"A Testament of Hope": Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.

Here at It's a Simple Life, we strive to be in season with the many natural rhythms as well as all the different cycles that flow around us. The wheel of the year takes us on a wonderful journey with many reasons to celebrate. Whether a certain holiday is upon us, a birthday, or our trees have sprouted their first fruitful buds, following the seasonal rhythm provides an ebb and a flow to our daily life, much like the rising and setting of the sun. When you bring simple celebrations into your daily/weekly life, you're bringing more intention into your life. By choosing to create a life pregnant with meaning, intention, joy, and awareness your allowing yourself to fall into a space free from chaos and be within that space of creativity and expression. Living simply and allowing the natural rhythms of the world to come into your life frees you to 'celebrate' each day you are given. It frees you from the mundane chores of an overly stuffed with dwelling, it frees you from the hours upon hours that is wasted in front of T.V.,it frees you from the worry of 'what have I forgotten to do today?'. It is our goal at It's a Simple Life to give you ideas on how you can free yourself from those things that drain the energy from your life experiences and help create an environment to celebrate what ever it is you would like to honor in your life. 

Today.......we will honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has held a candle in my heart for most of my life. His voice, his grace, his passion for peace and equality, his undying effort to provide a safe and peaceful existance for his children, neighbors, and all humankind. This man was more than a leader in the civil rights movement; he was a husband, a father, a son, a friend. He was a beacon of light for millions of people, for all races and creed. He was a vision, a being of hope for a better world. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a voice, that when heard. would resonate so deeply, with such a force that it was almost impossible to not be moved, something would inevitable shift within you. It was as if you were hearing a voice with a message from the Heavens.

"I have been to the mountaintop {and} I have seen the promised land." ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A man with such a legacy so deeply rooted in the history of the world is an emotional and powerful lesson for our children as well as for ourselves. Today, as they (and we) see wars rage, anger, and despair, there is no voice to be heard in the way Dr. King's voice was heard. Our ears and hearts need to be stretched to hear the voices of those holding the torch that has been passed on to their care. Our children haven't hear a modern version of the speech "I have a Dream". They haven't heard the likes of "I've been to the Mountaintop". Their hearts have not been inspired by the speech "Loving your Enemies". No voice from our time has shared words so moving, so desperately needed to hear; this is the importance of keeping Dr. King's flame aglow. Our children need to hear these words, we need to hear these words. They (we) need to feel the passion and the power behind the voice, the eyes, and the heart that wanted to see freedoms and justice for his country, the world. It is important to share with our children the importance of peace, freedom, and equality for all who live on this Earth, for all inhabitants.

"Let us not see to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred." ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

When I was younger, maybe around 5 or 6 years old I remember learning about Dr. King in school. On the eve of our national holiday to remember this man I felt quite forlorn and bewildered. I wandered over to my neighbors house and began to cry. My neighbor took me into her lap and asked me to explain why I was so upset and I began to retell the tale of Dr. King and his life (the way I understood it) and that he had just passed away. She looked at me gently and realized that the piece that I didn't understand was that Dr. King and his life story had not happened during my lifetime, but many decades earlier. I remember her soft smile and gentle voice as she retold me that story of his life, being very much centered on the timing (using words like "in the old days" and "many, many years before you were born"). She didn't, however, tell me not to be sad or somehow make me feel as if my mourning was less than simply because his life and death happened decades before I was even born. I was allowed to process, and wonder, ask questions, and then eventually understand.........the best I could at such a tender age. Nonetheless, it was that moment that I remember thinking I will always hold his story close to my heart and will always be sure to remember what an amazing gift his life was to our world.

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In honor of Dr. King, in our home today, we have created a Peace tree. This activity is a gentle and loving reminder of what Dr. King was so deeply passionate about; Peace. This Peace Tree is decorated with symbols from all over the world, from every nation and religion. Having all of these symbols in one place makes a beauitful presentation of how we could be accepting and loving of each other, no matter our differences; Peace. For small children understanding the word Peace might be difficult so I will also include some wonderful book recommendations to help your children wrap their heads and hearts around this topic. I believe that between this activity, a listen to one of Dr. King's speeches (so they can hear the magic, emotion and passion within his voice; even if they don't understand what's being said), sharing one or more of these lovely books together, a seed may be planted for further understanding and compassion for the world in which our children live.

Other things one could do with children of all ages is to find ways which you as a family (cargiving or relation) can encourge Peace in your home and/or community. In the home, it is crucial to set up a strong foundation with regard to how one would treat another; fairness, compassion, honesty. Children will model what they see and and hear so be certain you're being fair, compassionate, and honest with your words and actions. As a parent or caregiver are you judgemental or unfair sometimes? Do you lack in compassion when ones' feelings are hurt? Are you honest in your interactions with others, with your children? "Being the change we wish to see in the world" is one quote that is on constant stream in my head. I'm usually caught pondering my actions and wondering if I emulated the best side or the not so best side! Other suggestions: donating to your local food pantries during this hard times is a wonderful way to share your wish for greater equality. Everyone has the right to basic needs, help by providing some pantry items on a regular basis. Children are very keen to the idea of being hungry so include them in your food gathering and let them help with the drop off. Volunteer with your local shelter. Children can accompany an adult volunteer to take the dogs for a walk or play with the cats and kittens. This is a lovely way to provide compassion and love. Participate in a neighborhood clean-up. Keeping your neck of the woods free from debris and trash shows your love for the Earth and those that share this planet with you! Help guide the children in your care to healthy conflict resolution. Many children today see or hear such unhealthy ways to express themselves; be a good role model and pay close attention to how you handle conflict.

Creating your own Peace Tree

The idea behind this tree is to bring a model of Peace from around the globe into your home, school, or place of worship. This tree represents justice, tolerance, love, kindness, and the hope for peace, between everyone and everything. It's for those reasons why I felt this would be a lovely way to hold Dr. King in the Light.

First, choose your tree. You may gather some branches and place them in a vase or pot, use an actual potted, living tree, paint your tree as a mural on a wall or as a drawing on a good sized piece of paper. Whatever it is you are moved to do......!

Second, download this page from the website: Peace Tree Day: symbols On this page you will see "Symbols in alphabetical order". These are the symbols you can use to decorate your tree with.

To create your symbols, well.......the sky's the limit! You can use paper, clay, wood, tile, felt.......whatever you have on hand or whatever you feel called to use to create your symbols. We decided to make a salt dough and cut out some of the symbols through that modality. Others we cut out of paper, felt and bamboo sticks. It was what we had on hand! If you choose to use tile or wood, you'll need a drill to put the hole into the top for hanging. You can also chose to spray your painted pieces with an Acrylic sealer to help preserve them.

Instructions for Salt Dough Symbols

Your will need:

1 cup of salt

2 cups of flour

1 cup of water
extra flour or kneading and rolling out
rolling pin
a chopstick or other similar shaped object to make the hole on top for hanging
toothpicks or other objects to help with decorating
acrylic paints
glitter, beads, feathers, string, etc.

Preheat your over to 250 degree

Begin by whisking together the salt and the flour.

Slowly add the water and stir until a dough forms.

Knead the dough until if becomes smooth.

Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness on your lightly floured surface.

At this time, you can cut a square piece off the larger piece to make it easier to cut out your symbol. It would be simplest to have a sketch handy or picture of your symbol in front of you to help inspire your cutting!

Now you can embellish your symbols with some impressions to help bring our more definition to your symbol. The Jain Hand, for example, has a sunburst on the palm which you might like to create before your symbol is baked so when you paint it, the impression is there. Don't forget to punch a hole in your symbol to thread some string through so that you can hang them on your tree!!!

Place your cutouts on a baking tray and put them in your preheated oven for about 2 hours.

Once your symbols have cooled, let the children decorate them as they wish with what you have!

Once they are dried, spray the painted symbols with the acrylic sealer, if you chose! They will need a few extra moments to dry before you thread them.

Now, with reverence and intention.......feel the Peace that has been felt by so many. Send it out through your heart and into the world so that little bit of your sunshine may dance with those who, like you, feel the 'Testament of Hope' through the shared vision of Peace.

Recommended reading:

Let There Be Peace on Earth

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.

*this book talks about the life and death of Dr. King, so if you have yet to discuss death with your children you might want to read this prior to sharing so you'll be prepared to answer questions that will naturally arise.*

What Does Peace Feel Like?



If the World Were a Village

And because this man is one of my all time favorite artists, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), I had to include this in our remembrance and celebration of one of the many who have stepped on to the Peace Train. "Come on and join the living. It's not so far from you."

Now I've been happy lately

Thinking about the good things to come

And I believe it could be

Something good has begun

I've been smiling lately

Dreaming about the world as one

And I believe it could be

Something goods bound to come

For out on the edge of darkness

There runs the peace train

Peace train take this country

Come take me home again

Peace train sounding louder

Ride on the peace train

Hoo-ah-eeh-ah-hoo-ah

Come on the peace train

Peace train's a holy roller

Everyone jump upon the peace train

Hoo-ah-eeh-ah-hoo-ah

This is the peace train

Get your bags together

Come bring your good friends too

Because it's getting nearer

Soon it will be with you

Come and join the living

It's not so far from you

And it's getting nearer

Soon it will all be true

Peace train sounding louder

Ride on the peace train

Hoo-ah-eeh-ah-hoo-ah

Come on the peace train

I've been crying lately

Thinking about the world as it is

Why must we go on hating?

Why can't we live in bliss?

For out on the edge of darkness

There rides the peace train

Peace train take this country

Come take me home again

Peace train sounding louder

Ride on the peace train

Hoo-ah-eeh-ah-hoo-ah

Come on the peace train

Come on, come on, come on the peace train...