A Stand in the Park

About a month ago I heard about a global movement called “A Stand in the Park.” It began in Australia, and now people in 40 countries stand in the park on Sunday mornings (10-11 local time) for personal truth and freedom. There are 44 Stands in the USA. and thousands worldwide.

(It’s a Stand, not a protest.)

This news moved me greatly. I looked for a nearby Stand. There are only 2 others in NY, both downstate. And so I asked Lei Lei for guidance, and here is the response:

This is a blessed aspect of your work here at this time, and so we gratefully and enthusiastically bless your vision and your desire to act. We will be supporting you in this mission and in your ability to be present for this beginning and to assist moving forward in whatever capacity is the best for you, whatever you choose, however things unfold. It will be a blessed group and action and movement forward.

2 days later, after some thought and doubts about the timing of this action …

Yes, the time is now. And you may say to others that the time is now, that you have concerns about where we are going as a being of humanity, and so you feel it is time to stand for personal truth and for freedom.

And so I started a Stand here in the village of Middleburgh, NY. I put up some flyers and began to spend an hour in a village park every Sunday.

I have enjoyed my time. So far I have communed with the nearby trees, the hills, the sky, the sun, been visited by the wind, enjoyed the creek bordering the park, found a dime, been observed by a cat, and met 2 humans and a dog on a walk. Many birds have been around as well. I’m grateful for all of them. I feel closest to the trees and the wind.

I was prepared for a long time on my own. The person who started the movement stood alone in his park for 3 months before another joined him.

I will probably eventually write up something for the local newspaper about it.

This week a friend asked abut the Stand. I had told her I was doing it and she wanted to come. She looked it up on the international website and I hadn’t reported it. But I’m standing for a while and I should put it on …and now I have.

I wrote these words:

Let us stand for personal truth and for freedom. Each person’s truth, whether they agree with me, or another or anyone else. We must be able to speak our truth, be heard …never silenced. This BRINGS freedom.
Let us also stand for community. For knowing each other and sharing ourselves and maybe even helping each other when there is a need and the desire to help.
Simply standing for personal truth and freedom is an excellent start.

Thank you, my supportive friend!

Also, here are the contents of the local flyer: