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.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Saturday, February 09, 2008
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.
While you're at it, please add me to your friend list - please include a note saying you're a PeaceRipples reader.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
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.
"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.
Friday, February 01, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, January 28, 2008
GAZA RED ALERT
Have you seen the news about Gaza? I just signed a petition calling on the international community to help end the blockade and reach a ceasefire, take a look and add your name if you agree:
GAZA PETITION
Here's the letter from the organizers:
Dear friends,
Gaza’s southern border has broken open, 350,000 Palestinians are crossing it and Israeli retaliation is expected. The world must step in urgently to prevent an explosion – so let's call on the United Nations, European Union and Arab League to oversee the opening of borders, and to help broker the ceasefire which civilians on all sides desperately need. Please click below to sign the emergency petition -- we'll deliver it when we reach 150,000 signatures -- sign now and forward this email to your friends and family:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_end_the_siege/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK
The months-old border blockade of Gaza by Israel has finally hit crisis point. This week's blackouts caught the attention of the world, now the situation is slipping out of control -- militants have blown open Gaza's southern border with Egypt and Israel could act by force to close it.
The world can stop this crisis, and help save civilians on all sides. This isn't about taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: it's about 1.5 million human beings locked up in the biggest prison on earth. The blockade must be lifted and the border opened properly, with international controls to prevent weapons smuggling. The missile war between Israel and Gaza can only be stopped by a reciprocal ceasefire that Hamas stands ready to negotiate.
While Israel and the US remain committed to the failing siege, the UN, European Union and Arab League could step in to end this blockade, oversee open borders, and help broker the ceasefire which civilians on all sides desperately need -- so sign the petition and spread the word:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_end_the_siege/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK
The humanitarian crisis of Gaza is only getting worse, as patients die in hospitals for lack of care, and clean drinking water runs low. Palestinian militants are still launching missiles at the Israeli town of Sderot, and Israeli missiles claimed 35 Palestinian lives last week -- many of them civilian.
No genuine peace talks will be possible while this crisis continues. In the Israel-Lebanon war of 2006, we saw how global pressure and assistance can stop such a crisis and protect civilians from harm -- we cannot stay silent about the crisis in Gaza. Please add your name now at the link above, and forward this message widely.
With hope and determination,
Ricken, Paul, Galit, Esra’a, Pascal, Ben and the whole Avaaz team
GAZA PETITION
Here's the letter from the organizers:
Dear friends,
Gaza’s southern border has broken open, 350,000 Palestinians are crossing it and Israeli retaliation is expected. The world must step in urgently to prevent an explosion – so let's call on the United Nations, European Union and Arab League to oversee the opening of borders, and to help broker the ceasefire which civilians on all sides desperately need. Please click below to sign the emergency petition -- we'll deliver it when we reach 150,000 signatures -- sign now and forward this email to your friends and family:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_end_the_siege/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK
The months-old border blockade of Gaza by Israel has finally hit crisis point. This week's blackouts caught the attention of the world, now the situation is slipping out of control -- militants have blown open Gaza's southern border with Egypt and Israel could act by force to close it.
The world can stop this crisis, and help save civilians on all sides. This isn't about taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: it's about 1.5 million human beings locked up in the biggest prison on earth. The blockade must be lifted and the border opened properly, with international controls to prevent weapons smuggling. The missile war between Israel and Gaza can only be stopped by a reciprocal ceasefire that Hamas stands ready to negotiate.
While Israel and the US remain committed to the failing siege, the UN, European Union and Arab League could step in to end this blockade, oversee open borders, and help broker the ceasefire which civilians on all sides desperately need -- so sign the petition and spread the word:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_end_the_siege/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK
The humanitarian crisis of Gaza is only getting worse, as patients die in hospitals for lack of care, and clean drinking water runs low. Palestinian militants are still launching missiles at the Israeli town of Sderot, and Israeli missiles claimed 35 Palestinian lives last week -- many of them civilian.
No genuine peace talks will be possible while this crisis continues. In the Israel-Lebanon war of 2006, we saw how global pressure and assistance can stop such a crisis and protect civilians from harm -- we cannot stay silent about the crisis in Gaza. Please add your name now at the link above, and forward this message widely.
With hope and determination,
Ricken, Paul, Galit, Esra’a, Pascal, Ben and the whole Avaaz team
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Meditation Poem
I received this poem in my inbox this morning, and wanted to share it:
Meditation
To meditate does not mean to fight with a problem
To meditate means to observe.
Your smile proves it.
It proves that you are being gentle with yourself,
that the sun of awareness is shining in you,
that you have control of your situation.
You are yourself,
and you have acquired some peace.
by Thich Nhat Hahn
If you'd like to receive inspiring daily quotes, and a weekly poem, you can get them from the Daily Inspiring Quotes Newsletter. I've been a subscriber for quite some time now, and they send out some truly wonderful quotes.
Meditation
To meditate does not mean to fight with a problem
To meditate means to observe.
Your smile proves it.
It proves that you are being gentle with yourself,
that the sun of awareness is shining in you,
that you have control of your situation.
You are yourself,
and you have acquired some peace.
by Thich Nhat Hahn
If you'd like to receive inspiring daily quotes, and a weekly poem, you can get them from the Daily Inspiring Quotes Newsletter. I've been a subscriber for quite some time now, and they send out some truly wonderful quotes.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
A Belated Happy New Year
We're almost 2 weeks into the new year. How has it been for you so far? Have you broken all your resolutions yet? I've broken the one about exercising every day, but I'm standing firm on the "not buying sweets" resolution I made. If it survives the month, I'll be impressed.
Generally I don't really make resolutions, but I do like to think about how I'd like to approach the coming year. This year I expect to be quite busy with a variety of activities. I want to approach this busy-ness with a sense of peace. In other words, I don't want to get caught up in the motions and forget the reasons for what I've chosen to do with my time. I don't want to panic and get stressed, and in particular, I don't want to let panic and stress affect how I relate with others. Ideally, and I'm nothing if not an idealist, I want to bring a sense of peace to everything I do this year.
Wish me luck!
And in return, I wish you luck with whatever goals and resolutions you have made this year.
Generally I don't really make resolutions, but I do like to think about how I'd like to approach the coming year. This year I expect to be quite busy with a variety of activities. I want to approach this busy-ness with a sense of peace. In other words, I don't want to get caught up in the motions and forget the reasons for what I've chosen to do with my time. I don't want to panic and get stressed, and in particular, I don't want to let panic and stress affect how I relate with others. Ideally, and I'm nothing if not an idealist, I want to bring a sense of peace to everything I do this year.
Wish me luck!
And in return, I wish you luck with whatever goals and resolutions you have made this year.
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