Happy Birthday!

Today is the 50th birthday of the Peace Symbol. The following is taken from the Peace History Newsletter:

The peace symbol was first conceived in 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a Christian conscientious objector to World War II, as the logo for the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Holtom had originally designed the symbol as a cross inside a circle to be carried during a protest march against nuclear weapons to Canterbury Cathedral on Easter weekend. Some Church of England clergy complained about the use of the cross in a protest rally, so Holtom slightly altered the sign, allowing the arms of the cross to dip in resignation.
" I was in despair. Deep despair. I drew myself the representation of an individual in despair with arms outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya's peasant before the firing squad. I formalized the drawing with a line and put a circle around it."

Love, Yourself

I spent some time today looking around at other people's blogs. It's a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, reading other people's thoughts and ideas, particularly when there are other jobs in dire need of being performed. Yes, I did some of those other jobs, too, but I broke up the monotony of it with blog-surfing.

I bookmarked a few blogs that I may share with you another time, but for today I'd like to introduce you to Love, Yourself - aside from liking the title, I enjoyed the current post titled I choose... very much. It's about the difference your choice of words makes.... saying "I choose" rather than "I have to."

So, I choose to make posting to PeaceRipples a more regular part of my routine. Heaven forbid it should ever feel like a "have to" - I love this blog! The only challenge I've had is figuring out what to talk about. Suggestions are always welcome.

Happy Valentine's Day

As the song says, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love" or as another song says "All you need is love."

Take a moment today to reflect on all the people in your life, past and present, who love you and are loved by you. Don't forget to say, "Thank you!" for all of them.

Feed a Child With Just A Click

For any Facebook users here, I found this group I'd like to recommend. Feed A Child With Just A Click has over 1,000,000 members and counting. In addition to a list of sites which donate money to hunger-related charities for you to click on each day, there are lots of other suggestions for ways each of us can help out.

While you're at it, please add me to your friend list - please include a note saying you're a PeaceRipples reader.

New Songs For Peace

I stumbled across this site, New Songs For Peace the other day. From their website:

"This UNESCO-endorsed "New Songs for Peace" project is intended to encourage people to think about peace, talk about peace, and write a new song that we will collect and self-publish in a book. These new songs will promote peace, cultural acceptance and understanding for those who work towards peace throughout the world."

Over 100 free downloads of independent artists. I had a lot of fun looking around on this site. For Chumbawamba fans, they have a couple of songs on the list.

Know any song writers? Send them here - they can add their (peace) songs to the list.

Ripples of Peace

I've added a new section to this blog, titled "Ripples of Peace." It is meant to be a visual reminder of various "hot spots" around the world which need our attention. I ask that you take a moment, whenever you visit here, to have a look at this list and say a prayer or send some healing energy or whatever you choose, in the direction of these places.

At the moment, it's a short list, but I will be adding to it as news items catch my attention. I will probably be turning the place names into links once I decide on suitable pages to send you to for more information. You are invited to email me with your suggestions of places you would like to see added.

While you're at it, you can also email me any suggestions you have for what "peaceripples" means to you, and what you'd like to see discussed here. I welcome contributors!

Peace be with you.