'm ready for a more structured approach to learning all that I've wanted to. I'm thinking lessons contained in the Art of Peace would be a good way to get that started...not necessarily following a year and a day plan or anything, just something more structured, where there's some sort of daily observance/lesson involved. And so I think that as I go along with this, maybe I'll share insights and whatnot, depending on how it goes. Knowing me, I'll do alright for a month or three and get distracted!(And in my head I hear the old saying... "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"... well...I've got a pretty good freeway going then!!)