Holding a Vision of Belonging

Posted by Melanie Weidner · October 20, 2023

I’m holding a vision

of belonging.

Deep Breath Art & Wisdom Cards, card #7, Belonging

As part of my prayer for peace this week, I asked Spirit for insight and drew an art & wisdom card. For just a moment, I was surprised to see “Belonging” as a remedy for violence… but then I knew: Violence against anyone hurts all of us, and we all belong to that suffering.

Then belonging widened into a vision where we all belong in the work to grieve and cease the violence. I see a world where all children belong to each one of us, where each child and each person is cherished and protected. Justice and aid given freely help grow a deep sense of safety, belonging, and contentment, diminishing the desire for power and war. Joy and creativity are celebrated daily, in the communities I envision. No one lives in fear. Humans come to know all beings of the earth as kin— furry ones, swimming ones, green and growing ones— and we learn to relax into that belonging too. No being lives outside of love and care.

We flourish together.

May it be so,

for you, for me,

that we belong to all people

and our earth kin.

May it be so,

as you and I return

to this life-giving vision

hour by hour.

May it be so,

as we commit daily

to our part of

the long and brave work

of building this belonging

and building this peace.

--Melanie

Deep Breath Art & Wisdom Card deck booklet page, #7, Belonging

So many of us are grieving the violence against Israelis and Palestinians.

Let's remember to compassionately reach out to those we know who are hurting.

I will also be speaking up for peace, donating to relief aid,

and contacting my congresspeople asking for de-escalation and peace-building.

I've been connecting with AFSC.org. #nonviolence #ceasefire

If this image, Earth Holds You, will help you hold the vision for peace, find it here:

Deep Breath Art & Wisdom Card Deck

Art Prints

Other peace-building art images are available in new Greeting Card Sets, while supplies last.