Use #PeaceDay #21Sept to make peace a reality. https://t.co/TTIevxsWdG pic.twitter.com/znDH8oAEy6

— Jeremy Gilley (@JeremyGilley) September 7, 2016

“Awareness of Peace Day creates action—and that action saves lives.” ~ Jude Law, “Peace One Day” Ambassador

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International Day of Peace, on September 21st, is an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence.

An estimated 1.5 billion people have now become aware of International Day of Peace due to corporate campaigns, sharing stories, dances, prayer groups and activities, such as concerts and dances. Therefore, it is clear to see that there is huge potential for generating positive messages that plant seeds that will eventually blossom and create a more harmonious, equal, peaceful world for us all to exist within.

The day was first celebrated in 1982, and it is believed that due to International Day of Peace’s exposure—also known as World Peace Day—tens of millions of people act in ways that are deemed more peaceful to mark the day. Although it is only one day, this harmonious behavior has a rippling effect, as when we are at peace, everyone around us will also feel the benefit of our peaceful state of being. As a positive mindset is contagious, peace has the opportunity to quickly spread and also to linger.

As stated on Peace One Day’s website:

“To build a house, you start with one brick; to build peace you start with one day. If we can get the world together on Peace Day, 21 September, we can show that it peace is possible and sets the precedent for two days of peace and then three and so on. Peace Day is a window of opportunity for us to unite and magnify the impact of all of our efforts towards building peace—one day at a time.”

Here are a few very simple ways to get involved:

>> Light a candle, and pray or meditate for peace.

>> Go on a picnic, or cook a meal, and bring family or friends together.

>> Make peace with someone.

>> Share peaceful messages on social media.

>> Observe a moment of silence at 12 noon.

>> Follow International Day of Peace on Facebook

>> Call, text or write a handwritten letter to someone (or to many people) expressing peaceful intentions.

>> Create a poster to put up in your school, workplace or in a social center to raise awareness for International Peace Day—or pin up an image that encourages peace.

>> Learn more by watching a film or documentary (there are many on YouTube) that encourages peace.

>> Plant a tree to mark the day and to support a sustainable future.

>> Do a small act of kindness.

>> Take to the streets with friends and go on a peace-walk to raise awareness. (Alternatively, walk in the countryside either alone or with friends to feel harmonious with nature.)

>> Play peaceful harmonious music, almost 40 million people have listened to this one, which is encouraging to know there are peaceful vibrations of sound playing out all over the world.

>> Participate in one of over 600 organised global meditations, dances or prayers for peace. To do so, click here!

>> To raise awareness for International Day of Peace, an organisation calledPlaying for Change created a multimedia movement to bring about change and peace through music. To find out more about organised events to support this movement simply click on this link, type in your area, and check out the list of events and activities that have been planned for your area.

Below are a few quotes to read or to share to spread a message for peace:

“Peace begins with a smile.” ~ Mother Teresa

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too full to talk about.” ~ Jalaluddin Rumi

“The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Peace is always beautiful.” ~ Walt Whitman

“You have everything you need for complete peace and total happiness right now.” ~ Wayne W. Dyer

 

 

 

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Author: Alex Myles

Image: Twitter @JeremyGilley; Flickr/Dave Hogg

Editor: Yoli Ramazzina