Each year since 1981 September 21 has been celebrated as International Day of Peace.
We have such a great way to go to establish meaningful peace, and yet we can’t allow ourselves to be discouraged, or stop looking for ways to reflect peace in our individual lives.
I often think about these words of Hafiz:
“I have come into this world to see this:
the sword drop from men’s hands
even at the height of their arc of rage
because we have finally realized
there is just one flesh
we can wound.”
How is it we don’t all know this?
In one of those strange synchronicities, today I was going through some things in my office, and I came across a postcard stuck in a book.
I’m not entirely sure when it’s from, but it was early on in the campaign introduced by Dennis Kucinich to establish a Department of Peace, so perhaps 2001. Of course that campaign was unsuccessful, just as every previous campaign since the first in 1793. That’s not a typo – the first Peace Office was proposed by a signer of our Declaration of Independence.
There is currently a bill before the U.S. House of Representatives to establish a Department of Peacebuiding. You can read more about it on the Peace Alliance website here.
I like to think of my home as a peace zone. Years ago I read about the Kalao bird which is revered by the Senufo people of Cote d’Ivoire. It’s considered a sign of peace and good fortune if one is spotted, since they are shy birds and avoid humans. I found a carving of one by a West African artist and it now stands in the hallway of my home.
Wishing you a day filled with peace, and every day following as well.
Thank you, wishing you peace as well.
Thanks Candace!
Hi Deborah – we really need a year of peace to stretch to a year on year of peace.
I love the Kaloa Bird – I have a hornbill I picked up in Swaziland .. he’s a very light wood …
This is a wonderful day … Peace to one and all … cheers Hilary
Oh YES Hilary – day after day after day stretching into year after year after year into forever.
Hornbills are cool, although I’ve never seen one in person. I seem to have a penchant for birds with curved beaks.
I’ve always imagined your house to be full of peace, Deborah. Lovely to see a photo of your Kaloa. May it always work its magic on you and yours.
Thanks for your kind words and good wishes Kelly!
I had no idea it went back to the 1700’s, interesting! For me, I concentrate on what I can control and that is my home environment and the people I choose to be around. I do this with the hopes that even my small part can cause a ripple effect.
Peace to you, my friend!
Oh there’s no question in my mind Elda – you influence and guide people with your beautiful energy and actions.
Thanks Deborah for the reminder of International Peace Day. Your carving of the kaloa bird is beautiful. Peace to you …
Thank you Susan; and peace to you as well.
Wishing you a wonderful year of peace Deborah x
Thanks Fil – and the same to you.
Nice quote, Deborah. Until people can find peace within, I sense it’s unlikely we’ll see a world without violent strife. Interesting carving. I had to see what the actual creature looked like so tried looking it up (double checked spelling) and everything looked mostly like a duck. Do you have an image you can point to with a photograph?
You may be right Nanette, but it’s my belief that the more of us who hold peace the easier it is for others to entrain to.
Here’s a link to a bird photo:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/30094184@N07/2904959032
Hi Deborah,
I like to think of peace as something I create every day, ideally. If every person was peaceful in their everyday actions, we would have world peace.
I’ve been having some difficulties with a friend lately. My husband was reading me this beautiful excerpt out of his journal and it made me realize something… I was not loving my friend, I was not being unconditionally loving toward her. I had felt hurt, and my pain had blinded me to this fact. I understood war at that moment. War is just people in pain, lashing out at what they justifiably feel has wounded them. I am not excusing it, but I understand it. That moment made me realize that, in order for us to find peace within ourselves, we must search out those situations and relationships that are most painful and forgive them. Not only forgive them, but find a way to love them unconditionally despite anything that has occurred. Then, we will have peace.
What a powerful insight Amy. I’ve been musing lots about love lately, and unconditional love in particular. Your comment has added a layer to what I’m thinking about, and perhaps I’ll get a post out soon. But in the meantime, thank you. And may we all find our way to peace in all things.