A New Look

I wasn't at all happy with the template I was using, so I finally changed it. I think this one is much more restful to look at. And Blogger has made some changes to make it easier to customize blogs, although I haven't figured out how most of it works yet. I lost my book and poster links in the switch, for example. But all in all, I like it.

Let me know if you have any comments or suggestions on what you'd like to see here. Email me at peaceripples@gmail.com or post a comment below.

YMCA Peace Week

Each year, many YMCAs and YMCA-YWCAs across Canada celebrate YMCA World Peace Week by dedicating a full week in November to explore peace from a personal, community and international perspective. This year’s Peace Week is being held November 18-25, 2006 and the theme is, “the power of peace…the power of people.”

YMCA Canada link for Peace Week (scroll down about 2 pages)

http://www.ymca.ca/eng_ycdaresources.htm

This is an excerpt from an email I received this week from Rana Farhaneh of the Cambridge YMCA, regarding what’s happening in Cambridge for Peace Week.

Our activities start November 20 with the opening Ceremony at the Z beside Y and the peace mobile activities. Schools will be coming through the day and its open for public “Adult and children” from 6 -8. Peace mobile are interactive activities to explore peace and educational activities focus on the dimensions of peace from different perspectives.

Multi – faith Gathering on Nov 22 from 7:00 to 8:30 at the Islamic Center 1550 Dunbar Road beside Newfoundland club. Different faith will be represented to share with us peace and unity for the world nothing formal it is a Gathering every faith will talk about peace from the perspective of their religion.

Citizenship Court and Community Peacemaker Recognition Ceremony will be held on Nov 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the YMCA Gymnasium. It is open for public and their will refreshments on the side.

This link leads to a 109-page activity guide (in PDF format) from the YMCA Canada website.

http://www.ymca.ca/downloads/Peace-Week-Activity-Guide-06-Eng.pdf

What are you doing for Peace Week? Feel free to post a comment on the blog or email me at peaceripples@gmail.com to let us know.

Meditation

Do you meditate?

I keep reading about the benefits of having a regular meditation practice. For years now, I've been reading magazine articles, books, and such on it. Occasionally I'll try to start some program or other. Usually the closest I get is looking in the local Activities Guide to see what classes are available, but I've never signed up for one.

I do use visualization and breathing exercises to get through visits to the dentist. Which lately have been happening frequently enough to almost qualify as a regular meditation practice. For anyone in the Cambridge area - if you're looking for a dentist, I can't recommend Dr. Anjelica Hartwig highly enough. She almost makes me look forward to seeing her - and how many dentists have clients who say *that* about them?

Anyhow, my "point of the day" - I just finished reading yet another meditation exercise, and I may or may not try it, but it intrigued me enough to bring it to your attention. I found it while reading the newsletter for Spirit of the Earth, The Living Centre which is a fascinating looking retreat sanctuary in London, Ontario. I highly recommend taking their virtual tour and have a great time playing around with the directional buttons. One of these days I'd love to take one or more of their workshops, too.

Do You Remember?

Today is November 11, Remembrance Day. This morning I joined a crowd down at the Cenotaph for the yearly ceremony. While I really didn’t want to get out of bed this morning, it wasn’t an option. I knew I had to be there to show my respect for our veterans, the fallen and also the soldiers who are currently serving. Watching the parade downtown brought tears to my eyes as it does every year. Appropriately, the weather was somber and wet. What would Remembrance Day be without rain? The news today reported that it even rained in Afghanistan during their ceremony.

I hate Remembrance Day. But I think I hate it for the right reasons. I hate knowing what our veterans have been through. I hate that so many young people have died fighting in wars. I hate knowing that before the year is out, more will be dead. I hate knowing that there is always a war going on somewhere. I hate knowing that there are people in the world who will make war or spread terror for their own gain. And every Remembrance Day I am asked to remember all these things. It’s very effective, that way.

Please understand - I am not anti-military. I have a great deal of respect for soldiers, particularly those who have served overseas and risked their lives for us. It is just that I wish they were unemployed. I wish there were no war zones, no dictators, no terrorists, no need to fight for a freedom we all should be guaranteed from birth. It is because I remember that I am a peace activist. I am working towards the day when humanity will learn to resolve our differences without resorting to war and violence.

I remember.