Saturday, May 02, 2009

LOVE

Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, you owe me. Just think what a love like that can do. It lights up the whole world.

The poet Hafiz

Peace to You an Yours with Love
Jerry

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Citizens for Peace had the Peace Awards Ceremony at our April meeting. Our guest speaker, Linda Chomin, wrote a column describing the evening. We are very grateful for Linda Chomin's support of our activities, and her positive columns in the Observer. We will not be the only community members who will miss her informative and hopeful writing.
If you would like to read Linda's column click Here

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Forgiveness

Forgiveness does not mean that we suppress anger; forgiveness means that we have asked for a miracle: the ability to see through mistakes that someone has made to the truth that lies in all of our hearts. Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness. Attack thoughts towards others are attack thoughts towards ourselves. The first step in forgiveness is the willingness to forgive.

Marianne Williamson


Peace to You and Yours with Love
jerry

Sunday, April 12, 2009

“We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started... and know the place for the first time.”
In my beginning is my end.

T. S. Elliot


Peace to You and Yours with Love
Jerry

Thursday, April 02, 2009

CITIZENS FOR PEACE ESSAY CONTEST RESULTS
The "Nonviolence as a Pathway to Peace" Essay Contest was initiated to promote the
Season for Nonviolence, Jan. 30-Apr. 4 as an ongoing memorial to Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi and their philosophy of nonviolence.
Because of your participation in this contest you and your family/friends are invited to attend the Awards Reception for the contest winners on
Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2009, 7-9:00 PM
Unity of Livonia
28660 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154 (n. side of Five, bet. Inkster and Middlebelt Rds.)
734-421-8782
This reception is open to the public as well with possible attendance of the Livonia Mayor, Jack Kirksey and State Senator, Glenn Anderson. The guest speaker is Linda Chomin, Health and Community Life Reporter for the Observer & Eccentric Newspaper.
The contest awards will go to:
$250.00 - Molly Fessler, Plymouth High School, Plymouth
$100.00 - Raja Al-Meraisi, Universal Academy, Detroit
$ 50.00 - Arthur Burse, Jr., Universal Preparatory High School, Detroit
$250.00 - Lauren Schwarz, Madonna University, Livonia
$100.00 - Annie W. Robbins, Washtenaw Community College, Ypsilanti
$ 50.00 - Kevin Edward Szawala, Wayne State University, Northville
CONTRATULATONS!!!
Rosemary Doyle, Education Director
Citizens for Peace Education Fund

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Peace to you and yours
Jerry

Saturday, March 14, 2009

SALVATION LIES IN RADICAL FORGIVENESS


Our salvation lies in radical forgiveness, which is the commitment to the perception of each others innocence. We are all innocent, regardless of what we are displaying at the moment. The fact that someone is not displaying their innocence does not mean that it is not there. By affirming their innocence even when they are not showing it, you literally bring it forth. Or at the very least, even if they are not showing it, you can no longer be at the affect of their lovelessness, because you have decided to perceive something else.

Marianne Williamson from A Course In Miracles

Peace to You and Yours With Love
Jerry

Saturday, March 07, 2009

COME ALIVE

Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive.

Howard Thurman

Peace to You and Yours
Jerry

Sunday, March 01, 2009

EveryONE is invited to our Citizens for Peace meeting on Tuesday, March 10th at 7 pm at Unity of Livonia. The topic is "Using Nonviolence to Create a More Peaceful World". I will share some information that I used in a presentation to the American Association of University Women at their convention last year. It will be a starting point for a group discussion on nonviolence. What a perfect way to celebrate the Season for Nonviolence! Please join us & bring your friends and family.
Peace, Colleen
SINCERE FORGOVENESS


Sincere forgiveness isn’t colored with expectations that the other person apologizes or changes. Don’t worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time.

Sara Paddison


Peace to You and Yours with Love
Jerry

Saturday, February 21, 2009

CAPACITY TO FORGIVE


We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Martin Luther King Jr.



Peace to you and yours
Jerry

Sunday, February 15, 2009

EMBRACE THE UNKNOWN

When you feel a new impulse, an uplifting thought, an insight that you never acted upon before, embrace the unknown. Cherish it as tenderly as a new born baby. God lives in the unknown, and when you can embrace it fully, you will be free.

Deepak Chopra

Peace to You and Yours
Jerry

Monday, February 09, 2009

Frederick Douglas

It is much easier to build a strong child than to repair a broken man


Peace to You and Yours
Jerry

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Love and Forgiveness

Love is the one main ingredient that holds us all together, Forgiveness is the means of removing emotional obstacles to the awareness of loves presence.

John Fetzer

Peace to You and Yours
Jerry

Saturday, January 24, 2009

FORGIVNESS

Many people confuse forgiveness with exoneration. Forgiveness does not excuse someone from doing something wrong. It does not alleviate their guilt or lessen their transgression. Instead, forgiveness accepts the past as it was, embraces the present, and faces the future. Forgiveness is a strategy for you to become free of emotional baggage. Hate, fury, recrimination, and blame weigh us down. The ball and chain of old wounds tethers us to the past and limits our ablity to move forward with vitality.

Ira Byock

Peace to You and Yours
Jerry

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Dear Citizens for Peace,
We are sensing the shift towards peace in this peaceful transition of power in our great country. MLK's son reminded us that "Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve." Thank you for your service to the cause of peace that you provide when you work on your own inner peace, when you take time to learn about nonviolence, when you listen with an open mind and heart to someone you disagree with, when you contribute your energy to the activities of the Citizens for Peace, and when you demonstrate peace to everyone you meet on this wondrous path of peace we are traveling together! I am honored to walk this peace path with all of you!
Peace, Colleen

Saturday, January 17, 2009

One day we must come to see that Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Peace to You and Yours
Jerry

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Observer Newspapers Reports Essay Contest

Today, the Observer Newspapers reported how Rosemary Doyle became a member of the Citizens For Peace organization and why she is committed to ways of creating peace and nonviolence in our world. Her commitment lead her to take a leadership role in initiating the Peace Essay Contest.

In the article Colleen Mills, Citizens For Peace president, said we want "...to raise awareness of how to create nonviolence through respect for others...."To read the column click here.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

ESSAY CONTEST - NONVIOLENCE AS A PATHWAY TO PEACE

Following is information on how to enter the contest to celebrate the "Season For Nonviolence".
Please join us in this celebration by entering.


Nonviolence as a Pathway to Peace

Citizens for Peace is sponsoring an essay contest for Michigan high school and college students to help promote The Season for Nonviolence. The Citizens for Peace is a grassroots nonprofit nonpartisan community organization whose mission is to create a culture of peace and has been active since 2003. (citizensforpeace11.blogspot.com) For additional information call 734-525-4326 or email arabdoo@earthlink.net

The Season for Nonviolence began in 1998 when it was inaugurated at the United Nations. It was co-founded by the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence and a group of ten ministers forming the Leadership Council of The Association for Global New Thought. Its purpose is to focus educational and media attention on the philosophy of attaining peace through nonviolent action as demonstrated by Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. The Season is January 30th through April 4th of each year.

DEADLINE
March 10 , 2009, Mail to: Citizens for Peace, Essay Contest, 31648 Pembroke, Livonia, MI 48152

CONTENT
How do nonviolent practices reduce conflict and create pathways to peace?”

Sample approaches: compare and contrast the peace efforts of two or more peacemakers; discuss the causes of violence and what needs to be done to reduce it; focus on a specific area of the world and discuss how violent conflict was stopped and what steps were taken to secure peace.

FORMAT
8 ½ x 11” paper; margins 1”; double space; 500 word maximum. List all materials on the last page of your essay, using the standard bibliographic format that you use at your school. Quotations must be referenced. Essay must be typed in English.

Your essay must show evidence of relevant reading and thoughtful use of resource materials; treatment of assigned theme; clear and effective language; and a coherent plan of organization.

RESEARCH
The sources for this essay must include at least two selections from the Peace Collection bibliography, which lists over 300 titles to select from. Most of the books are located at the Civic Center Branch of the Livonia Public Library. The complete bibliography can be viewed from the Citizens for Peace blog (citizensforpeace11blogspot.com) or at the Resource Desk at the Civic Center Branch. You may also view a partial listing at http://www.livonia.lib.mi.us/cfpcollection .

If you do not have Livonia Public Library Card, call 734-466-2491 to obtain one or to inquire about reciprocal borrowing privileges and interlibrary loan, available to most libraries in S.E. Michigan.

AWARDS
Both high school and college prizes will be $250, $100 and $50 each for first, second and third place.

Prizes will be awarded at the Season for Nonviolence celebration on April 14, 2009 at the monthly meeting of the Citizens for Peace in Livonia, MI. Each winner will be invited to attend.

COVER PAGE
List name, address, city/zip, phone number, email address, high school or college grade level and school name. If under 18, include parent/guardian signature along with yours.

Type the following statement on your cover page:

I am submitting an original essay to the Citizens for Peace essay contest, “Nonviolence as a Pathway to Peace” as they honor the Season for Nonviolence. I certify that this essay is my own work and that I have abided by all the guidelines and requirements of the Contest. I understand that my essay will not be returned to me and will become the property of the Citizens for Peace to use at its discretion in activities related to the contest. I further understand that the judges’ decisions are final and that if I am selected as a winner of the contest, I will be available for a photo for a press release.

Then, sign your name along with your parent or guardian, if applicable.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Unite for peace

Michigan has an opportunity to take part in a historical, inspirational and transformative day Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center. Two visionary leaders will be traveling from opposite corners of the world and the country, to bring us all together in an experience of uniting for peace.

Michael Bernard Beckwith, the dynamic African American pastor from one of the largest congregations of Los Angeles, and Gandhi Peace Prize winner Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, from Sri Lanka, will lead us in meditation, prayer, dialogue and song. Their goal: to focus our attention and intention on the possibility of creating peace and harmony in ourselves, our families, our community and our world.

"Dr. Ari," as he is affectionately called, has worked for 50 years for the "awakening of all." He emphasizes practicing loving kindness, compassion, service and equality. In his words, "We are one human society ... we are all members of one living world." His message is very important for all of us.

Michael Bernard Beckwith combines the power of Martin Luther King with a force that motivates listeners to have confidence that a unified, peaceful future will be a reality.

His 8,000-member Agape International Spiritual Center lives up to its name. Its congregation celebrates a love of humanity that seem boundless and world changing. With his wife, Rickie Byars Beckwith, who composes inspirational music and directs the 200-member Agape International Choir, Michael travels the world working for peace.

Maybe Michigan has more in common with Sri Lanka and Los Angeles than we think. We can follow the lead of Ariyaratne and Beckwith, and trust ourselves to make a better world, starting here. Sept. 21 is an opportunity to decide to not tolerate intolerance; to agree to recognize our common humanity; to support one another; and rise up together.

Come to EMU 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace. Join millions around the world. Make history!

Colleen Mills