Dona Nobis Pacem
The other day at a spinning gathering, a friend noted that today we would celebrate Armistice Day, then corrected herself to say Veteran's Day.
I knew what she meant, although I was not born until well after Armistice Day. My parents used the moniker, and to them, as well as to my spinning friend, it once truly meant the end of war. It turned out to be only the end of their war. We have had several wars, *armed conflicts*, *military actions* and the like since then.
Somehow, we can't seem to get to Peace. I truly think Peace is what we all want. The way to get there is the crux: can we bomb our way to Peace? It is not a simple question, by any means, but I know my answer.
posted by Sara at 7:15 AM
9 Comments:
Dona Nobis Pacem indeed. I too remember my parents and grandparents calling it Armistice Day. Now it seems we call it shopping day.
The hat is beautiful.
Why is it that in a world of increased communication we have decreased understanding? Peace is, indeed, the goal, the dream, and the hope.
Gandhi believed if everyone learned to spin that would or could bring peace. Perhaps, if we all spun and wove for peace we might accomplish something, if only our own peace of mind and lower stress levels.
Here's another way.
http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/give-one-get-one.php
sorry for being ignorant-but are those words latin? peace is a strange word- it is always associated with war-people fight for peace-i.e. war. to me peace=war. we need to to figure something else out. instead of shouting for peace maybe we should speak out for non violence. peace is a double edged sword-i'll crawl under my hermit rock now.
P-E-A-C-E
Novel concept. Perhaps it is because humans are idealistic. Perhaps because of that we always need something to rise to which we will not allow ourselves to attain.
Conflict has become a way of life. Normal, mmmmmmmm.
If we were to obtain peace we would have to embrace the concept of all people are created equal.
The concept of all having enough to live a content honest life.
No greed, no riches but all with the same playing field.
In the '60's we marched, burned and cried. In '07 we are no closer, but are we wiser?
I hear news commentators say that we won the war, now we need to win the peace. How is that possible?? In high school chorus we sang Dona Nobis Pacem as a round and it sounded so pretty. If only~
One of the slogans for the movement to create a Department of Peace is "Peace is the destination, *and* the journey." That's why I cringe whenever I hear the phrase 'War on Terror' - I don't think it is possible for war to defeat terror - they are blood brothers.
Modern Western society teaches us to fight for life, to strive for success, to struggle to overcome or achieve.
It does not teach us to open our eyes and ears to beauty, our minds to the joy of difference or our hands to allow creativity to freely flow.
I have been known to wear the white poppy that signifies Peace on Armistice Day, the occasion that is intended to mark the War to End All Wars, but I cannot get past the irony any longer.
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