MJ’s story continues through a letter exchange with her Aunt Gia, and is shared as a series in the Substack newsletter, Groundswell.

​

Still on roller-skates whenever possible, MJ finishes high school early and heads to Washington D.C. to study art therapy. The growing political tensions in the country continue to tear apart her world. She realizes what she wants most is to be a voice of peace. The problem is she has no idea how to go about that when she also has to cover rent and food, and not be overtaken by despair.

With her mother less and less available to help work through things, MJ starts a letter correspondence with her Aunt Gia who had always been a source of joy, encouragement, and guidance in her life. Their letters help MJ deepen in her mindfulness practice and her commitment to peace building.

Things take an unexpected turn when MJ starts volunteering with the peace movement. She learns about a program where college credit is earned through individual self-designed, paid internships, studying with mentors from different cultures all over the world. This helps her find her footing on the path of Right Livelihood and understanding how to build a life of meaningful engagment, working for true peace and understanding in the world.