Caren Jablonsky's International Day of Peace Activities

This weekend was filled with feelings of peace, love and personal growth.  September 21 was International Day of Peace as well the Art of Recovery Expo in downtown Phoenix.  I enjoyed celebrating both events. For most of the day, I walked around the convention center, taking in the positive energy that surrounded me, from people in recovery and professionals working in the field.  I ran into several people that I know and enjoyed lively conversations with each of them.  Everyone is in a great mood at this event because there is a sense of hope, in general.

I find that when people have committed to living an authentic existence and being present, their overall sense of health and well-being naturally increases.  This, in turn, brings about a desire to eat healthier, if one is not already doing so.  I'm a firm believer in the mind-body connection; the healthier one eats, the happier the body and spirit will be. Along the same lines, I believe that if someone has an issue with being overweight or obese, there is a very high likelihood that unresolved trauma (childhood and/or adult) could be at the center of one's inability to lose weight on a permanent basis.  Of course, there are always physical issues which could be contributing to weight gain.  However, barring these factors, a nutritionally based shift in food intake as well as increase in physical activity will translate to slow and steady weight loss.  In the past year, I helped a friend lose almost fifty pounds by cutting out unrefined sugar sources such as cake and cookies, increase fiber to at least 25 grams per day, adding at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day and limiting red meat.  He also began walking at least five miles a day, several days per week. The results were so inspiring!

During the evening on September 21, I went to a drumming circle party to celebrate community, peace and the fall equinox.  The festivities took place both in the home and backyard of a couple who host a weekly vegetarian dinner in downtown Phoenix.  I am humbled to be in the presence of people who have so much love and care in their hearts for our community.  I have been to this dinner once during a full moon drumming celebration.  The food is delicious and nutritious; the people who attend are of a like-minded spirit. The backyard drumming circle took place around a bonfire.  It had cooled off enough on this fall night in Phoenix to watch some beautiful flames rising up as people opened their hearts to the drumbeats. It was a magical evening!