Flame bearer peace week Felicitas Schlette: I long for peace and for a world…

Felicitas Schlette carries the flame of peace during the peace week on Monday 21 September at 09.15 am from Huize Rivendel through the Reichswald to Milsbeek. Here’s her story:

My theme is confusion and trust.

I carry the flame of peace, while my mind travels in 1000 directions. Aware of the fact that I have seeds of peace and of discontent in me, I walk the way….  Not because I’m a particularly peaceful person. 

The  struggle does not take place outside of myself but within myself.  I long for peace and for a world where goods are distributed fairly, where people live modestly and respect mother earth, a world of tolerance and free people, who enjoy beauty, dance, music and each other. But at the same time, I produce a lot of annoying thoughts every day: dualistic, judgmental, and fearful thoughts. Sometimes I lie awake at night and wage war within myself.    

Walking in nature does me good ……… I walk with all the light and shadow sides…. I walk to embrace my inability.

Somewhere deep inside me is a source of wisdom and love, from there I draw the strength to start over and over again. If I am connected to the source within me, and you are connected to the source within you, then we are one. We can start over, arrive in the moment of now –  and trust …..   

Trust in yourself – trust in the world?

My  mind can go in a thousand directions. 

But on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. 

With each step, a gentle wind blows. 

With each step, a flower blooms.

Thich Nath Hanh

Photograph: Bj. Shoemakers