World Peace Day by Angela Brown
A
few weeks ago we were glued to the Internet, TV and newspapers
horrified with a tragedy that immobilized a city and terrified the
country…the sniper attacks. It was the topic of conversation at
work, at school and the gym. “How could a sniper (or two) exercise
so much power?”
And we wondered if the tables were
reversed, could a solitary person (or two) create as equal an impact for the good of
humanity?
Meet Don Morris also known as the self
proclaimed Peace Guy. Back in 1993, his friend asked him what he wanted for his birthday
on November 17th, and Morris altruistically answered “World Peace”.
Together they discussed the options of
how to proclaim World Peace and they decided that World Peace has to come from an
individual commitment from each of us. “Instead of just talking about peace, if we
open our hearts and our minds and lead first by example, perhaps we can each change our
own little corner of the world.”
Morris compiled his thoughts in the form
of a Peace Prayer and through the power of the Internet and his website www.PeaceDay.org, he brought countries around the
globe together to celebrate his birthday wish.
Thoughts from A Peace Guy’s Prayer
May the people on this planet be
changed from hatred to love, from greed to giving, from selfishness to selflessness, from
apathy to action, from jealousy to joy in the accomplishments of others.
Can we trade intolerance for
acceptance, destruction for construction, fighting for peace, and killing for the
protection of life? Can we change from censorship to freedom, ignorance to education and
instead of fearing our differences, rejoice in our diversity?
May we each take it upon ourselves to feed the hungry, cure the sick, house the homeless,
educate the illiterate, love the unloved, and compete to do the right thing instead of
winning at any cost.
Can we become heroes that teach our
children to make the world a better place by glorifying peace instead of war? Can we speak
out against things that are wrong, and demand honesty from our governments and ourselves?
May we each take responsibility for our own actions?
“I’m not a hero, just an
ordinary guy who splices cable for the local telephone company, I’m just doing my
part to make my share of the world a better place. And the world is bigger than just
people, it’s about all living things” Morris says. And to do more than just talk
about change, he works with youth groups in his city, and has personally donated over
30,000 trees to replace lost forests due to Hurricanes in Florida where he resides.
“Peace Day is not about money, and
we’re not asking for donations, just asking everybody to make a personal commitment
to peace. To show your support for peace, please wear a white ribbon all day, or drive
with your headlights on, and say a prayer for someone else.”
What started as one man’s
prayer…and birthday wish has turned into a grassroots movement and a global
celebration of personal responsibility. In 1995, Morris won the Australian Global Hero
Award for Peace and New Zealand held a Peace walk in his honor.
May peace prevail on earth…even if
for a day, and Don, wherever you are on Sunday, Happy Birthday!
Angela
Brown © 2003, Angela is an international wellness spokesperson and
facilitates lectures and seminars to assist people in becoming a
total package person. You can reach her at
Angela@WordsofWellness.com
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