Tag Archive for peace

Trump as the Great Unifier

January 30, 2017 Comments Off on Trump as the Great Unifier

Could President Donald J. Trump turn out to be the Great Unifier?  Democrats don’t like what he’s doing; Republicans are not that happy with his actions.  Supporters are saying, “You mean that he was serious about that campaign promise?”  Surprised consumers are learning that we’ll pay for “the wall” via higher prices for food and goods.  Crowds of people who voted for Trump, mixed with those who did not, are, together, raising their voices against an Executive Order.  Heads of state from other countries are conferring, afraid of what some of his policies will do to the world economy and peaceful coexistence.

Could it be that people will unify behind reining in the President?  That Republicans and Democrats may actually communicate with each other?  That countries will decide that it’s best to cooperate for the common good?  That our citizens will decide that working toward the goal of a unified, functioning, egalitarian America is more important than protesting and rioting?

We’ll see…maybe.

 

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Recipe to Get You Through the Week

November 7, 2016 Comments Off on Recipe to Get You Through the Week

This has been a stressful year, but it’s over tomorrow.  The campaigning, innuendos, half (and non) truths, name-calling, squabbling, taking sides….  We’re all sick of it.

I propose two things.  First, of course, is to vote tomorrow.  If you don’t vote, you forfeit the right to complain about the outcome.

Second, make Wednesday a calm, peaceful day.  Reconcile with friends and relatives with whom the election has caused rifts.  Start looking for the positive side of the candidates and ballot measures that won.  Enjoy the fact that your mailbox isn’t stuffed with election materials and that your phone isn’t ringing off the hook with recorded political messages.  If doing something semi-destructive but also constructive will calm your nerves, take a walk and collect political signs from light posts (not from private property) and bring them home to recycle.

And, most of all, feel American-proud that you did your part to foster democracy by voting.

 

 

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You’ve Come a Long Way, Lady….

March 8, 2016 Comments Off on You’ve Come a Long Way, Lady….

[Although this was sent out, at least in part, as a self-promotion for a group called “Credo” (I’ve left off the parts that do that), it offer some interesting end encouraging facts about progress women are making…some things to celebrate on this International Women’s Day, and some things to continue working toward.]

Recognizing Progress, Working for True Equality

Women are getting an education. Worldwide, girls now enroll in primary school at almost the same rate as boys. And national constitutions adopted since 1995 are more likely to ensure equality in education for girls than those adopted before—86% vs. 50%. However, educational opportunities for girls lag far behind in parts of the world, and women make up two-thirds of the world’s illiterate.

Women are a boost for business. Women are receiving recognition for their contributions to the places they work. Research shows companies with three or more women in senior management do better in all facets of organizational effectiveness.  Yes, the pay gap continues.

Women are a critical force for peace. Research shows that when women are involved in the peacemaking process, the chance of lasting peace dramatically increases. However, they are often left out of the process.

Women are safer in pregnancy. Maternal mortality has dropped by at least 40% in 76 countries, thanks to better access to prenatal care, fewer unsafe abortions and better family planning. Yet many women around the world still lack reproductive healthcare.

Women are leaders. Almost twice as many women hold political office today than did 20 years ago, but the total numbers are still far too low.

[You’ve come a long way, Lady, but still have far to go.]

 

 

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Some Thoughts for Pearl Harbor Day

December 7, 2015 Comments Off on Some Thoughts for Pearl Harbor Day

I remember visiting the Arizona Memorial in Hawaii.  During the film showing the horrors of the attack on Pearl Harbor my eyes blurred with tears.  Then there was the choppy boat trip to the monument, a short distance from other coffin-ships which suffered the same fate as the Arizona.  Entering the monument, I saw the too-many names filling the cold marble walls. We talked in hushed tones, the meaning of what we saw crushing our hearts.  The thoughtful quiet continued through the trip back to land. I prayed silently: for those whose names appear on the wall, for those still in their watery graves near the monument, for all their families, for the men and women in battle all over the globe, and, most of all, for leaders of large nations, small countries, and self-serving political factions to remember that we’re all part of one human family.  And for all of us, that we may practice peace in our own individual lives and keep urging our legislators to work toward the goal of peace on Earth.

 

 

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Jane Goodall Looks at Humans

October 22, 2015 Comments Off on Jane Goodall Looks at Humans

You might think that a British anthropologist who studies animal behavior has her mind somewhere else but in the human world.  Not true of Jane Goodall, who is also U.N.  Messenger of Peace.  Her experiences and studies have led her to the conclusion offered in today’s Thursday Thought:

“WE HAVE SO FAR TO GO TO REALIZE OUR HUMAN POTENTIAL FOR COMPASSION, ALTRUISM, AND LOVE.”  — FROM HARVEST FOR HOPE: A GUIDE TO MINDFUL EATING
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Charlston: Peaceful Closure

June 22, 2015 Comments Off on Charlston: Peaceful Closure

It’s amazing: families of the people shot to death in a Charlston, SC church, during Bible study, are saying they forgive Dylynn Roof, the killer.  They refuse to let hatred breed more hatred.

Hearing their response to cold tragedy brought me to a realization–that forgiveness is the only way to reach the elusive “closure” that everybody talks about.  Execution and life-imprisonment punish the perpetrator but are forms of vengeance.  Anyone who has ever kept a grudge for awhile knows that “getting even” doesn’t make us feel a lot better. In fact, it gives more power to the person receiving our retribution, because of time and psychic energy we wasted on thinking about him and because now we, too, have done something negative.  Besides, his wrong act and our reaction will haunt us forever as we call up memories about how he got his comeuppance.  It’s a far cry from closure, which, by definition, brings an end, a conclusion to a situation.  It’s even farther from what people expect closure to bring them, which is peace.

Forgiveness closes off the gut-churning blame process and it doesn’t involve a soul-shattering battle of negatives.  Most importantly, it brings peace.

Forgiveness–what a concept.

 

 

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Nebraska, Death, and Shame

May 29, 2015 Comments Off on Nebraska, Death, and Shame

Nebraska lawmakers have banned the death penalty, even overriding their governor’s veto.  I congratulate them on realizing that the “eye for an eye” law was–listen up, Christians–the old law, replaced by a new Law of humanity and reason.  They came to understand that the death penalty, on the moral level, is unequally applied and too permanent in cases when guilt is later disproved; on the practical level, far too expensive; and, on the emotional level, seldom brings victims’ families the peace they long for.  Lawmakers saw that the practice was not justice but simple revenge.

Nebraska is state #19 (plus DC).  We’re well past 1/3 of our civilized nation’s ridding itself of the practice, as much of the rest of the major nations have done.  Yet we’re so far away from even 1/2.

I’m sad to say that my state, California, is on the wrong side of those percentages.  If you live on that side, urge your state’s lawmakers to do something about ending this national shame.

 

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Memorial Day Tribute

May 25, 2015 Comments Off on Memorial Day Tribute

Today, pause to remember the men and women who died fighting America’s battles.  Their goal was to stop tyrants and regimes that treat people like insignificant, disposable, unworthy non-humans.  This was their contribution to upholding the dignity of man and working toward peace.  A fitting memorial to them is to carry on their mission.  Not fighting in a far-away land but living our daily lives as though those around us, those of different skin colors, religions, socio-economic status–everyone–were human beings.  Such a peaceful, tolerant attitude must start with us individually, in our homes, schools, and workplaces and spread to our cities, states, nation, and, ultimately, the world.  Maybe such a global attitude will prevent tyrants and hate-groups from getting a foothold.  Yes, this is idealistic, but so were all those who died in uniform.  Carrying on their idealism is an appropriate way to honor them.  Even if we succeed in making a more peaceful, tolerant world just in our own lives, that is a tribute to the principle they fought for.

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Last-Minute Resolution to Consider

December 31, 2014 Comments Off on Last-Minute Resolution to Consider

This is the last day to make our New Year’s resolutions.  May as well forget the traditional weight-loss one, since we fail before February anyway.  We could resolve to quit smoking or swearing, be more organized or thrifty…. Then, again, we could step out from our own little world into the larger one.  We can make this the year to help protect and nurture a child.  Yes, we can send money to support a child on another continent, but why not make it more personal?  One way is to volunteer at a local hospital as a person who cuddles at-risk infants, giving them the warm contact that will save their lives.  Another is to become a Foster Grandparent, Big Brother/Sister, or Child Advocate.  Also, we must do something when we see that timid first-grader being bullied by other kids.  Closer to home, we can spend more time with our own children or grandchildren, playing games, taking walks, and providing times for talk to happen. Focusing on children is a resolution that makes a brighter year for everybody.

Happy New Year.  May 2015 be a year of peace in the world and in your lives!

 

 

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The Arizona, Veterans, and Remembering

November 11, 2014 Comments Off on The Arizona, Veterans, and Remembering

I have vivid memories of my experience in visiting the Arizona Memorial in Hawaii.  The visit began with a film showing the horrors of the attack on Pearl Harbor.  My eyes blurred with tears.  Then there was the choppy boat trip to the monument, a short distance from other coffin-ships which suffered the same fate as the Arizona.  So many names filled the wall behind the altar-like steps, and the hush of the crowd echoed the silent voices trapped deep beneath us.  Little was said on the trip back to land, as we all found ourselves deep in thought.

This Veterans Day I’m thinking the Canadians are right to call it “Remembrance Day.”  It’s important to remember and honor our veterans, those who fought for our way of life.  It’s even more important to remember that we should work toward a time when the reason for such occasions is only a bad memory.

Hug a veteran.  Pray for peace.

 

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