Kate Lawrence

Hi, and thanks for your interest in The Practical Peacemaker. If you’re concerned about violence, poverty and environmental degradation in the world, and feel powerless to make any meaningful response, this book is for you. In it you’ll learn about personal obstacles to peace, the everyday things you have within your control, as well as the ways we as a society have made peaceful habits more difficult (see table of contents below). Throughout the book you’ll find dozens of suggestions, choices you can make in your own daily life, that build momentum toward more peaceful living. Are you ready to become a practical peacemaker? Rest assured that what you do does make a difference!

You can read the Preface (PDF) and the Introduction (PDF) right now.  (Go here to download Adobe Acrobat for free to read the PDF files.)  

Book contents:

Preface: Simple Living Makes Peace Possible

Introduction: The Three Aspects of Simple Living

Personal Obstacles to Peace

Societal Obstacles to Peace

Conclusion:

For ordering information, click here.  If you order from me, I’ll be happy to autograph your copy for you.

For other great titles on similar subjects from my publisher, see the Lantern Books web site.

Two audios of Kate (mp3 files):

Interview on KAFM

Teleclass 04/13/2009

What Others Are Saying:

The Practical Peacemaker recently made the Denver Post's "local nonfiction bestseller" list!! 

"The Practical Peacemaker is courageous, insightful, and spot-on. If enough of us take Lawrence's suggestions, we'll change the world­-and any of us who follow her lead will have lives of greater meaning and satisfaction."
—Victoria Moran, author of The Love-Powered Diet and Living a Charmed Life

"A practical approach to peace must first acknowledge the main reasons for conflict—and resource disputes are at the top of the list. If we want peace, we must reduce demand for resources (such as oil and water) and share more equitably what we use. Kate Lawrence's work bypasses failed good intentions to get to the heart of both conflict and resolution."—Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute and author of The Party's Over and The Oil Depletion Protocol

"In The Practical Peacemaker, Kate Lawrence explores the root causes of ongoing unrest and dysfunction in our world. Because we 're overfed but undernourished in so many different ways, our eyes are not on the prize: a peaceful, just, and sustainable world. Lawrence shows us how to shift our focus and our actions to these things that really matter."—David Wann, coauthor of Affluenza and author of Simple Prosperity

"Kate Lawrence provides us with a clear, insightful guide for simple living. If you sincerely work to follow this guide you will find that you are in fact actualizing your best nature of selflessness and compassion, liberating yourself from isolation and sorrow. Words are cheap but the transformative PRACTICE of simple living is divine, bringing peace to one’s self and the world."—Ven. Danan Henry Roshi, Spiritual Director, Zen Center of Denver

"This lovely little book is a thoughtful exploration of the barriers to living a life of contentment and satisfaction. Kate Lawrence offers a rich palette of practical peacemaking suggestions based on principles of non-harming, care for others, and commitment to an ethical path. Drawing from her own personal efforts, she shows how practicing peace and compassion can be the true basis for healthy people and communities, and thus a healthy world. Though obstacles are endless, Kate Lawrence convincingly invites us to take up the path of peace in the midst of everyday life, to generate harmony within ourselves as well as among our friends and family."—Stephanie Kaza, author of Mindfully Green, Professor of Environmental Studies, University of Vermont

"Walking our talk is the key to the future. Reading The Practical Peacemaker teaches us the walk to save the earth."—Howard Lyman, author of Mad Cowboy

Kate's Blog

A Practical Peacemaker
Ponders . . .

I’m Retired!
7/17/2010

I’ve just taken early retirement from a longtime position as a reference librarian in a public library, and I’m here to tell you that retiring is absolutely amazing! It’s so mind-blowing that it’s probably just as well that no one does it more than once or twice in a lifetime.

For years I had to get dressed, pack my lunch, check the weather, determine if it was bikeable or not (I rode my bike every day except when too cold, raining or snowing heavily), and show up at a certain time. I had to deal constantly with the public, the cranky as well as the courteous. In a high-demand environment, I was expected to troubleshoot machines--computers, printers, copiers--when they failed to work, a circumstance that intensified the public’s crankiness and, I admit it, mine. I was expected to multitask and do more than I had time for, particularly in recent years when government budgets were being cut year after year.

If I didn’t feel well, I agonized whether it was serious enough to call in sick, knowing my absence would place a greater burden on co-workers covering the desk, and if I wanted time off I had to request it well in advance and plan carefully to keep within my allotted number of days per year. I had to keep up with countless policy and database changes, some useful and needed, some not. I had to schedule meeting room use, plan programs and displays, attend staff meetings and training sessions, and endure dramas between co-workers. And now--poof!--it’s all gone.

Those are things I won’t miss, but to be fair, the job had numerous positive aspects. I spent my days with many people who love books, and learned from them. I helped people every day in concrete and sometimes life-changing ways. I encouraged children to read and complete school reports, and chatted with lonely elders as time permitted. I saw the new books and movies as they arrived, being introduced to authors and subjects that I otherwise might not have encountered. I served a system that is a major reuser of resources, supports community-building, and provides the most disadvantaged residents with opportunities for improved language skills and career advancement. I was valued for my hard-won education. I had the opportunity to purchase new books at a discount, and used books at a low library sale rate. In addition to my salary, I received paid vacation time, sick leave, and a retirement pension. My co-workers gave me a lovely send-off party, including a vegan cake (see photos) and a dozen roses.

Now that I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, I’m very excited to see what the future will bring!

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