Today's Daily Thought

Image by L’Enfant Terrible via Flickr

I subscribe to "Your Daily Thought", a newsletter that sends me a quote every day, along with a poem once a week. Most of the quotes I've posted here came from it. I keep a file of the ones I like best.

Today's quote is from Deepak Chopra:

Our most important task is to transform our consciousness so that violence is no longer an option for us in our personal lives, that understanding that a world of peace is possible only if we relate to each other as peaceful beings, one individual at a time.

Wise words. Huge challenge. Are you up for it? Remember the last phrase: "one individual at a time." Repeat often.

"I'm thinking of you"

Image by -l.i.l.l.i.a.n- via Flickr

Today at work, a customer came up to the cash wanting my opinion on a card she had picked out. A friend of hers had a grandchild, 3 years old, who had recently suffered a brain injury and wasn't expected to recover. The card she had chosen was simple, and while I can't remember the exact text, the message was basically "I'm thinking of you". Fighting back tears, I told her I thought it was perfect.

It seems as if the more people you know, the more often you find yourself in a position such as this. A friend is in pain of some sort, and you want to reach out to them but you don't know what to say. I'm not advising that you should go out and buy them a card, unless that is what you want to do, but in whatever way works for you, a heartfelt "I'm thinking of you" goes a long way. It may not relieve their pain, but it will remind them that they are not alone and that there are friends who care about them.

And the wall came tumbling down

Image via Wikipedia

I read this article in yesterday's Globe and Mail, which I would like to share. It made me feel all warm and tingly, and re-affirmed my faith in humanity.

From the article:

[Bella Arpad's] split-second decision in August of 1989 transformed this once-impervious barrier stretching from the Adriatic to the Baltic into something more like a bead curtain, and likely precipitated the events that caused the Berlin Wall to be opened on Nov. 9, 1989.

Monday's Berlin Wall anniversary will be celebrated around the world, but the real end of the Iron Curtain took place on Aug. 19, 1989, when hundreds and then thousands of East Germans were permitted to pour across the mined, fenced and fortified barrier at the Hungarian-Austrian crossing – in large part because Mr. Arpad decided not to obey his rules of engagement.

---

“We had very clear instructions to fire warning shots first, and to shoot individuals who tried to challenge us,” [Arpad] said. “I knew I would be in very serious trouble if I disobeyed. But if I fired, it would create a panic and a rush, and then we would have to use even more violence to deal with that, and a lot of people would be killed.”

Many factors came together on that day, such as political changes in the USSR, Poland, and Hungary, and of course the daring of the 150 East German people who decided to test the border, but it was the courage of one man who stood up for what he believed to be right that made the difference. The politicians were ready and willing for the border to be crossed, but no one had thought to tell the soldiers. Even so, this soldier chose to risk his career rather than obey a bad order, and that decision contributed to the fall of the Berlin Wall not long after.

And "they" say that one person can't change the world!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Hungary: the picnic that changed the world (telegraph.co.uk)

Quotes from my Collection

Image via Wikipedia

Mankind must remember that peace is not God's gift to his creatures;
peace is our gift to each other.
(Elie Wiesel, 1986 Nobel Peace Prize, born 1928)

Peace cannot be achieved through violence,
it can only be attained through understanding.
(Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize winning physicist, 1879-1955)

If you judge people, you don't have the time to love them.
(Mother Teresa, 1979 Nobel Peace Prize, 1910-1997)

Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things,
man will not himself find peace.
(Albert Schweitzer, French theologian and missionary, 1952 Nobel Peace Prize,1875-1965)

More House Arrest for Aung San Suu Kyi

Image via Wikipedia

In my last post I said that I wanted to focus more on good news, although I also stated that I would continue to post about things that had me upset. Today, I want to combine these two approaches into one post. I'd like to briefly profile a woman who is known for her dedication to the ideals of democracy, peace, and nonviolence, and to ask you to take action on her behalf.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been a hero of mine since I first heard about her, back in the early 90's. To quickly sum up her biography, she is the duly elected leader of the Burmese people (Burma is also known as Myanmar), a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, author of "Freedom From Fear" and other books, and has been under house arrest for 14 of the past 20 years.

Her house arrest has just been extended for another 18 months. This is widely viewed as a ploy by the ruling military junta to prevent her from winning the upcoming elections to be held next year - the first election since she won a huge majority back in 1990.

Some background from the BBC (this was written before the verdict was announced):
The choices facing Burma's military

News report of the verdict:
Burma court finds Suu Kyi guilty

Amnesty International (USA):
Online Petition

Avaaz.Org
Online Petition

Aung San Suu Kyi on non-violence:
Watch the video

I wanted to close with a quote from Aung San Suu Kyi, but it's hard to pick out just one, so I chose three instead. I recommend reading here for more of her words.

"The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit, born of an intellectual conviction of the need for change in those mental attitudes and values which shape the course of a nation's development. A revolution which aims merely at changing official policies and institutions with a view to an improvement in material conditions has little chance of genuine success. Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces which produced the iniquities of the old order would continue to be operative, posing a constant threat to the process of reform and regeneration. It is not enough merely to call for freedom, democracy and human rights. There has to be a united determination to persevere in the struggle, to make sacrifices in the name of enduring truths, to resist the corrupting influences of desire, ill will, ignorance and fear."

"Those of us who decided to work for democracy in Burma made our choice in the conviction that the danger of standing up for basic human rights in a repressive society was preferable to the safety of a quiescent life in servitude. Ours is a nonviolent movement that depends on faith in the human predilection for fair play and compassion.
Some would insist that man is primarily an economic animal interested only in his material well-being. This is too narrow a view of a species which has produced numberless brave men and women who are prepared to undergo relentless persecution to uphold deeply held beliefs and principles. It is my pride and inspiration that such men and women exist in my country today."

"Fearlessness may be a gift but perhaps more precious is the courage acquired through endeavour, courage that comes from cultivating the habit of refusing to let fear dictate one's actions, courage that could be described as 'grace under pressure' — grace which is renewed repeatedly in the face of harsh, unremitting pressure."

What the world needs now is more good news

Image by Denis Collette...!!! via Flickr

Tomorrow is my final exam for PACS 201: Roots of Conflict, Violence and Peace, so I’ve been busily reviewing as much of the course material as I can. (No, I didn’t just start studying today! But I’ve been trying to do a quick final run-through before the big day.) A couple of the readings got me thinking about ideas I wanted to post, and I really liked the way one thing led to another.

People successfully resolve conflict in a peaceful manner everyday, all over the world. It’s not news. In this light, perhaps it is a good thing that it’s mostly only “bad news” that gets all the media attention. After all, if what’s being reported is what’s uncommon, I’d rather it was bad stuff that was uncommon, wouldn’t you? The downside to this, however, is that what is reported starts to seem like it must be more common than it is, since it’s all we hear about, and this can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I am perhaps as guilty of this as the evening news. While I have sometimes posted about positive things that are being done in the world, it has been too easy much of the time to use this blog to write about the latest bit of bad news that’s got me upset. Which I’ll still continue to do. BUT. I want to balance the bad news with as much good as I can find to share with you, and I invite you to help me out by pointing me in the direction of good news items you’ve come across.

One of the people I learned about in this course is Elise Boulding. I’ll quote wikipedia to give you a quick bio:

Elise M. Boulding is a Quaker sociologist, and author credited as a major contributor to creating the academic discipline of Peace and Conflict Studies. Her holistic, multidimensional approach to peace research sets her apart as an important scholar and activist in multiple fields. Her written works span several decades and range from discussion of family as a foundation for peace, to Quaker spirituality to reinventing the international “global culture”. Particularly of note is her emphasis on women and family in the peace process.

She is considered to be one of the most influential peace researchers and activists of the 20th century.

I also found an interview with her on the Spirit of Ma’at website which I hope you will take the time to read. In it she talks about the vast numbers of people who are, right now, working for peace, and she says that if only more people realized how much peace work was already being done, it would “change world consciousness.” She wants us to be aware, and to share our awareness, of the good work that is being done and who is doing it.

I had already come up with my “let’s share some good news here” idea before reading this interview, so I read this as a call to action. Elise Boulding is just one of the people I’d like to bring your attention to. There will be many more. If you know of anyone you’d like to see mentioned in PeaceRipples, leave a comment here, or email me. We could all use a little more good news.

Types of Peace

Image by ginnerobot via Flickr

Peace can be described using a few different classifications. These definitions come from my Roots of Conflict, Violence and Peace course.

Direct or "Negative" Peace: This is the absence of direct violence, but doesn't mean that there isn't any conflict. An example of direct violence would be war, or any sort of armed conflict. The absence of such violence doesn't mean that people are content, though. A situation where people are oppressed but not rising up against their oppression (yet) could be seen as an example of direct peace.

Structural or "Positive" Peace: The absence of structural violence and the presence of conditions which favour human well being. Structural violence is unseen, institutionalized violence where you can't necessarily point a finger at who's responsible for it. Conditions which favour human well being include social justice, human rights, and ecological balance.

Cultural Peace: Comes from the transcendence of cultural violence, and often includes a spiritual dimension.

Comprehensive or Holistic Peace: Includes all aspects of peace - Direct, Structural, and Cultural.

Justicia for Migrant Workers

I recently completed a reflection paper for one of my courses, in which I focused on issues affecting migrant workers, particularly agricultural workers. In my research I came across this organization based in Toronto, Justicia for Migrant Workers. I wanted to bring it to the attention of anyone who might have an interest in issues of this nature. I found their website very helpful in my research.

Global Zero declaration for a world free of nuclear weapons

I have just signed a petition supporting the Global Zero declaration for a world free of nuclear weapons.

The risk of military or terrorist nuclear attacks is escalating daily.

But, at the same time, one of the best chances to rid the world of nuclear weapons is happening. A group of influential figures called Global Zero is beginning to persuade the nuclear powers that the only answer to this global security crisis is the elimination of all nuclear weapons.

Please read the email below and sign up by clicking here



Thanks!

----------

Dear friends,

Whether in the Korean peninsula, in unstable Pakistan, or in the volatile Middle East, the risk of military or terrorist nuclear attacks is escalating daily. Yet one of the most real chances to rid the world of nuclear weapons is happening and will be won or lost far from the headlines.

Next week in Moscow, Presidents Medvedev and Obama could make history by agreeing to reduce their nuclear arsenals and set the world´s course towards a nuclear-free world. A group of highly influential figures (1) called Global Zero has presented a four-step plan to achieve that goal and, though it seems incredible, they are successfully persuading the nuclear powers that the world is more secure without nukes.

What's needed now is a massive surge of people power urging the US and Russia to take bold these steps to achieve global zero. Click below to sign the petition and help deliver a deafening call to action. Global Zero leaders will hand it over to Presidents Obama and Medvedev:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/time_to_global_zero

For decades the disarmament movement has sought to rid the planet of nuclear weapons. During the Cold War, the efforts of citizens across the world played a key role in curbing the nuclear arms race, helping prevent nuclear war. But all too often their goal has been regarded as utopian and improbable.

Now, an alliance of the sound advice of security experts and the democratic force of citizens worldwide has a realistic possibility of achieving this goal.

Last April, Obama and Medvedev said they were committed to a world free of nuclear weapons. But it will require a massive concerted effort to press them to turn rhetoric into action.

In the face of a deepening crisis, the summit next week is a tremendous opportunity for human progress. Let's pile on the pressure to seize it.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/time_to_global_zero

With hope,

Luis, Alice, Ricken, Pascal, Paula, Graziela, Paul, Brett, Milena, Ben, Margaret, Raluca, Alice W, Raj and the whole Avaaz team.

(1) Global Zero includes former heads of state, such as Jimmy Carter and Mikhail Gorbachev, former foreign and defence ministers, national security advisors, and former top military commanders. More information at: http://www.globalzero.org/en/about-campaign

Sources:

IAEA Chief Warns Of Possible New Wave Of Nuclear Proliferation
http://www.avaaz.org/nuclear_proliferation

Global Zero offers plan to eliminate nukes by 2030, AP, 29 June 2009:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gSWX9EdJu8HH4xpD5AdAlSCkR_ewD994J2Q00

Putin Talks of Giving Up Nukes, The Moscow Times, 11 june 2009: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1010/42/378483.htm

Alert level raised on North Korea, BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8071175.stm

Scrapping nuclear arms is now realpolitik. Six security experts urge America and Russia to act today
http://www.avaaz.org/the_times_nukes

Full Global Zero Action Plan available at:
http://www.globalzero.org/en/global-zero-press-release-june-29

Free Euna Lee and Laura Ling

I received this petition from Care2's ThePetitionSite the other day and would like to bring it to your attention. Here's the letter they sent me:

Do you know about Euna Lee and Laura Ling? The two journalists were investigating human rights abuses of North Korean women when they were arrested by North Korean authorities. The two were recently sentenced to 12 years hard labor for "illegal entry" and "hostile acts."

Their sentence is much harsher than expected, which is why we believe that the regime in Pyongyang is using them as pawns in a dangerous game of escalating tensions with the international community.

Getting Pyongyang to listen is a challenge, but China is the major provider of energy/ food and may be able to use its influence to help free the journalists.


Please urge President Hu Jintao to act on behelf of Euna Lee and Laura Ling.

Thanks for taking action!

Samer
ThePetitionSite

Gene Sharp and the Albert Einstein Institution

So I'm currently taking a Peace and Conflict Studies course titled "Roots of Conflict, Violence, and Peace" by distance education and learning all sorts of interesting information. The materials for the current module I'm working on include a link to this site: The Albert Einstein Institution which is "a nonprofit organization advancing the study and use of strategic nonviolent action in conflicts throughout the world." I haven't looked around it too much yet, aside from the publications tab where you can download for free various books and information on the subject of nonviolence.

Today I was reading through last weekend's local newspaper and came across this article about Gene Sharp, the founder of this organization. He wrote a book, 85 pages long, titled From Dictatorship to Peace (I'm linking to the English version, not the Farsi version mentioned in the article) and it seems this book is a very hot title in Iran these days. I downloaded it tonight, although I'm not sure when I'm going to find the time to read it. I hope it helps change things over there. Apparently it helped them in Eastern Europe not so long ago.

Don't you just love synchronicity?

It's about time

Hello everyone! It's been over a year since I last posted. It's rather ironic - I went back to school part-time to pursue a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, and somehow lost all motivation to continue posting here. Finally, the motivation has returned, and I hope to build some momentum here.

I was doing some reiki work tonight, and decided to send some of the energy in the direction of North Korea. There is so much happening in the world, as I suppose there always seems to be. Anyone reading this who is a healer, I invite you to join me in sending healing energy to any and all who need it, particularly in areas such as North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sudan, the list goes on.

I'll be back with more posts, and I promise it won't take me months this time. There is too much work to be done. Time to get the ripples flowing.