ss_blog_claim=382b23c0c917c4da8523791d09618c76

Saturday, November 04, 2023

Blogblast For Peace 2023

 


Today I'm joining hundreds of bloggers across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". I'll start calling this my Peace Blog, as I seem to use my blog for just this movement nowadays. I don't care though, it is too important not to participate! The wars in Ukraine, in Gaza, other armed conflicts... Sometimes peace seems to be an unreachable dream, but we cannot give up. Not now, not ever.

Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. Don't have a blog? You can also join us by using social media. My globe will be on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and all other places I am in too. 

Post and share, anywhere you are online. 
It's that simple. Join us!

This is my 18th globe in my 16th year participating. Every year there's a theme on the main website. I don't always follow that, and that's okay. This year I did, the theme is: 
"Change the room - the transforming power of walking in peace" 
Imagine what would happen... 
if instead of trying to find peace, we walked in with it? 
What if we simply carried it in? 
What if we were the peace everyone else was searching for? 
What if we expected the room to change when we entered? 
Don't you think it would? Why can't we be the water and the well?

I love that, but struggled a bit how I wanted to incorporate it in my globe. After a lot of thought I said to myself: stop overthinking and start creating! And so I did.
I couldn't find the right image of a room, so I created a few in Bing Image Creator (AI). I chose one intuitively, added the usual info and decided to go with the flow. My fingers typed the words without thinking and I loved it. I tweaked a bit with font and lay-out, and I'm happy with the result.

To everyone: I wish you peace! One moment, one step can be the beginning; one person can make the difference!


Blogblast for Peace links:

 

Saturday, November 05, 2022

Blogblast For Peace 2022


Today I'm joining hundreds of bloggers across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". As I said last year.... although I seem to use my blog for just this movement, it is too important not to participate! Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. Don't have a blog? You can also join us by using social media. My globe will be on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, Mastodon and Instagram too. 

Post and share, anywhere you are online. It's that simple. Join us!

This is my 17th globe in my 15th year participating. The world today can be a scary place. The polarisation is alarming, disturbing even... So many things are happening at the same time. The world is burning, literally too. It feels like the world is in a transition, shedding its skin to emerge renewed and fresh.How that world will be is up to us all. Peace begins with all of us. Find peace inside yourself and spread it out. We can stand together and create a better world. Imagine... You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one... 
With all that in mind my globe evolved very organically. On Deviantart I found this wonderful Windows Live Wallpaper by JimKing. The child is overlooking the world, pondering what to make of it... It also made me think about the fool in tarot. That brought me to a quote on peace from the Witches' Wisdom Tarot by Phyllis Curott & Danielle Barlow, in the counsel section of the '7 of water' card. I wanted to include the peace symbol and one of the first results I got was the hand. Somehow it all fit together and my globe was born. 

To everyone: I wish you peace! One moment, one step can be the beginning; one person can make the difference!


Blogblast for Peace links:

 

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Blog4Peace Ukraine 2022

 


Once again I'm joining hundreds of people across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". Blog4Peace and Post4Peace are hosting a special edition for the country and the people of Ukraine. It is time to fly our peace-globes in this time of war and international distress. 

Peace bloggers all over the world are blogging and posting for peace today. All over social media we are speaking with one voice: 

Dona nobis pacem 💙💛 Ð´Ð°Ð¹ нам мир ðŸ’™ðŸ’› Grant us peace.

Please join our community. All it takes is one post. Don't have a blog? You can also join us by using social media. My globe will be on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe and Instagram too. 

Pics I used are by ELG21 & ChiaJo via Pixabay.





Thursday, November 04, 2021

Blogblast For Peace 2021


Today I'm joining hundreds of bloggers across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". Although I seem to use my blog for just this movement, it is too important not to participate! Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. You don't have a blog? You can also join us by using social media. My globe will be on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe and Instagram too. 

Post and share, anywhere you are online. It's that simple. Join us!

This is my 14th year participating. Another weird year due to the covid-19 pandemic has gone by. Last year I focused on that subject, but this time I'm going back to the bigger picture. Peace!
I found this beautiful piece of art some time ago: "Lightwork" by Autumn Skye Morrison. To me it symbolizes, that we are weaving the web together with people all around the world. In a world full of polarization, discrimination and racism we should try to find each other again. Agree to disagree with mutual respect. Try looking for similarities instead of emphasizing differences. Excluding any group causes irregularities in the web we are weaving. We only have one world, one Earth, and we share it with everyone. Let's all cooperate to save our world, to find global peace. Sounds like a utopia? Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't, but it's a great goal to aim for. Aim big, aim high, who knows where we'll end up. Together we're strong, the United People of Planet Earth!

To everyone: I wish you peace! One moment, one step can be the beginning; one person can make the difference!


Blogblast for Peace links:

 

Wednesday, November 04, 2020

Blogblast For Peace 2020

 

Today I'm joining hundreds of bloggers across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". Although I seem to use my blog for just this movement, it is too important not to participate! Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. You can also join us by using social media. My globe will be on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too. 
Post and share, anywhere you are online. It's that simple. Join us!

This is my 13th year participating. It's a weird year due to the covid-19 pandemic. The corona virus is currently surging in its second wave around the world; the sad totals are almost 50 million known cases and 1.2 million confirmed deaths up to now [source]. The virus does not discriminate, it can affect anyone, no matter what race, nationality, background, age, gender, etc. The world is one in crisis, but it feels like we have never been more divided at the same time... Polarisation rears its ugly head. People are worried, stressed and fed up with the strict but necessary measures. Discussions on- and off-line are spiraling out of hand, even to the point of violence. Hope is alive but our patience is tested.
All of this was the focus for my globe. Mimi of Blog4Peace posted this quote some time ago; I just changed 'disagreements' to 'differences'. I chose an image where people are social-distancing, but still reaching each other. Even if they are miles apart (literally or figuratively), they can still meet each other in the middle. There can only be peace where there is mutual respect. Agree to disagree. We are in this together, let's do it together. 

To everyone: I wish you peace! One moment, one step can be the beginning; one person can make the difference!


Blogblast for Peace links:

Monday, November 04, 2019

Blogblast for Peace 2019


Today I'm joining hundreds of bloggers across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". Although I seem to use my blog for just this movement, it is too important not to participate! Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. You can also join us by using social media. My globe will be on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too. Post and share, anywhere you are online. It's that simple. Join us.

For my 12th year participating I chose a theme close to my heart: snow! As you all know I'm a winter-girl. I love snow and when I think of snowflakes gently whirling down it always gives me a sense of... peace! The stillness of a white winter wonderland calms my heart. Some time ago I found the quote by Layne Russell and it felt appropriate to use it for my peace-globe. We're living in a crazy world today; may our hearts cover it with blankets of peace...

To everyone: I wish you peace! One moment, one step can be the beginning; one person can make the difference!


Blogblast for Peace links:

Sunday, November 04, 2018

Blogblast for Peace 2018


Today I'm joining hundreds of bloggers across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". Although I hardly ever use my blog, this movement is too important not to participate! Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. You can also join us by using social media. Post and share, anywhere you are online. It's that simple. Join us.

It's the 11th time I'm participating. This year I decided to keep it simple. Peace should be simple, don't you agree? Still, finding peace in this ever changing world isn't always as simple as we'd wish... I believe real peace can be achieved if we focus more on the similarities and less on the differences between people, religions, countries, etc. When we really make an effort in understanding each other on all levels, that could be the start of finding peace in the end. That's why I chose this quote by Albert Einstein. Peace everywhere might sound like Utopia, perhaps it is, but I hope that won't stop us from striving for it.

To everyone: I wish you peace! One moment, one step can be the beginning; one person can make the difference!


Blogblast for Peace links:

Saturday, November 04, 2017

Blogblast for Peace 2017


Today I'm joining hundreds of bloggers across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. You can also join us by using social media. Post and share, anywhere you are online. It's that simple. Join us.

It's the 10th time I'm participating. In a world that seems to be divided by its religions I chose this theme. We experience terrorist attacks by extremists that use religions as an excuse for horrible acts taking so many innocent lives all around the world...
I believe all religions are in essence peaceful, but almost all have an extremist branch that act out under the guise of protecting their faith. There's a history of violence in the name of religions, but I don't believe that's what they all are about, or at the very least they shouldn't be.
I believe we can all coexist on our planet if we would all make an effort. I believe in interfaith dialogue: cooperative, constructive, and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions/faiths and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels. I see more similarities than differences, and like to explore those in a respectful way.

To everyone: I wish you peace! One moment, one step can be the beginning; one person can make the difference!


Blogblast for Peace links:

Tuesday, November 08, 2016

An Open Letter To Robbie Williams

Hi Rob!

 Let me start by congratulating you on a very well-deserved Brit Icon Award! As you noticed last night in the Troxy and on social media, we (the friendlies) are very proud of you! I couldn’t come, but I watched video’s and read stories of my fellow-friendlies that were there. I can’t wait to see the show on tv, or perhaps dvd / blu-ray?

 Let me take you on a little journey… I’ve been following you ever since you left Take That. I always say: I like TT’s music, I love Rob’s. :-)
In 2003 I had tickets for the tour but I got a nasty flu and wasn’t able to go. Needless to say I was bummed! In 2006 I got tickets again and yay, it was time to go to my first ever Robbie Williams concert! Then a week before that, my mum died unexpectedly… I was devastated and unable to queue at the time my friends and I had planned. But thanks to my fellow-friendlies (then called F-gang for Forum-gang, your RW-forum) I could come a bit later to queue and they got me the best possible spot in the venue, right in the middle in front of the stage, in front of you. Just as my mum would have wanted I had a great time!
I also went to the live broadcast of The BBC Proms in 2009, the Take That & Robbie concert in 2011 and the Take The Crown Tour in 2013.
 In 2014 I bought tickets for the Swings Both Ways concert in Amsterdam. I was so happy when I won the Upfront Meet & Greet on May 4th! I went there with my husband; remember the tall guy that made you stand on tip-toes? ;-) You almost ignored us at first because you thought we were just from the record company, but then made up for it big time. We all laughed when your security guy accidentally put out the lights. We chatted and thoroughly enjoyed the time you spent with us, and the concert was great too of course!
When the LMEY-tour was announced we heard it would be different venues and festivals. In The Netherlands you came to Pinkpop. Unfortunately I have some medical issues that make me unable to stand for a longer period of time, so I knew I couldn’t make it there. My budget didn’t allow me to travel abroad to go to one of the concerts there that did have seated tix. Of course I was a bit disappointed but I still enjoyed it by watching you on Periscope while chatting with other friendlies on Upfront and by video’s, pics and stories of others. There were already rumours of a new album and a real stadium-tour in 2017 so I promised myself I’d definitely see you there!

That brings me to the present day. The last week it was Robbie-time! :-) I tried to get tix for the intimate gigs/tv-things you did over here in The Netherlands. No luck, not a problem. I watched you on tv and liked it almost as much! I got the new album and I really love it! I put my holiday plans for 2017 on hold in anticipation of the announcement of the HES-tour dates. Yesterday I was anxiously checking your website, Upfront, Ticketmaster, Twitter, etc. And YAY, finally… they were there! I was surprised to see Nijmegen in the list, but anywhere in our country would be okay. The Goffert Stadium is beautiful and a great place for a concert. Then I suddenly noticed it said GoffertPARK. O no… that’s an outside venue, just a green field in a park. I really don’t understand why they chose these venues and not one of the many suitable stadiums in The Netherlands: Arena, Kuip, there are many… Is it too much to ask for stadiums on a stadium tour? I don’t think so… I’m just a genuine long-time fan that wants to go to the concert! Belgium got the same with Werchter. This means no seated tickets… I won’t be able to go… Again… I felt sooo disappointed… gutted, in pain even. :-(

Years ago you asked me and my fellow-friendlies to grow old with you. I said YES then and I still say YES today with all of my heart and soul. But you know, when people get older some get little infirmities, ailments, medical issues. More than that, even young people too… Not always too serious thank gods, but still stopping them from doing what they were used to. No Inner Pits for me and that’s a shame, but I still enjoy the concerts! Yes, I need a seat, but I won’t stay on it for long. I dance, I cheer, I even jump, but in between that I just need to sit down for a while. And I’m not the only one. I’ve read several similar sentiments everywhere.

Please don’t get me wrong, I don’t blame you! I know you probably don’t hand-pick the venues, you’ll have people for it, and that makes perfect sense of course. But perhaps you could have a talk with them…? So maybe next time, next tour it could be different. In the meantime I’ll be looking into possibilities to see if I can manage to do a concert with seated places in Germany. A girl can try, can’t she? ;-)
I understand you can’t do a lot right now for this tour, but you’ve always been open and honest with us friendlies so I thought I’d return the favour.

Much love, Cora (TinkNL on Upfront)


Friday, November 04, 2016

Blogblast for Peace 2016


Today I'm joining hundreds of bloggers across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. You can also join us by using social media. Post and share, anywhere you are online. It's that simple. Join us.

This is my 9th year of participating. I used the image of a painting by John William Waterhouse called 'Miranda' (1875). Miranda is a character in William Shakespeare's play The Tempest. Waterhouse painted versions of Miranda at the start and end of his career. The other versions are both dated 1916. I love all versions, but while the later versions show the storm this one feels peaceful to me. Although you don't know whether it's the calm before the storm or after...
It goes very well with the quote I used. I wrote it down years ago and I can't remember where I got it from but it felt suitable for this year's globe. So many storms are raging around the world... It can be hard to find the peace, within ourselves, our nations, our earth...
When storms are raging all around you
Find the peace that calms your troubled sea
To everyone: I wish you peace! One moment, one step can be the beginning; one person can make the difference!


Blogblast for Peace links:

Tuesday, December 01, 2015

Pagan Pages December


PaganPages is an online magazine or e-zine about all things pagan. The December Issue is up now!

As always there are a lot of interesting articles for you to read: two book reviews, how to make a Yule brew, recipe for holiday cookies, all about Frau Holle and much more!

In my column I share this picture of my 'witch balls' and share some info and ideas about their origin and meaning. You can read it here: Tink About It: Witch balls


PaganPages is looking for new writers. Do you want to contribute to PaganPages? Just send an e-mail to admin@paganpages.org!

Wednesday, November 04, 2015

Blogblast for Peace 2015


Today I'm joining hundreds of bloggers across the world in a movement called "Blogblast For Peace". Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. You can also join us by using social media. Post and share, anywhere you are online. It's that simple. Join us.

This is my 8th year of participating. I found a wonderful image called 'Forest water' that embodies peace to me. I combined the triple moon, a pagan symbol, with the peace sign. I added a quote I found online:
Don't let people pull you into their storm
Pull them into your peace
To me it says it all: peace comes from within, one person can make the difference and start a change in the world!


Blogblast for Peace links:

Monday, November 02, 2015

Pagan Pages November


PaganPages is an online magazine or e-zine about all things pagan. The November Issue is up now!

In my column I shared a story about an intriguing workshop I did a few years ago: making Death Masks.


PaganPages is looking for new writers. Do you want to contribute to PaganPages? Just send an e-mail to admin@paganpages.org!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Goose-bumps songs

Last week a friend tagged me on Facebook and challenged me to post 5 songs that give me goose bumps. I know so many songs that do just that, it was hard to choose just 5... These are the songs that I posted:


I discovered Alison Krauss when this song was used in an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer somewhere at the end of the 90's. I love most of her music, but this hauntingly beautiful song will always be my favourite...



I love this song, especially played very loud! :-) The symbiosis between the instrumental parts and his voice is so great.



No need to explain I guess, goose bumps! Especially when Freddie starts singing... wow...




I could have picked 'Creep' too or any other Radiohead song for that matter. Thom's voice and the music bring me to another dimension. I often used that place to hide when I wanted to... disappear completely...



One of my all-time favourite songs, so beautiful!

So this was the choice for now. I could have chosen so many others too; this list is by no means complete. Angel by Sarah McLachlan, some Dutch songs, Robbie Williams of course, but also classical pieces like Pavane by Fauré. Old songs, new songs... Music does something with me, for me. Thank you for the music!

Monday, October 26, 2015

Wendy Rule workshop and concert

We didn't have the best of times last week, but the weekend made up for that! We had a wonderful weekend...Friday evening started with the arrival of our friend Merel who stayed with us for the weekend.
Saturday afternoon Merel and I went to a workshop with Wendy Rule in Haarlem. The theme was the Underworld, perfect for this time of year. A lovely group of people and Wendy's music and stories created an intimate atmosphere that enabled us to go deep. We talked about how different people see the Underworld, what it means to us. The underworld can be a real taboo in society today, but life & death and dark & light simply belong together. They need each-other, they are one even. We shared some very personal stories. I won't share other people's stories of course: what happens in the circle, stays in the circle. That's a matter of respect and trust. I have told about my depressions, how sometimes you need to go even deeper to get out of it. The underworld can be a scary place then, but also a safe haven. Others don't always 'get' that, they want to help you. Wendy explained the myths about Demeter & Kore/Persephone, and about Inanna. She sang several of her songs that perfectly illustrated what we were talking about. The myths, darkness, death, depression... but also the underworld as realm of the ancestors, a hiding place and so much more... In a guided meditation we visited the crone. She showed herself to me as an old black panther with some grey hair. When I said goodbye she gave me a beautiful present: a veil. That can mean several things and I'll take my time to explore what it means to me and what I am supposed to do with it.


After the workshop we had a potluck dinner with lots of yummy stuff, what a treat! Ron and other people arrived and it was great to meet and re-connect with friends. Then it was time to enjoy a great concert by Wendy and her Timothy; beautiful songs interwoven with the stories behind them. I bought Wendy's last album, called Black Snake.


As always the end came way too soon! We helped cleaning up a bit and did some 'hangwitching' (Dunglish joke) before going home, where Merel, Ron and I had some fun time listening music together. We went to bed way past putting the clock back an hour!
Sunday I was tired and needed rest so we made it into a lazy day, not doing much. After dinner friends dropped in to bring me a bag full of chocolate, my favourite Milka Koeienvlekjes! The perfect ending to a wonderful weekend...