If There Is Light...It Matters

Darkness fell rapidly. Next to the highway, one and two foot waves crashed along the rocky shore. Looking to the left, I hoped to see the fence marking my friends’ property.

Ahh, there! The garage's loft windows glowed with yellow light. Taking the stairs, I saw towels marking the recent presence of brave souls in a hot tub. We northerners are a hardy bunch. 

 "If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person."  *

Once upstairs, the unfinished open space was a feast for the senses. Guests--aged seven months to seventy plus--dressed in flannel shirts or wool sweaters and jeans. There was a swingy dancing outfit, a black sleeveless dress, t-shirts, and a couple of crisply ironed outfits accented with turquoise and silver. They mingled about  a table laden with hor 'dourves. Wild mushrooms sautéed in onions from a neighbor’s garden complimented regional cheeses.

A side table was dedicated to pies: apple, mincemeat, pumpkin, banana creme, pecan, and cranberry…homemade by the guests.

Down the middle of the plywood floor ran a make shift banquet table nearly as long as the room itself. Candles flickered along its length, illuminating the tablecloth, napkins, and glasses.

A blessing of gratitude was given. Then, everyone filled their plate with salmon loaf en croute and mushroom curry sauce, and shepherd’s pie—meat or vegetarian—thank you. Above us twirled a disco ball.

"If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house."

Meal over; tables down; chairs pulled in a wide circle. Dishes hauled to the house for washing, later.  It began. It was the reason for coming. Welcome to a Victorian Salon, South Shore style!

One after another, those who wished, stood to share their gift. Here is a sample of the offerings:

• Holding two of his recent works, an accomplished artist explained how Tischer Creek’s light captured his imagination;
• A couple, married more than forty years, performed a hot, swing dance, including slides, twirls and lifts.
• Using PowerPoint, a small businessperson demonstrated her adventure-based, international kayaking company.
• Standing with a clip board, a fellow gave a plea to help unseat a sitting governor. Laying aside the petitions, he then broke into a set of Tai Chi moves choreographed to music. His pony tailed, gray hair flew as he softly spun.
• Just home from basic training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, a ruddy-faced youth demonstrated physical training techniques. The exercises were called out by—none other than Ponytail Man as he read from an iPhone. Yes, there’s an App for that.
  When everyone who wished to share finished, a DJ began mixing it up at turntables. Shy teens got out and shook it alongside aching-jointed elders until the midnight hour set in. 
  
  "If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation."
  
  While presidents wrangle over how to best stop the European Union from unraveling, while politicians debate the best ways to disengage a ten year war…one often is left wondering: How can I, personally, bring greater peace to the world?

"If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."

Here’s a suggestion: start your own Salon. Open the door of your home to those down your block or in the next block of offices whom you have never met. Welcome those who look, sound, or act differently from you. 

After all, they are just another embodiment of who you are: a human being gifted in ways that, while different than others, adds richness, substance, and beauty to life.

Make peace, anyway and in all ways you can…it matters.            Peace be in all, Jane

*Phrases from a Chinese proverb affirming the values of Light, Beauty, Harmony, Honor and Peace.

http://www.ifor.org/WPP/quotes.htm