Being Peace
“If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can blossom like a flower.
Everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Aloha, Talofa, Maiem, Namaskar, Ni sa bula, Selamat malam, Konnichiwa,
Haere Mai, An nyong, Apa Kabar, Fakalofa atu, Namo erea, Salam, Mabuhay, Nihau ma, Sa wad dee kha, Malo e Laumalie, Xin chao, Velkommen, Hello,
Zdravstvujtye, Kia Orana.
Dear Sisters in PPSEAWA,
What an interesting year and cause for celebration and gratitude and rekindling friendships. For those who attended the 80th birthday of PPSEAWA Hawaii in May, what a joyous occasion., as well as getting down to business with the Mid term Council meeting and moving forward in the amazing international organisation that is PPSEAWA .
I want to thank you most sincerely for taking the time to respond to the request for participating in the United Nations International Day of Peace and for sending information of your commemoration events. I hope you enjoyed reading the report on events in our various countries. Take a bow ladies for what you have achieved!
Thanks to Mary Cabrera for creating the beautiful “Platters for Peace” coffee table book which I am sure is to be found in many of our homes and those of our friends. It is a beautiful, enduring, publication. Thank you for your efforts Mary.
Paddy Walker continues to shine and has been rejuvenated after her knee operation to create more peace programmes & workshops. This time it was for The National Council of Women and the Youth Council, composing music and writing a book. Paddy’s enthusiasm and stamina is a tonic to us all. 90 is surely the new 60!
Our focus for 2007/2008 was “peace begins with me…” Keep this as your foundation stone always and be the potent power of example. We will continue this theme in 2009.
In 2009, let us build on what we have learnt and let us focus on our children and developing their characters … Love and kindness have a far greater influence than punishment upon the improvement of human character. A child must be patiently trained in the virtues - the gifts within …. quotes from Baha’i Education.
Create or use existing programmes such as The Virtues Project to guide and enhance the characters of these precious gems. Promote Literacy in your communities. Encourage the learning of your individual cultural traditions and especially language. The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow.
I send you “aroa” (love) from the Cook Islands to you and your families whether you are celebrating Ramadan, Chanukah, Christmas or simply the wondrous celebration of life.
May peace be with you! Fill your hearts with gratitude, happiness & joyfulness.
Ka reka te ‘ute me tano te kave’anga reo. (Cook Islands Maori language)
The melodious chant will be beautiful when voices are at the right pitch.
There are peace and happiness where there is harmony.
Kia manuia
Jolene Bosanquet
Ambassador for Peace
PPSEAWA International
peace [at] oyster.net.ck (peace[at]oyster[dot]net[dot]ck)
December 2008