at the end of my day, i often ask myself, what was the theme for today? on this day, january 11, it was peace. with all the things that are happening in gaza right now, it was sad. and yet it was good. i am so grateful for all the good friends here on twitter who work and think and feel together for peace.
here are some tweets:
@intrepidteacher after reading your last tweets, can we throw #peace bombs into the middle east? what would they look like? half a minute ago from Power Twitter in reply to intrepidteacher
thich nhat hanh on treating anger with tenderness. useful for gaza? #peace about 8 hours ago from Power Twitter
@CarolSill has some sort of built-in harmony GPS. in a chaotic environment of strife, control and disinterest, she always locates love. about 10 hours ago from Power Twitter in reply to carolsill
just finished a lovely phone conversation with @CarolSill. talk about someone who embodies peace. about 10 hours ago from Power Twitter
more bob marley: “If you get down and quarrel everyday, you’re saying prayers to the devil, I say ” about 11 hours ago from Power Twitter
@intrepidteacher likely we need both, freedom/justice fighters and peace workers. my talents are probably best used for the latter. about 12 hours ago from Power Twitter in reply to intrepidteacher
is there someone to whom you can send good wishes even though they’re not your favourite? a story of hurt you can stop retelling? about 12 hours ago from Power Twitter
is there someone in your life right now who you can forgive? meet them a bit more than half-way? forget their transgressions? let go? about 12 hours ago from Power Twitter
or never mind “i would”. how can i demonstrate peace right now? how can we here, right now, demonstrate, live, embody the power of peace? about 12 hours ago from Power Twitter
if there was a demonstration for peace, an event demonstrating peace, i’d be there. about 12 hours ago from Power Twitter
how about translation: “i don’t stand for israel’s side, i don’ t stand for palestine’s side. i stand for the side of peace.” about 12 hours ago from Power Twitter
bob marley: “i don’t stand for the black man’s side, i don’ t stand for the white man’s side. i stand for god’s side” about 12 hours ago from Power Twitter
yes! rastaman vibration is positive! about 12 hours ago from Power Twitter
all of this reminds me of a post from a little while ago, understanding war, and a comment conversation there with alex, probably THE blogger i associate with peace. we talked about “articles of war” and the salvation army’s articles of war came to my attention. i’ve experimented with translating some of them for secular purposes. do you find them useful?
* be responsive to the goodness calling to us every day, growing in grace through celebrating peace, prayer or reflection, being of service to humanity and constantly learning and understanding better what goodness means
* make the values of goodness the standard for my life
* uphold integrity in every area of my life, always being aware how thought, word or deed influences everything within and around me
* maintain the ideals of goodness and peace in all my relationships with others: my family and neighbours, my colleagues, those to whom and for whom I am responsible, and the wider community
* affirm the sacredness of close bonds, such as family and good friends
* be a faithful steward of my time and gifts, my money and possessions, my body, my mind and my spirit
* be faithful to the positive potential in humanity, sharing the news of goodnes, endeavouring to win others to peace, and in the name of goodness and peace showing compassion and kindness to all created beings
* be actively involved, as i am able, in the life, work, and community of those who are likeminded, giving as large a proportion of my income as possible to support good causes
* show the spirit of goodness and peace whether in times of popularity or persecution