It is time for an antidote to the widespread suffering associated with the protracted tenth anniversary of 9/11—which, apparently, the extreme religious right in this country would like to convert into a religious holiday for their brand of conservative Americo-Christianity.
The United Nations International Day of Peace is coming (September 21) in time to provide that antidote, and “Make Your Voice Heard!” is its theme.
There are many ways to shift your focus from a look back at destruction and loss to a move ahead towards peace and justice for all.
You can join a free global telesummit with famous peace activists from around the world, which is taking place from September 15 to September 21. Go to this site to register and to learn more about the peace builders (including Alice Walker, Deepak Chopra, Arun Gandhi, Paul Chappell, Reverend Bob Chase, and Rabbi Justus Baird) who will share their ideas by telecommunication during this week.
Singing is good for the soul and liberating to the heart. Sing along with the children who produced the winning song for the International Peace Day a few years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy7JcfPZtqo
And for those of you who remember Cat Stevens, who has become a Muslim and has taken the name Yusuf Islam, sing along with him at his International Peace Day celebration:
http://www.nme.com/nme-video/youtube/id/Q7iLPnDCQ1g/search/Yusuf
Finally, to bask in a brief and gentle feel-good message about peace–both inner and outer–go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z80vbhWjsEU&feature=youtu.be&mtcCampaign=16025&mtcEmail=64718728
and to see compassion in action, visit Sept11Families4PeacefulTomorrows and see:
Kathie Malley-Morrison, Professor of Psychology