Thoughts on society...

I live in (Southern) California in the United States of America.

I know that here, there is a sense of living in a personal bubble. We have our personal space. Take the grocery store....

I have noticed that people don't engage each other. They don't smile, they don't say hello or good-day. There is no acknowledgment that any other person exists.

My idea: To make it a habit smile and say hello to one person or more and smile and acknowledge, in some way, most everyone else when out in public.

Why: Opening a dialogue between people is one way to start promoting peace in our lives.

For instance... There are guys who sell newspapers on the corner of the streets in my town. Even if I don't buy a paper, I roll down my window and say hello and ask how they are. One guy in particular is a real treat to ask because he always says, "I am blessed." He asks how I am and I am always inclined to say, "I am blessed as well!" Seeing him, or any other newspaper fellow, now reminds me of how blessed I am. All of this from one connection a day!

Imagine the difference you can make if you reach out to a single person every day! (A tip: instead of saying "fine" or "okay" when someone asks how you are, find a bold word to use in its place. i.e. Awesome, great, blessed, fantastic, extraordinarily good, groovy, or fantabulous! And say it with a big smile!)

I dare you to reach out to one person every day!

What about YOU?

I would like to hear what peace means to you personally in your life. How is your life peaceful? How is it NOT peaceful? How do you think your life could benefit from some peace?

What about in your neighborhood or community? Your state or country?

What about the WORLD?

Where do you want to see Peace in your world?


I personally want peace of mind. To me that means a sense of purpose and direction. A knowing of why I'm here. I want peace for my town, there is gang violence here. I want peace between all peoples of the world. This is a glorious place and can be for everyone if we would just take the time to understand where we are all coming from and then make some compromises for the greater good. If we all acted peacefully and lived peaceful, non-violent lives what an even more wonderful world this would be!

I encourage you to envision peace in your life and for the world. Sit and think on it. Then write what it would be like. Get creative! Write a song or poem, make some other kind of art!

I encourage you to then share your creativity with others. You can share it here in the comments, or email me at senarae@yahoo.com with your ideas and art.

Thank you! And peace be with you always!

Let it begin with me!

One of my favorite songs of all time (since I first learned it when I was 10..) is Let There Be Peace On Earth. When I learned it I was in a youth chorus and even then it made me cry. It still does today. Please take some time and read through the lyrics and see how it touches your heart. If you're interested in hearing it, go to: www.blip.fm and hear Vince Gill sing it.

Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on Earth,
the peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father,
brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother,
in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
let this be the moment now.
With every step I take,
let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment and live each moment
in peace, eternally.
Let there be Peace on Earth,
and let it begin with me.

Words and Music by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller, Circa 1955

Make A Commitment

I made a commitment tonight. I committed to showing love and compassion to everyone I meet on Peace Day, September 21st. Of course my goal is to do that every day, but especially on that day I will try harder. Visit Peace One Day and make your commitment!


I also committed to being a Peace Activist a few days ago and it is a powerful experience. Taking time everyday to meditate on peace has kept it more and more in the forefront of my mind.


What will you do to make a commitment to peace? What do you do now? How can you do more? Think about it, come up with a plan, and then take ACTION on it!

Where is Peace?

Peace is everywhere!

Like at Target...

Check out me and the frisbee making friends tonight. --->


Where do you see peace? Not just the symbol, but anything that represents peace to you... where is it? In nature? In hugs? In smiles?

Where would you LIKE to see peace, that you don't now? How can you help bring it there?

Defining PEACE

What is YOUR definition of Peace? Here's what Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary has to say:


peace

1: a state of tranquillity or quiet: as a: freedom from civil disturbance b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3: harmony in personal relations
4 a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
5—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell

— at peace: in a state of concord or tranquillity



My definition of peace would involve non-violence, freedom from oppression, and living in harmony with ourselves, each other and the planet.

Please, comment and let me know what your definition of peace is!

I took the vow

http://itakethevow.com/home


I took the vow on Wednesday. The vow for non violence in my thoughts, speech and actions. I hope you will join me.

The more people that vow this, the more people practice it, the more the consciousness of humanity shifts and the sooner peace will come about.

So please, think about it and take action if you feel moved to do so.

Who am I?

Hello world!

I'm Christie. I am 26 years old and live near San Diego, California.

Since I was little (maybe 11 or 12) I have had the most idealistic goal I can imagine... to save the world.

It started as an urge to save the Amazon rain forest and the physical Earth. Now it includes that and also includes saving humanity.

I have gone through a transformation over the last couple of years and peace has become my goal. I have been told that world peace will never happen. That doesn't stop me from imagining what it will be like and feelings the love and kindness that I know is out there.

I believe that peace is possible and it starts with us as individuals, making the effort to promote peace and understanding within our lives and in our communities. This is one of my contributions to the effort. I will be posting soon about my other contributions!

Peace by Understanding Project

"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding." -Albert Einstein

This quote, and a blog post by Buz McGuire (here), have inspired me to take action on my dream. The quote and the blog post came to me over the last 24 hours. I cannot seem to get them off of my mind. My many thanks to Buz of the Viral Happiness Expansion Initiative for all of his wisdom and support, and @iheartquotes on Twitter, who retweeted @saucy_minx's tweet of the quote.

My dream is of promoting peace and understanding throughout the world. The Albert Einstein quote above inspired the title for this blog and this project.

So here is my blog, my project. I hope it becomes your project as well.