- Peace Newsletters
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Reader's Favourites
We Must Civilize Ourselves - October 2009
If peace is to be achieved it must begin with each individual making a commitment to being peaceful, regardless of what the world offers. The battlefield that needs to be won is the one that exists between the 'events of life' and 'the meaning we assign to these events'. Only when we develop mastery over our thoughts and related emotions will we make progress in our desire for a peaceful world.
Don't Make Me Think For Myself - July 2009
Previously we lived under a hierarchical structure where a small group of religious and cultural leaders made decisions for us. Now we are being asked to share the responsibilities of leadership and to think for ourselves. This is an opportunity to access our freedom and power.
Suffering Is Optional - February 2009
As I stood on the steep slope, fatigued to exhaustion, chilled beyond belief, overcome with nausea and dizziness, I came to an important conclusion - I had suffered enough. This realization has served me far beyond the slopes of Kilimanjaro.
2010 Newsletters
Ask And It Is Given - August 2010
Last month I shared my journey to make peace with my day after my car broke down 'beyond Hope'. While this experience was a perfect opportunity to demonstrate mastery over my mental and emotional bodies, there is more to the story. This next part of the story is a powerful lesson about judging others.
Facing Adversity - July 2010
Last weekend I experienced an opportunity to face some adversity. In the grand scheme, what occurred was nothing. But in the moment the change was unsettling. All that happened was that my story about what I thought would unfold had been changed. It took me a moment to release my story of how the day could have gone and make peace with the day I was having.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves - June 2010
In my journey to create peace and joy I have come to recognize the power of stories. Both the stories I tell myself and the stories I allow to be told to me. I've learned that by carefully managing these stories I can create the experience of peace and joy at will. The secret to living joyfully is to recognize our role as a storyteller and to take full responsibility for the stories we tell ourselves.
Nothing Happened - May 2010
I've come to recognize that much of my suffering has been the result of allowing my happiness to be tied to things being a particular way. I held on to stories and expectations that, in the grand scheme of things, were really 'nothing'. By learning to see the 'nothingness' of these material possessions, by learning to see the 'nothingness' of insisting life show up in a particular way, I have been able to hold onto my peace and joy more easily.
What Do You Do?- April 2010
How do you respond when asked, "What do you do?" What is your answer? Do you hold the greater vision and own your contribution toward this vision? Or are you seeing only the task in front of you? Are you connected to your higher purpose? Or is your life mostly about putting one foot in front of the other?
Olympic Protest - March 2010
One of the lessons I've gathered from reviewing culture changing events is that all significant human transformations achieved success because of the power of the ideas they promoted and the integrity with which they were presented. Their actions were directed toward creating something new and better rather than on attacking and destroying what they disagreed with.
Is This Racism? - February 2010
In many cases broad, sweeping statements are made in these situations with the effect that we no longer consider these people as individuals but rather as one homogenous group. Implicit in the statements is that all of these people act the same, hold the same beliefs, and represent the same level of risk to our safety and well being.
Peace Is Not A Dream - January 2010
Maybe it's better that Mr. Obama didn't decide to end the wars in the Middle East as he received his Nobel prize because had he done so I, and others, could not have shared in the responsibility for creating peace; we could not have owned the accomplishment of achieving peace. His action might have again supported the idea that peace is the result of someone else behaving different.
2009 Newsletters
What is Our The Best Way to Celebrate Christmas? - December 2009
I've come to accept that Christmas is a grand smorgasbord of experiences and opportunities and that each has the potential to deepen my compassion, appreciation and gratitude of others, and to experience deep joy, love and peace.
If we are truly dedicated to creating peace, what is our commitment to peace? What resources do we dedicate to peace? Do we have a Department of Peace? Do we have a peace room? Do we have thousands of trained individuals dedicated to teaching peace? Do we dedicate a sizable portion of our government's financial resources to peace?
If peace is to be achieved it must begin with each individual making a commitment to being peaceful, regardless of what the world offers. The battlefield that needs to be won is the one that exists between the 'events of life' and 'the meaning we assign to these events'. Only when we develop mastery over our thoughts and related emotions will we make progress in our desire for a peaceful world.
- Faith or Fear - September 2009 We are in a time of accelerated change. The world as we know it is being transformed - economically, environmentally, and personally. The paradigms, structures, and beliefs systems that guided us in the past are being challenged. New ways of thinking and living are required. 'More of the same' will not work. But underneath all of the choices is one consistent choice - faith or fear?
I've learned that the creative process involves declaring my intentions and then surrendering and allowing life to support my intentions in anyway that is good for all concerned.
- Don't Make Me Think For Myself - July 2009
- Previously we lived under a hierarchical structure where a small group of religious and cultural leaders made decisions for us. Now we are being asked to share the responsibilities of leadership and to think for ourselves. This is an opportunity to access our freedom and power.
- Beyond Black and White - June 2009
- Life would be simple if everything were either black or white, good or bad, right or wrong. It would make decision-making so much easier. Life, however, isn't this way. It is filled with complexity and demands that we learn to consider, weigh, sort, and decide.
- The End of Suffering - May 2009
- Suffering is a valuable resource to assist us to overcome our resistance to what is and arrive at a place of surrender and acceptance which is the first step on the path of peace and harmony.
- Margaret Wheatley is an internationally known best selling author who has spent a lifetime studying the nature of human interactions and the impact they have. Wheatley contributed a list of the five conversations she feels we must have with ourselves and others for the sake of our future.
- The Audacity of Hope - March 2009
- I have just completed reading Barack Obama's book - The Audacity of Hope - Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream. What Mr. Obama offers is a willingness to dialogue, to consider ideas and perspectives, even those that are different than his own.
- Suffering Is Optional - February 2009
- As I stood on the steep slope, fatigued to exhaustion, chilled beyond belief, overcome with nausea and dizziness, I came to an important conclusion - I had suffered enough. This realization has served me far beyond the slopes of Kilimanjaro.
- Yes We Can - January 2009
- How we respond to the unpredictability of change is key to our happiness and future success. It is not uncommon to respond to change with fear and trepidation. Many respond to the change by resisting the change. Read a number of ideas and strategies that might assist you in moving through this period of change more successfully.
- 2008 Newsletters
- Secrets to a Peaceful Mind - December 2008
- Two powerful ideas encouraged me to develop a quiet mind. The first idea is that the physical body doesn't distinguish between a 'real' event and an 'imagined' event. The second idea was the discovery that most people think more negative thoughts than positive thoughts - about nine times as many negative thoughts as positive thoughts.
- Remember What? - November 2008
- The proliferation of poppies attached to the lapels of people passing in the street is a ritual we have engaged in at this time of year for as long as I can remember. But what exactly is the wearing of the poppy meant to signify? What are we being asked to remember on Remembrance Day?
- Imagine - October 2008
- Imagine if we used the electoral process as an opportunity to create. Imagine if we looked to elections as a time to share our dreams, to define our core assumptions, to identify possibilities, and to be inspired by the kind of country and community we might become.
- Some Assembly Required - September 2008
- A healthy and peaceful community doesn't happen on its own. It requires the thoughtful actions and intentions of committed citizens who behave in ways to ensure that we live in a safe and healthy community. A healthy and peaceful world too doesn't happen on its own.
- Lessons from the Street - August 2008
- There is a growing consciousness that using force to create peace does not achieve the desired result. Yet knowing what not to do does not guide us in how to respond to discord in a positive and peaceful way. What peace-making strategies might move us from divided and combative positions to positions of mutual trust and support?
- Beyond Black & White - June 2008
- This month's feature article was inspired by a conversation with a young woman who is struggling with her fear and anger, recent comments made by US President George Bush, and an interview with Professor Alan Young, Director of The Innocence Project. The second article shares thoughts about the childhood game of 'musical chairs' and the impact this game has on the kind of society we wish to create. Finally, a short video clip from my last Vancouver presentation.
- The Responsibility of Media - May 2008
- This month I share my struggle when I was invited to become a regular contributor to my local newspaper. I considered if my involvement would make me complicit in the disservice sometimes done by media. The second message explores the question, "Why People Suffer". I examine my own source of suffering and how to move toward peace and joy.
- What Keeps People Safe - April 2008
- In this newsletter I explore the question, "What Keeps People Safe?" This is an important question given the state of the world today. I also share the commitments made by individuals working with Martin Luther King to bring civil rights to the United States in the 1960's.
- Message From the Dalai Lama - March 2008
- In this newsletter I share the beautiful wisdom I received from the Dalai Lama in his public lecture on "Cultivating Happiness". The Dalai Lama answers the question, "Is force necessary to create peace?"
- He's Lucky to Have You - February 2008
- In this newsletter I share a powerful story about my son Joshua. The title of the story is, "He's Lucky to Have You". The story explains how all of us have something valuable to offer and that we benefit when we recognize the gifts of "being" as well as gifts of "doing".
- Living With Intention - January 2008
- In this newsletter I share recommendations when making New Year's resolutions. These recommendations are helpful whenever we are identifying and declaring new intentions for ourselves. These recommendations will assist you to live creatively rather than reactively.
- 2007 Newsletters
- Who's Responsible? - December 2007
- In this initial newsletter I share my desire to create peace. I explore the question, "Who's Responsible?" Who is responsible for creating peace, joy, and happiness. When we discover our power to experience peace, joy, and happiness, life becomes an act of creation.