The Peace Movement.

For many Americans of my generation the “Peace Movement” conjures up images from the late 1960’s.  You know the ones I mean.

Not just Woodstock. I’m thinking more along the lines of: Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out…Make Love, Not War…Hell NO, we won’t go…John naked in bed with Yoko…and 19 year old National Guard soldiers pointing loaded rifles at 19 year old college students. 

One of the more unfortunate results of the 60’s Peace Movement was the atrocious reception of the men and women of our armed forces who returned from serving our country.  Those who fought in the VietNam War, as well as those who served in uniform in any capacity.

Fast forward to now. 
To him.

  
The Teamster’s son SPY.
His initials, not necessarily his occupation. He is serving with the United States Air Force in Afghanistan. You might be able to understand why a 2009  “Peace Movement” makes me feel a little uncomfortable.

Back in the 60’s the American military was partially staffed by the draft.  Today, it is all elective. Our military men and women have signed up to serve their country and protect our way of life by their own volition.

I know many people (here in the socialist mecca of a village I live in,) who say they are against the war, but they support the troops.  To me that sounds similar to someone being supportive of the players on a baseball team, but not wanting them to win the game.

I fully support not only our military…but also our involvement in the conflict in Afghanistan. My reasons have a lot to do with the Taliban, the rights of women and the published goals and objectives of Al Qaeda.

I want there to be Peace on Earth.
But I know that we can not always stand idly by.
I know that there are reasons for war.

There are things worth fighting for.
There are people worth protecting.

I don’t want war.
I want Peace.

On 05 November, a small army will be blogging with Peace Globes. You can learn all about this Peace force here.  You can get a template to make a Peace Globe of your very own. 

Let there be Peace on Earth.
and let it begin with me.

The Peace Globe and Blog Blast for Peace are inspired by Mimi, the ruling Queen of Memes. I am honored to wear the Badge.
 

every post, tweet, and Facebook update worth a penny to Beat Cancer toward a Guinness record.

One day only!

eBay/Paypal and Miller Coors donating a penny for every mention of  #BeatCancer.

check it out here on Mashable…
…and here at BeatCancer.

Oscar….have some popcorn

I came across a few things in my reader this morning…

Do you know what today is?

It is National Grouch Day.

sing along with Oscar here….

Oh, I love trash!
Anything dirty or dingy or dusty
Anything ragged or rotten or rusty
Yes….I love….trash

Then I kept reading and it turns out today is also National Latino Aids Awareness Day.  NLAAD…got a website and everything.

Now I realize there are only 365 days in a year….well most years…and about 365 million causes and celebrations….plus you gotta save Christmas and Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Days as they were intended.  And yes…those of you above our northern boarder and across the pond…you got your own special calendar.

So, I did as I am wont to do and googled it all… turns out the 15th of October is also:

National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day
National White Cane Safety Day
Get To Know Your Customers Day…and
International Credit Union Day

In addition this WEEK is:
National School Lunch Week
National Chestnut Week
Emergency Nurses Week
World Rainforest Week
…to name a few….

not to mention that October is:
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Popcorn Popping Month
Sausage Month
Vegetarian Month
Wishbones for Pets Month
Raptor Month
Positive Attitude Month…and
National Sarcastic Awareness Month
(also a very partial list)

You can view one of the listings here.

I figure there is a cause for celebration or a cause to fight for…for just about everyone today.  I’m going to pop corn and sing about trash….how about you?

Peace on the horizon….

Almost two years ago, I first participated in the Blogblast for Peace.   Posting a Peace Globe and expressing the desire: Dona Nobis Pacem.

November 5th will be the third anniversary of the Peace Globe inspired by Mimi Lenox. Peace Globes have been posted by 48 different countries…and almost all the states in our nation. If you’d like to know how the whole thing began, you can read her story.

If you’d like to post your own Peace Globe the templates can be found here…and there are several people who have graciously offered to help you personalize yours if need be.  Peace Bloggers are on FaceBook and Twitter….as well as iPeace and Blogger Unite.

I thought I’d repost my first offering from two years ago…as it is still my prayer.

I know Peace.
Peace of heart which makes you sigh.
Peace of mind that is contentment.

The Peace that transcends understanding.

My life is not always Peaceful.
Too often it is contentious.
And…I have not always been in the right.

Peace can be elusive.

I see it…there… the brass ring…there…just out of my grasp…there…I reach for it frantically…there…while I whirl on this carousal…around and around…there…my fingers clutch and I am wrenched off.

In the dark, I search for Peace as if blind…my fingertips sweeping the air at the radius of my arms…extending…sweeping…until (more often than not) I crack my shin and bruise my knee as I trip over the Peace which was in front of me all the time.

Make it peaceful where you are.
Make peace with those around you.
(I’m not saying agree or acquiesce.)
I am wishing common ground to establish peace.

In these days when we say Peace…too often one thinks of War…with the constant coverage and never ending armchair commanders in chief…so….yes…

World Peace
Give Peace a Chance
Let there be Peace on Earth…
and let it begin with me.

For my children (who are adults)
my heartfelt prayer is that you have Peace.

Peace of Heart
Peace of Mind
Peace of Soul

To breath without anxious thoughts
To recognize that you don’t always need what you don’t have.
To appreciate the beauty of the small thing
To be grateful for love
To live in a home that is your haven
To have sanctuary for your soul
To be content
To have Peace.

frolicking in The Wave