A Peace of My Mind’s work happens in seasons. We gather stories, we edit stories, and we share stories. Most often, the lines are blurred and we do all of those things all of the time, but one of those things always leads the way, and those seasons shift. During the pandemic, we were on the road for two and a half years. Most of … Continue reading Seasons
Earlier this month I attended a sober powwow on the Fond du Lac reservation. A celebration of recovery rooted in tradition and culture. We set up our studio and asked, “What has helped you move toward healing?” Also there, was Randell Sam, who I met a few years ago and interviewed him about his recovery and his work helping others find their way toward healing. … Continue reading Sober powwow
There’s a thought that’s been rolling through my mind since returning from Northern Ireland and trying to understand the division and conflict that continues to ripple through that land. “We are not so different.” The sense is the same if I stand on our soil and look at our many challenges, or stand on their soil and look at their Troubles. In fact, it’s the … Continue reading We are not so different
Andrew Cheung is the senior pastor of Washington Community Fellowship, a Protestant community located less than a dozen blocks from our nation’s capital that strives to practice love as a lifestyle. We talked about his interest in crossing boundaries, his personal walk through life with a sense of wonder, and in our ability to create healing for one another. “I think we can either approach the … Continue reading Andrew Cheung
Seth Nickell describes himself as a husband, a father, a combat veteran, and a man of God. I interviewed Seth in Stanwood, Washington at a retreat for Project Sanctuary, a nonprofit that helps reconnect returning soldiers to civilian and family life. We talked about his decision to serve, the challenges of finding help for his PTSD and the things he’s learned about himself along the … Continue reading Seth Nickell
The gallery below is meant to supplement the story you will find in Portraits of Peace: Searching for Hope in a Divided America. The book is available now, anywhere you love to buy books. Enjoy. Continue reading Book illustrations
Kristen Sandstrom is a self-professed word geek. She is an avid reader, writer and seller of books. I interviewed her in Bayfield, Wisconsin. We talked about her love for Lake Superior, her understanding of community and the ways she has moved toward healing after surviving trauma in her teens. “I don’t use the word victim, I always use the word survivor. That’s very important for … Continue reading Kristen Sandstrom
We all carry wisdom on this journey. I’ve heard some of the most profound stories from people who have said, “Oh, you don’t want to talk to me…I don’t have anything special to say.” We gather little bits of knowledge as we bump along the road of life. In some weird twist of fate, sometimes the rougher the path, the more we learn. And since … Continue reading Project Sanctuary
Vincent Turner once lived on the streets of Los Angeles, in a liquor store parking lot. He tried to build barriers to keep others out because he was disappointed with himself. He knew he was hurting himself and he didn’t like hurting others. When he was ready for change, he used the one bus token in his pocket to go to the Union Rescue Mission … Continue reading Vincent Turner
Lydia Koltai is a mother, an herbalist and a civil rights activist in Oxford Mississippi. She is active in a local movement to remove a Confederate statue from the lawn of the local courthouse. “I’m a pretty loving person. I really want to love everybody and understand where people are coming from. What is upsetting is when it feels like people can’t give that back … Continue reading Lydia Koltai
