Alliterations for Peace

I have always enjoyed alliterations. Artistically speaking, a sentence or phrase which contains a repeated consonant sound has a poetic or even musical quality to its message. On the practical side, alliterations offer a clever way to call attention to, and more readily remember, a particular piece of information.

In my research for effective ways to promote a dialogue of peace in and among our own communities, I have come across some wonderful ideas, organizations and events which I have dubbed “Alliterations for Peace". The existing efforts inspired me to do a bit of brainstorming of my own ... and the product of my research, coupled with a few ideas garnered from my brainstorming, produced this list below.

Parents for Peace
Peace through Pie
Pennies for Peace
Peace of Pizza
Picnics for Peace
Planning for Peace
Planting for Peace
Postcards for Peace
Potlucks for Peace

In our Mothers Institute Anti-War, Pro-Peace Moms group, we're discussing how these Alliterations for Peace can help unite those already working for peace with others who are newer to the movement as well as introducing basic concepts and efforts to those not yet unfamiliar with peace-promoting endeavors  -- hopefully with great results. There is something very doable and pleasant about these types of community efforts and events (i.e. pie socials, pizza parties, postcard writing campaigns, community potlucks, etc..) as they provide opportunities for discussing/promoting peace in a very peaceful manner.

And of course there's nothing wrong with having plenty of anti-war, pro-peace literature sitting right next to the pies and pizzas.   :-)      ~ Jan

The Four E's: Enlightenment, Education, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship

My online research often takes me to interesting websites chock-full of valuable information on a variety of subjects -- and of course good information can, more often that not, be applied to many areas of one's life.  For example, I was reading about self-reliant living when I came across a list I've personally dubbed "The Four E's". 

The list was presented on the Self-Reliance Works website in response to answers they'd received from a questionnaire they had put together for their readers. The questionnaire summarily asked: "What is the hardest thing for you in regards to putting together and implementing a preparedness plan". 

The gist of the combined answers was interesting (and in many ways pertinent to what we anti-war, pro-peace advocates might experience in some circles) -- people's biggest frustration was the lack of support, and downright “you’re crazy” attitude of their immediate and extended families. 

The author of the list contemplated how best to address such a universal concern as “What can I do to convince others…?” and came up with what I now call The 'Four E's".  I think it's worth a look for anyone involved in any kind of activism or movement when working to educate, persuade, and bring a unique perspective on a particular subject to the table.   
                                 
Jan

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The Four E's

1. Enlightenment: The prominent meaning of enlightenment is awareness, understanding. To me this suggests that we should be continuously aware of what is going on in the world, prepare as we see fit, and yet, be understanding of those who don’t agree with us.
2. Education: Synonyms – Learning, improvement, guidance, preparation. This applies to everyone at all times — continuous learning and preparation. Seeking guidance and self-improvement. Ultimately we are responsible only for our own education in life.
3. Empowerment: Synonyms – consent, permission, acceptance, acknowledgment. Definition – to give power or authority to. This works two ways. Give power to others to act as they choose, but most importantly, give yourself permission to make your own decisions, with or without the support of others. Accept that they may never “get on board” with your preparedness plans, but choose to prepare for yourself and family regardless.
4. Entrepreneurship: Definition - person who organizes and manages any enterprise usually with considerable initiative and risk. These synonyms are appropriate: organizer, producer, promoter. And if YOU are the organizer, the manager, promoter and producer, so be it. YOU will be prepared. YOU will sleep at night without worry. ~ by Joan Crain

List source: http://www.self-reliance-works.com/2011/05/self-reliance-with-or-without-support/#more-20114

Activist or Supporter: A Shared Struggle with Shared Solutions

Whether you’re a rabble-rousing, protest-marching, demonstration-planning activist or a home-educating, pie-baking, letter-to-the-editor writing supporter of the Anti-War, Pro-Peace Movement, you and I share in this struggle and seek solutions that will produce a more peaceful life and world. 

Whether your style is more vocal or less visible ... whether your participation is on the national stage or at the community park  ... whether your efforts reach hundreds of thousands or just those in your neighborhood – you can make a difference. We all can make a difference.

No one technique for opposing war and promoting peace is the single correct technique, no one solution is the only viable solution, no one effort is any more important than the other.  Activist or Supporter (or somewhere in between) all of us matter in this movement, all of our effort’s complement each other and together we lighten each others' load in the task that is before us.

Jan

 

"Weapons of Mass Instruction" ... Anti-War, Pro-Peace Reading for Children

I came across the following list of reading materials for children of all ages which was created from the contributions of librarians, educators, parents and young readers.
I love the title, "Weapons of Mass Instruction" -- as a well conceived/catchy phrase is essential in capturing the importance of a message, mission and movement.

Check out the list at: http://www.sol-plus.net/peace.htm

Jan

Pacifism vs. Anti-War, Pro-Peace, Pro-Defense

Pacifism as defined by Webster:

1: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes; specifically  refusal to bear arms on moral or religious grounds

2: an attitude or policy of nonresistance

I do not consider myself a pacifist -- but I am anti-war and pro-peace based on the non-aggression principle i.e I oppose the initiation of force and fraud. 

In keeping with the non-aggression principle, I would not consider myself anti-defense, but rather pro-defense -- as once force has been initiated upon me or my family, etc.. I would defend myself, my family, and my country using force if necessary.

There is no denying the mother-bear-defending-her-cubs instinct runs deep.

Jan

Picnics for Peace: Generating Shared Positive Experiences

I recently read an article that mentioned the documentary, 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama, and how in that documentary the Dalai Lama suggested simple solutions for a more peaceful world in troubled times -- gatherings such as picnics and festivals where presented as genuine tools to bring people together.

Often war and peace are thought of  in abstract terms -- or as something that is determined only through high level meetings involving political leaders on a national or global scale. But as the article went on to explain, people don't live in the abstract or on the national or global scene -- but rather they live in the every day of their individual lives. So to address the larger problems of war and find solutions toward peace, we are wise to meet people where they live through and among their everyday lives and experiences.

This brings us back to the basics and clarifies the wisdom in and beauty of organizing local events such as Picnics for Peace.

I'm working on a plan for that now  :-)

More to follow shortly ...

Jan

Peace Through Pie

With a desire to unite the Anti-War, Pro-Peace Mothers' Movement, I have been enjoying the process of researching various efforts, individuals, groups and organizations whose goals are similar to mine.

In the process, I came across the following effort, Peace Through Pie, and  immediately liked the idea of hosting a Pie Social as a venue for opening up a community dialogue on peace through peaceful  means (envisioning anti-war, pro-peace literature scattered around on all the tables for people to pick up, review and discuss at their leisure).

Here's more about this effort:

Peace Through Pie is an expression of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream of a "Beloved Community", where everyone shares a piece of the pie. PTP's mission initiates and encourages conversation about the values we share and our ability to make peace with our neighbors. The pie, an age-old comfort food in many traditions around the world, symbolizes an inclusive equality with its circular form and diverse ingredients.

Peace Through Pie invites neighborhood associations, churches, schools, businesses, organizations, and individuals to host Dream Pie Socials, following a rich, historic precedent of hosting pie socials to benefit worthy causes. All it takes is one dream pie (any pie can be a dream pie if served with that intention) ...

Become a Pie-☮-neer for peace and celebrate Dr. King's January birthday, or host a pie social any day of the year. Everyone is invited to share their stories and imagine new ways to realize the Dream, one piece at a time.

Anyone interested can visit their website at http://www.peacethroughpie.org/

Jan