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California, USA and OPERATION: Peace Ambassadors (a Campaign on the Net
Where We Can Work Peace in Everything We Know, Say and Do) (reposted at Justpeace with
permission). Website: http://emf.net/~swaaden/peacemaker/
The efforts of this Internet Express, with co-sponsorship of Community Peacemakers and its world-wide subscribers, are to spread the words of peace and its common threads of brother- and sisterhood in ways we can acknowledge and act upon according to our sense of mind, body and spirit. Each monthly posting, in digest format, will include uplifting and heart-warming articles, ideas and common solutions for everyday living. Each edition will also list thoughts and action steps on how to extend a hand in peace to those we do not agree with, how to acknowledge and disavow violence and hatred, and how to honor or work with individuals and community organizations that strive to balance cultural and racial divisions thru social justice.
We also encourage you to share the contents of each edition with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, spiritual centers, community organizations and anywhere "peace is possible". Just "cut
and paste", freely copy, forward and even print. What comes around goes around and we also
look forward to your contributions and suggestions for use in future mailings.
Please also note that the contents of each edition are drawn from world-wide resources, are correctly referenced and can be used for multiple purposes, such as in community and social conversations, in personal and public writings and for personal "warm fuzzies" that nuture the heart. Some are heavy in thought and may require a short and quiet reflection, while others can give the reader and even the listener, good feelings for their day's journeys.
***
For more information about our program's organizer, Community Peacemakers, please send us an e-mail = compeace@concentric.net and visit our web site. = http://emf.net/~swaaden/peacemaker/
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Items from the Heart in this Edition:
*1* BEAUTIFUL EXPRESSION OF UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES, Off the Internet, Geri &
Alfred Webre, Vancouver, BC, June 14, 1998
*2* MEMORIES OF BELLA by Susan Davis, Executive Director, WEDO (Women's
Environmental and Development Organization), 1998
*3* WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A LEADER by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
from Credibility: How Leaders Gain and Lose It, Why People Demand It,
Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco
*4* LEARNING TO BE HAPPY by Alan Epstein from How to Be Happier Day by
Day--A Year of Mindful Actions, Page 327-28, Viking Penguin, New York, 1993
*5* START THE DAY WITH AFFIRMATIONS OF DELIGHT by Mark Victor Hansen from
Out of the Blue--Delight Comes in Our Lives, Page 293, HarperCollins, New
York, 1996
*6* TO EVERYTHING A SEASON by Peace Pilgrim II from Enjoying the Journey,
Page 104, Blue Dolphin, Grass Valley, California, 1995
*7* OVERCOMING FEAR AND ANGER by Gini Graham Scott from Resolving Conflict
with Others and Within Yourself, 1990
*8* LOVE QUIZ by Leo Buscaglia from Born to Love--Reflections on Loving,
Page 290, SLACK Incorporated, New Jersey, 1992
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*1* BEAUTIFUL EXPRESSION OF UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES, Off the Internet, Geri &
Alfred Webre, June 14, 1998
1. ALL ENERGY IS LOVE
Everything in the Universe is composed of energy, and this energy is love.
All that we see and feel is an expression of love. Because love is
indivisible, we can love everything and everyone equally. Whenever we give
love to anyone, we give love to everyone, including ourselves.
2. INFINITE INTELLIGENCE
Within love is contained infinite intelligence. Love, the source of all
creative expression, is the essential power in the Universe.
3. ONENESS
Since the core or essence of everything is love, in the truest sense, we are
One. When we feel our connection to Oneness, we feel the power of who we
really are.
4. PERFECTION
Our Oneness is perfect and expresses this perfection in infinite ways. As
human beings, we are created and function perfectly just the way we are.
When we see someone or something as perfect, we know our vision is broad.
Our vision expands as our hearts open. When our hearts are open wide, we
see and feel perfection everywhere.
5. RELATIONSHIP WITH SOURCE
The way we view Oneness is precisely the way we experience life. When we
perceive Oneness as perfect, unconditionally loving and supportive at all
times, we experience absolute peace of mind and a life of total joy.
6. CAUSE AND EFFECT
We attract circumstances in our lives. The All-Knowing part of us, the part
that is connected with Infinite Intelligence, attracts every circumstance in
our lives. It does this so that we can feel the feelings these
circumstances arouse. When we open our hearts to these feelings, we access
our true power which is the power of Oneness.
7. FREE WILL
Infinite Intelligence allows each of us the freedom to choose, but only for
ourselves. We have the choice to listen and follow our Internal Guidance.
We always have the choice in each moment to align with our Inner Being.
8. MIRROR PRINCIPLE
Everything that we see and feel is a reflection of the present state of our
consciousness. This reflection is a gift, for it allows us to be aware of
the power of our focus.
9. ALIGNMENT WITH PURPOSE
Everything and everyone in the Universe has a purpose. We become aware of
our purpose when we open our hearts and feel our Oneness. When we allow the
inspiration of our life's purpose to fill our being, we find that our lives
unfold in inspired, fulfilling ways.
10. READING BODY SIGNALS
Our human bodies are magnificent instruments that tell us just how aligned
we are with our Inner Being. Comfort in our bodies is a signal that we are
giving love. The greater the comfort, the more we know we are giving and
receiving the natural flow of love. As soon as we notice our feelings we
can support ourselves by focusing our awareness on them, feeling them fully,
feeling love for them and ourselves. When we allow love to flow freely our
bodies reflect this flow of positive energy.
11. EXPRESSING WHO WE REALLY ARE
Each of us has talents we love to express. When we are fully and freely
expressing who we really are, we feel joyful and supported. Whatever we are
doing, we can always remember to come to peace with our feelings just as
they are. Peaceful acceptance of one activity opens the energy to begin
another.
12. GIVING AND RECEIVING
Generously giving and receiving is both natural and fun. A gift given out
of true love and generously creates joy for both the giver and receiver.
13. ABUNDANCE
Abundance is the free flow of love, which is all around us and in infinite
supply. The more we give and receive love and support, the more open we are
to all that represents love and support. The more we feel gratitude for all
that we have, the more open we are to receive.
14. MUTUAL SUPPORT
The Universe is a mutual support system. Every person and circumstance in
our lives is here to support us by reflecting back at us the present state
of our consciousness. When we love ourselves, we attract the loving support
of others. Connecting regularly with people who are willing to support one
another in unconditional love is empowering to all. As our ability to
unconditionally love and support each other expands, so does our trust in
the unconditional love and support of the Universe.
15. BEING AWARE
Our energy flow creates our circumstances. Our feelings tell us how we are
flowing energy. The first step is being aware of our feelings and releasing
any judgment we have. Then we can deliberately choose to flow our energy
toward what we want and experience joy and love.
16. WHAT WE FOCUS ON EXPANDS
The more we see everyone and everything as the perfect expression of love,
the more peace and joy we experience. When we focus on our positive
feelings we connect to our power, the source of our creativity.
17. NONJUDGMENT
Nonjudgment of everyone and everything allows love to flow. Opening our
hearts allows unconditional love.
18. MEANS AND ENDS
Means and ends are identical. The action and outcome are one. We create
peace by being peaceful. Inner harmony results in harmonious relationships.
We experience abundance by generously sharing our love.
19. LEADING WITH OUR HEARTS
Our intellect focuses our attention on the future rather than the present,
which is the only time there is. It is through our hearts and feelings that
we access our Inner Being which guides us perfectly at all times.
20. FEELINGS AND POWER
Our power resides in our feelings. The more willing we are to feel our
feelings, the more we connect with the power in them. The true power in the
Universe is a totally peaceful power. It is love fully, freely and joyfully
felt.
*2* MEMORIES OF BELLA, by Susan Davis, Executive Director, WEDO, 1998
Editor's Note: Bella Abzug was an example of world-class leadership, both
in Congress and the United Nations. She was honored for her championship of
the world's women, human rights, the poor and oppressed, and most of all for
her people-nurturing vision of a healthy, peaceful planet
BELLA taught these many lessons:
* Never work alone
* Coalitions still require leadership
* Giving is a gift
* Use the power of forgiveness
* Be able to admit you are wrong and change positions
* Learn the rules, master them, use them
* Be prepared - especially to improvise
* Never hesitate to tell the truth
* Stick to principles and don't fear being unpopular
* Politics without love is hollow, pointless
* Being diplomatic means being effective, not charming
* Cherish your relationships
* Love yourself
* Never fear leaping into the void
*3* WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A LEADER by Kouzes and Posner from Credibility:
How Leaders Gain and Lose It, Why People Demand It, San Francisco
Based on surveys of more than 15,000 people, the top four characteristics of
admired leaders and the percentage of people who selected them are:
* Being Honest = 87%
* Being Forward-Looking = 71%
* Being Inspirational = 68%
* Being Competent = 58%
High credibility leaders foster such things as greater pride in the
organization, a stronger spirit of cooperation and teamwork, and more
feelings of ownership and personal responsibility.
For example, here are some positive characteristics of credible leaders:
1. They do what they say they will do; they keep their promises and follow
through on their commitments.
2. Their actions are constant with the wishes of the people they lead; they
have a clear idea of what others value and what they can do.
3. They believe in the inherent self-worth of others; they learn "how to
discover and communicate the shared values and visions that can form a
common ground on which all can stand."
4. They are capable of making a difference in the lives of others--and
liberating the leader in everyone.
5. They admit their mistakes; they realize that attempting to hide mistakes
is much more damaging and erodes credibility; but when they admit to making
a mistake, they do something about it.
6. They arouse optimistic feelings and enable their people to hold positive
thoughts about the possibilities of success.
7. They create a climate for learning characterized by trust and openness.
*4* LEARNING TO BE HAPPY by Alan Epstein from How to Be Happier Day by
Day--A Year of Mindful Actions, 1993
In the best of all possible worlds, kids would go to schools and take
courses in language and communications, civics and history, natural
sciences, mathematics, cultural subjects and happiness. Each year, students
would deepen their understanding of what it takes to be happy, which paths
lead toward, and which lead away from, a life of fulfillment.
The point here is that you learn to be happy. Happiness is not something
you're born with, although the capacity to be happy is innate, and your
natural proclivity is to want to attain it. The difficulty comes when
people don't recognize this, when they develop the feeling that some people
have happiness and some don't, and then give up trying to develop their
ability to be happy because the imagine themselves to be members of the
second group.
Happiness is deepened through practice, through discipline, through staying
the course when you don't feel that you're making much progress. Getting
better at something is not a steady climb, like a rocket's. It usually
involves great strides at the beginning, and then slowing down, maybe even
what feels like a standstill. This is when you find the going more
difficult. It is natural to suspect that you've reached your limit, but be
assured that striving to be even more mindful, even more happy, will produce
greater results when the time is right.
*5* START THE DAY WITH AFFIRMATIONS OF DELIGHT by Mark Victor Hansen from
Out of the Blue--Delight Comes in Our Lives, 1996
This day will be delightful.
I am delighted to be alive, awake, and enthusiastic.
I am delight.
I see myself expressing delight all day in every way.
I live, thrive, and have my being in delight.
I delight to wake up with a smile.
I delight in all my activities, especially my work.
I share my delight with everyone I meet.
I expect delight in every encounter and it happens.
My delight invokes delight in others.
Delight is my birthright.
I cultivate delight in my life.
All that I am delights me.
All that I am becoming delights me.
I go from delight to delight.
I rejoice in delight.
*6* TO EVERYTHING A SEASON by Peace Pilgrim II from Enjoying the Journey, 1995
* Be aware, alert, happy, vibrant, alive, content, positive, have fun, be
appreciative, giving and receiving
* Be open, honest and trustworthy, dependable, available and constructive,
committed, gently strong, care, empathic, interested, sincere
* Be interesting, be a speaker and a listener
* Be non-judgmental, calm, pleasant, loving and open
* Be giving and understanding, while being true to yourself and others
* Be objective, share good will, use your inner intelligence, be
cooperative, concerned, and listen, be in the moment, thoughtful, be kind,
confident, free and open-minded
* Be decisive, courageous, worthy, responsible, reliable, respectable,
reasonable, patient, supportive, warm and flexible and come from a place of
integrity
* Be empathetic, firm, and kind and go into action
*7* OVERCOMING FEAR AND ANGER by Gini Graham Scott from Resolving Conflict
with Others and Within Yourself, 1990
1. When to Put Your Own Anger Aside
* Your anger is feeding the other person's anger
* You have already let some of the anger out
* It is necessary to work towards a further solution, rather than rehash the
past
2. How to Put Your Own Anger Aside
* Talk to yourself and tell yourself to stop
* Use other self-calming techniques and let go
* Propose that you both put your anger aside to deal with the problem
3. When to Listen to Someone Else's Angers and Fears
* The other person has intense feelings about something and needs to vent them
* The other person isn't willing to listen to you
* The other person has feelings of hostility or suspicion that are creating
an anger or distrust barrier to communications
4. How to Respond to Someone Else's Angers and Fears
* Listen calmly to what the person has to say
* Answer questions the other person has
* Even if the other person raises questions or responds with an angry,
hostile, suspicious tone, remind yourself to stay clam and respond neutrally
yourself
5. When to Let Go and Walk Away
* The build-up of anger and hostility is very great
* You find you are obsessing about the situation--you keep dwelling on it,
and when you do, you just feel more anger and frustration
* The emotional frustrations and angers caused by the relationship aren't
worth it
* There are no major reasons you need to preserve the relationship
* There seems to be no realistic way of resolving the problem and letting
go of your anger and distrust
6. How to Let Go and Walk Away
* Realize it's time to cut any past losses and leave them behind
* Remind yourself that the payoffs from the relationship are less than end
the relationship
* Give yourself the permission to let go and walk away
* Keep telling yourself it's over and it's time to move on
*8* LOVE QUIZ by Leo Buscaglia from Born to Love--Reflections on Loving,
SLACK Incorporated, 1992
Asking yourself questions and answering them honestly is a good path to
self-knowledge. In keeping with this idea, I'd like to propose a few
end-of-the-day questions for each of us .....
* Is anyone a little happier because I came along today?
* Did I leave any concrete evidence of my kindness, any sign of my love?
* Did I help someone to feel joy, to laugh, or at least, to smile?
* Have I attempted to remove a little of the rust that is corroding my
relationships?
* Have I gone through the day without fretting over what I don't have and
celebrating the things I do have?
* Have I forgiven others for being less than perfect?
* Have I forgiven myself?
* Have I learned something new about life, living or love?
If you are not satisfied with your answers, take heart. Tomorrow you get to
start all over again! If you will it, this is one quiz you can never fail.
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FOR COPIES of Past Editions, please e-mail us with your requests.
Our current library includes the following with representative examples of
the last (3) editions; also note that a complete listing of every article,
suggestion or quote that has been included in each monthly edition, since
May of 1997, is available by e-mail.
May 1998
*ANGER, Off the Internet, by Bill Menza, 1997
*SEVEN TRAITS SUPERACHIEVERS SHARE from the Ben Franklin Super Print
Newsletter, 1998
*BEGIN AGAIN, Off the Internet, by Collin McCarty
*CREATION BEGINS WITH IMITATION, INITIATION and IMAGINATION--GOAL SETTING
TIPS by
Powerline, 1991
*THE MEANING OF PEACE, Off the Internet and Forwarded by Tween
*PEACE PILGRIM'S WISDOM, A Very Simple Guide, Complied by Cheryl Canfield,
Chapter Eight,
"Bringing Your Life into Harmony", Blue Dove Press, 1996
*ALL ABOUT NERDS from the Secret of Charisma by Doe Lang, New York, Healing
Unlimited, Page
358, 1997
*A STORY TO LIVE BY, Circulated on the Internet, by Ann Wells (Los Angeles
Times)
June 1998
*DEALING WITH PEOPLE YOU CAN'T STAND by Dr. Rick Brinkman and Dr. Rick
Kirschner, "Changing the Way You Talk to Yourself, 1994
*HANDLING STRESS EFFECTIVELY, Health Issues with America On-Line, November 1995
*SUMMERTIME RANDON ACTS OF KINDNESS, Randon Acts of Kindness, San Francisco,
1997
*ATTITUDES by Chuck Swindol as FORWARDED by Ben Rude, Off the Internet, 1998
*THINGS WORTH REMEMBERING ABOUT WORK from FEELINGS--A People Relations
Program, by John Tschohl, 1980
*PATHS TO PEACE, Edited by John Matthews, "The Power of Love", by Beatrice
of Nazareth, 1992
*TEEN SELF-DISCOVERY by Doc Lew Childre, "The Ultimate Dream", Planetary
Publications, 1992
*SIMPLE THOUGHTS FORWARDED BY FRIENDS OF SHREE MA, Off the Internet, 1998
July 1998
*FRIENDS, Off the Internet, June, 1998
*TALKING WITH YOUR CHILD ABOUT A TROUBLED WORLD, by Lynne S. Dumas, Chapter
on Racism and Prejudice, Fawcett Columbine, 1992
*ATTITUDE AND STRESS, Off the Internet, AOL, Health Responsibility Systems,
November 5, 1995
*LIFE'S LITTLE TRUISMS--INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE, Off the Internet, June 1998
*SELF-DISCOVERY ABOUT ME, by Community Peacemakers, Summer, 1998
*SYMPTOMS OF INNER PEACE, by Saskia Davis, May, 1995
*PERSONAL FORGIVENESS, Off the Internet, by William Menza, March 1998
*HEALING UNLIMITED, "Saying No Isn't Easy, But It's Important", By Giesele
Richardson, Boardroom Classics, 1997
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