Urban Peace Institute

As a survivor, I struggle with hypervigilence. I’m working to let go of that. While it scared me at one point, it doesn’t scare me now. I can breathe, relax, and enjoy.

Freedom…

Do not be afraid to be yourself and accomplish your dreams even though life can throw you a curve ball.

Paris- life, sadness, life.

Sometimes it helps to just let yourself feel the senselessness of violence- and, for me, to see the connection between the thought process for the justification of violence of batterers and terrorists.

Tree-life cycle, flowers, hope, leaves falling and growing.

Sometimes it helps to just let yourself feel the senselessness of violence- and, for me, to see the connection between the thought process for the justification of violence of batterers and terrorists.

As a gift for my acting class, I made an individual touchstone for each person’s unique journey. A little compass with a different positive affirmation that I found would benefit the person when they feel most lost and confused.

I felt beautiful making these. Whether it be “I’m always home.” or “I am worth celebrating,” each affirmation were things I need to hear myself sometimes. It felt amazing letting so much color and positivity out in the universe, and the look on everyone’s faces when they got them, were priceless.

On a journey in finding peace and love in my life.

Agape: selfless, self-giving love. It’s what I’ve used to transform my experiences into something I can use to help others. It’s what I go into everyday with the intention of living out with my every action. And it’s the only thing that can change the world.

Everyone has a purpose in life, find your connection.

Walk of Life

Embrace power-for behind it is an all knowing loving source.

The need to find my creative self in order to have a release for myself. I spend so much time helping others…I can’t forget about myself.

Today I have found hope, love, safety and smiles to live again. Today I am free from domestic violence. At a time in my life those things took me away. But today I have hope, love, safety and smiles because I am living!

Each person is wonderfully uniquely created by our God. We are the daughters of the King.

You are not alone.

My “pearl” displays the colors black and blue to represent the physical and emotional pain of domestic violence. However, despite the darkness and pain, I want survivors to remember that there is always love inside of them…love lives on…and someday they will love again.

When trials come your way, always remember to Love and Live Life.

Power gives voice. It allows you to speak up and speak out against the pain and isolation. Power allows you to take control and open yourself up to true love, respect and responsibility you deserve-power.

Tomorrow is another day full of promise. No matter how bad or how long this has been in your life, it does not define you. You can always move on to your true life. There is always a way out and people willing to help you. You are not alone, millions have walked in your shoes in some way and will help you walk on. This too shall pass with a promise of a beautiful sunrise to start your day.

If you are caught in the cycle, chose to step out of it. Be different. It may be scary. It may seem to get worse. But hold onto your hope. It will get better.

Talk to someone- there are more people out there wanting to talk and vent. Knowing that you are not alone may and can help you take the first step to end the violence.

Maturity brings vision, insight and focus. While we all carry our “baggage,” we all carry goodness and love as well.

Love yourself as a precious child. If we love ourselves we take care of ourselves and don’t allow others to hurt us anymore. Breathe! We deserve a full life!

We can end violence by bringing awareness of this problem. We can make a difference and spread Hope! Be the difference and create change!!!

My family helped me find peace

Sometimes we forgot who we are and how to feel. These stones are gentle reminders

Inspired by Jimi Hendrix’ single “Are You Experienced?”, I desired to live a life where every moment felt beautiful and full of color. My touchstone has been an instantaneous change of perspective to embrace my circumstance no matter how troublesome.

Strength.
Helping others.
You’re not alone.

La mariposa para mi significa Libertad, Esperanza. Es hermosa. Me identifico porque soy yo misma, sin que nadie me pueda cambiar mis sentimientos, mi personalidad. Tiene colores hermosos como somos todas las mujeres, bellas.

You are not alone in your pain. You are not alone in overcoming your fear. We are like a family and even though at different paces, we find our window to a better tomorrow.

No dejes que las circunstancias nublen la visión. Jamas renuncies a tu sueño mas grande. Nunca es trade; mientras hay vida, hay esperanza.

Yo he entendido que sin Dios no somos nada en este mundo. Desde que esta en mi vida, nada es imposible. He entendido que el no me suelta de su mano.

Mirar el sol de nuevo y un nuevo día con mis hijos. Tranquilidad. Paz. Luz. Amor. Estabilidad.

La flor es tan delicada como una persona que necesita todos los días de afecto y amor tanto como para una mujer, un niño o una persona adulta que necesita de alguien.

Tratando de sanar el dolor y tratando de ser aun mas fuerte. A perder el miedo.

You have the strength to make a new life for yourself! Keep positive thoughts and happy thoughts. Each day will be better. Be still during your day, and peace will be yours. <3

Awakening your inner strength.
Accepting yourself.

You live only once. Trust yourself and have faith that there are people (professionals) who are highly trained, able, and willing to help in any way possible. Advocates are available and they will go to any length to help. Love yourself, you are worth it!

Be Brave. Sometimes Love hurts. Be Brave enough to care for yourself. You CAN make it better. Be Brave enough to recognize when you need to make a change. Be Brave enough to know you can change a bad situation & make it good.

Whatever pain you felt, the change through your action will be for the better.

It felt good to create physical artifacts of my commitments and I felt that the tokens of support I received from other participants made my resolve stronger.

The Mana Empowerment group creating their touchstones for words of encouragement

Touchstones Project in American samoa