| Interviewee: |
Maggie Carter |
| Location: |
1800 Ridgewood Rd. Fort Collins Co United States 80526 |
| Faith Group: |
None specifically |
| Interview Date: |
Monday, March 3, 2003 |
| Faith Description: |
I explore a variety of religious foundations and have learned that they all have one common theme. You Are Peace. From that place I am open to what any religion has to share with me at its deepest foundational beginnings. |
| 9/11 as a "Wake Up Call": |
What this all means to me is that it brings me to a more committed place of finding peace within me. Doing the hard work of removing any "war" like thoughts or actions from mind and being. It all begins with me and once I have ended war within me then I will know what else to do. |
| Inspiring Story: |
To be in the greatest service of others is to BE what I want others to be, to be a role model through my actions, thoughts and motivations. Finding the place of deepest love within me is the greatest action. "It's not what you do or say but where you are coming from when you it and say it." (a quote that came to me via the universe.) |
| Peace Experience: |
As a consultant I work with lots of people who are in conflict. My role is to provide the space where they can find a greater understanding of each other. I had the opportunity to do that with a group of over 75 citizens who came together to find common ground over land use issues. One person said, "You helped us leave our 'guns' at the door. They found they had some things in common and could arrive at solutions that were in the bet interests of all. Others involved in those discussions still remember the sessions we had and the opportunities they had to be listened to. |
| Forgiveness Experience: |
I have had the opportunity to find forgiviness in a variety of situations - of my parents, myself and others who I felt have done me harm. Realizing that it is only my thoughts that create the pain and suffering has allowed me to find new peace and forgiveness where I thought it wasn't possible. |
| Waging Peace: |
The process that I described earlier allowed people from very different backgrounds and beliefs to come together to engage in discussions where they could listen and begin to understand the others with different views. It is life changing when one participates in such discussions and opens their mind and hearts to new possibilities. |
| Justice: |
I don't know about justice. I know that what happens is and that to argue with it is insanity. I would need to know more about what people are thinking when they describe justice. Justice is not my job it belongs to God. |
| Action: |
Exactly what I am doing now. I hold book studies and where people can explore the thoughts that create pain and suffering and find a new way of looking at the world. I facilitate meetings in which I provide a space for others to find new opportunities to learn about each and build relationships across differences. I do my own perrsonal work. "Sweep my own corner of the sidewalk." |
| Dreams for the Future: |
There is one language. Everyone is engaged in activities that are uniquely demonstrating their being in this time. Laughter and joy are rampant. The earth is honored and all toxic substances are but a vague memory. The support, collaboration and opennes to everything brings about new and creative ideas. There is the playfulness of a child in everyone, the curiosity of a child, the wonder of a child, the innocence of a child, the immediate forgiveness of a child, the adoration of the One of a child. The exquisite beauty of everything in the suroundings is recognized as there for us and the love we share and contribute is endless to and from and about. The "wars" the nightmares of the 'other world' have vanished into nothing and we wonder what all the fuss was about. AND this all here now if we look. |
