Countdown to International Peace Day has begun

The more we hear about war, the more peace is on my mind, and I know I’m not alone.

People all over the world are thinking about, planning for and committing to peace. We don’t often hear about the others who have the same commitment we do, but there are special days when we become aware of it, and one of those days is just around the corner. Sept. 21 is International Peace Day.

In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution establishing the International Day of Peace devoted "to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples." Last year on Sept. 21 there were more than 3,500 events in more than 200 countries around the world. This year will be even larger.

I haven’t heard about any local events celebrating Peace Day in previous years, but this year we have an event planned. From 7-9 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Center for Peaceful Living on Edlund Road in Wasilla we will be having a time of sharing, reflection, music, a bonfire and food. One of the highlights of the event will be a short video by Neale Donald Walsch explaining five steps we can all take to move toward peace. As in his well-known books in the Conversations With God series, his ideas are mind-stretching, heart-opening and inspiring. For more information or directions, call 373-3044 or visit www.center4peacefulliving.org. You can also learn more about what is happening around the world at www.internationaldayofpeace.org.

Thinking about peace on only one day of the year is probably no more meaningful than remembering our mothers only on Mother’s Day. But special days for focusing on a particular topic can be extremely valuable. Mother’s Day can help us remember how grateful we are for all the nurturing we received from our mothers and motivate us to forgive any petty grievances we may carry. International Peace Day can help us realize that peace is possible when enough of us around the world commit to it. Simply realizing we are part of a huge community comprised of millions around our home planet that are planning peace events, holding vigils, praying and singing for peace and committing to personal acts of peace and kindness inspires feelings of hope and determination to make this a daily commitment, not just a yearly remembrance.

I hope many of you will decide to join us Sept. 21, but if you can’t I encourage you to participate in some other way. You might hold an event of your own at your home or in your church. You could take time to pray or meditate that peace will prevail. You might make a personal commitment to live more peacefully yourself. If you have children, I hope you will include them in whatever you plan to do. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to move toward a world where they can live in peace, without fear and with respect among all the world’s peoples?

As we think about our commitment to peace, let’s not forget the Earth and all beings that share this Earth with us. We cannot live peacefully unless we enlarge our circle of respect and compassion to include the oceans and all life in the oceans, the air and all winged creatures, and the land and the multitudes of plants and animals that make their home on land. For peace to prevail here, we must live from a place of respect for all life.

The countdown toward peace has begun. As of today there are 10 days until Sept. 21. How many days are there until we want peace badly enough that we make it our highest priority? When that day comes, peace will prevail on Earth!

Delisa Renideo is the director of the Center for Peaceful Living in Wasilla. www.center4peacefulliving.org. She can be reached at 373-3044.