"There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Jesus Christ." Galatians 3:28 NRSV
Whether you believe in Christ or not is immaterial to the meaning of the verse. African, Asian, Australian, European, North or South American - we are all members of the human race - we all have the same DNA. One's country, social standing, wealth or gender does not make one person more "valuable" than another. Yet, everyday, people are killed senselessly, without a thought to the fact that each one is a precious person.
I am greatly troubled by the war and violence throughout the world. Three more soldiers dead in Iraq today; one newborn baby found dead in a recycling plant by workers sorting through paper; rape and killing continuing in Darfur. Everyday we see too many examples of inhumanity in our country and around the world - both within countries and between countries.
What can we do? Sometimes it all seems so depressing and daunting, the quest for peace. I started thinking about some of the the generic things we can do. We can vote. We can write letters to our representatives voicing our opinion. We can write letters to the editor of our local paper.
I spent the morning pondering what else I could do to make a difference in the world. I was in the grocery store parking lot and a woman was turning into the spot next to mine. There was a shopping cart in the way that she hadn't seen when pulling in. I put my hand up for her to stop and I moved the cart out of the way. She gave me a big, cheery and very surprised sounding "Thank you so much!" I had barely gone out of my way - yet she was so appreciative. That's when it hit me. I may not be able to stop the war in Iraq, single-handedly - but I can do a kindness for my neighbor. Isn't being kind to one another what peace is all about?
I challenge you all to do a kindness a day. Just one. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Compliment someone. Donate blood. Go without a meal and donate the money to a charity. Give up a seat on the bus to someone who looks more tired than you feel. Leave a supermarket coupon on the shelf where someone else can use it. Let the mom juggling a baby go ahead of you at the bank. Use your imagination. Your kindness might turn someone's day around - it might even cause a chain reaction of kind acts.
It will take time and effort to achieve peace in the world. But meanwhile, we can try to achieve peace in our hearts and in our towns.
Many thanks to Mimi for her wonderful dream and call to action for world peace. Dona Nobis Pacem.
Namaste
22 comments:
What a wonderful thought provoking post..thanks for shaing your peace globe with us...m
Well thought out!
Peace-
Bud
Thank you for visiting and for your peace globe posts. That Mimi is pretty terrific, isn't she?
Peace to both of you, Madd and Bud.
Thank you for the suggestions about bringing peace to those about us. Peace to you.
Another wonderful globe posted for unity's sake. Woohoo! Wishing you and your loved ones peace and joy that never ends! c",)
Excellent post. If we all do our part the world could change.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Well said - and well acted upon! Yes - when we do one small kindness, it changes us and it changes that world around us. And when we remember the true meaning of "Namaste" or "Shalom" or "seeing the Christ" in one another, then we bring peace. A wise colleague of mine wrote, "The commandment to love was not then, and is not now, a command to FEEL a certain way. It is a call to action." (Beverly W. Harrison - the Power of Anger in the Work of Love)
Namaste, my friend!
That's about it in a nutshell
Excellent, perfect post Sunflower. You're so right! If we start small, here in our homes, our towns, our state and stay diligent - we can bring peace to America. I will seek ways to bring peace to my community.
Pay it forward always works.
Thanks for stopping by via dr. john.
Hi Sunflower Optimism, lol!
that typo goes a while back,
but seems the Republican House
fell and fell at last
Maybe beyond war, we can see past
I LOVED your post. Just doing even little things can mean SO much.
Thankyou for stopping by my blog today, I wish you peace as well.
When we do see and read so much bad news it is so uplifting to find such a positive and caring attitude. Grat post sunflower and wonderful advice. A little does go a long way.
Sorry, friends, I have been remiss in responding - trying to birth a new business which has unfortunately been cutting into my blogging time. Thanks to all of you for visiting my peace globe.
Betty, you are so right, we must all CHOOSE to be peacemakers.
Irene, I loved the Gladstone quote you posted about a time when "the power of love will replace the love of power. . . " Just perfect.
Thanks for stopping by Quill - I've been enjoying your posts. I wish the whole world could be as peaceful as I remember feeling, singing that same song around a campfire as a Girl Scout.
Rev. Kate, it's nice to see the distinction between feeling and doing, in writing. I think anyone with a conscience knows that nagging feeling that tells them to DO SOMETHING.
Thanks Quasar9 - and sorry about the red alert for the typo! Now I'm embarrassed I didn't notice it last time! Yes, it will be interesting to see what happens next, with our new leadership. All I can say is they better not blow it!
Right Kat - we'll keep working on the big world issues, but meanwhile. . .
Thanks for stopping by Jan - yes, let's pay it forward and create some love in this sorely stressed world of ours. That's some Viking Girl! Love the martini - is that a trademark of yours? ;-)
Jafa, appreciate your visit - hope the artist's block is banished!
OF - snow already??? Oh my. I'm still enjoying the unnaturally warm fall here. Cute cartoon :-)
Exactly, Sandy, it doesn't take much to make someone's else's day. We sometimes run around so wrapped up in our little lives that we forget about the world around us.
Wonderful post, Sunflower. I wish I'd seen Mimi's peace globe post in time to join the effort.
Now that was a good sermon. I'm glad I finally found the time to see what you were saying. IF each of us just did a little we could change the world. Our part of it anyway.
beautiful post today. Thanks!
Lots of events seem to have coincided eg, the mid term elections, Saddam's verdict, and hopefully the leaders will review their positions in Iraq.
Its great to strive for world peace but realistically in todays world its unattainable. Unfortunately.
Beautiful Post--U took the words right out of my mouth! When we deny God, Our world collapses'
: (
Velvet Sacks directed me towards you and your post today. Yes, Sunflower Optimism, one little act of kindness each day, it's more powerful than we know. There's even a commercial (I can't remember the product but I do remember the sentiment) demonstrating how one act of kindness can/will be passed on and on and on. I pledge to do one act (at least one act) of kindness each day from here on out.
My best to you, Annie
Velvet, thanks! Yes, I'm sorry, I should have posted a "promo" on my blog, for Mimi's wonderful project. Thanks for the mention in your Oprah blog - still catching up there, no time this weekend :-(
High praise coming from you, Dr. John! If everyone could change their own corner of God's green earth and bring about an attitude of love and kindness - what a miracle that would be!
Creekhiker, thanks so much for your visit. I appreciate your kind words. I loved your blog! Glad to see you are taking the "kind deed" idea to heart. That Mabel, what a hoot!
You're probably right Dave - but that can't keep us from trying. Imagine how much worse things would be if we didn't?
Appreciate the visit Starbender - as our world is collapsing now? Hopefully there are better days ahead. I love your photos - but you'll never get me on that road!
Thanks for stopping by, Annie. Yes, I remember that commercial also, I think it's an insurance company - but clueless as to product. I guess that makes it a bad ad! But great for seeing how kind deeds can snowball :-) Love visiting AK through your eyes - didn't know you called yourselves Arkansawyers.
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