IN FOUR DAYS ...

Join members and endorsers of The Decade of Nonviolence for an evening of peacemaking through fellowship and fun. Fellowship and Fun do go together. We'll laugh and smile as we share our work and our aspirations of building cultures of peace. There will also be an auction to raise money for Decade Programs in 2010. Some auction items come from a place that epitomizes peace ---

 

http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/

Ten Thousand Villages works with over 130 artisan groups in more than 38 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin American to bring you fair trade jewelry, home decor, gifts and more. They are one of the world's oldest and largest fair trade organizations in the world. Ten Thousand Villages provides the opportunity for a better quality of life.

The Decade Principles are Respecting Life, Rejecting Violence, Sharing with Others, Listening to Understand, Preserving the Planet and Contributing to Our Communities. We share these stories on The Peace Hour. Look for The Peace Hour to resume soon. More information to follow or if you want first-hand information, come to the Decade Event at The Houston Mennonite Church, 1231 Wirt Road (North of I-10), from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, December 12th. We're looking to see you there.

Peace.

Fantastic Authors and Artists ...

THREE FANTASTIC BOOKS FOR THE DECADE

The Decade of Nonviolence has six principles that urge all of the world's citizens to embrace. All six of these principles are encompassed in three books: Within These Walls: Memoirs of a Death House Chaplain by Rev. Carroll Picket, Detour to Death Row by Houston's own Dave Atwood, and The Challenge for Africa by Nobel Peace Laureate, Wangari Maatha. The principles that these books urge us to look at concern human life and the Earth. Anti-death proponents, Rev. Pickett and Dave Atwood, believe in the sanctity of all life. They recount their experiences about the death penalty and its ill-advised use to combat crime, but also as a bad use of the penal system. The principles of the Decade they employ are "Respecting life," "Rejecting violence," and "Listening to Understand." Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathi employs the use of the other three principles in her book "The Challenge for Africa" of "Sharing With Others," "Preserving the Planet," and "Contributing to Our Communities." She offers up her work "in the trenches with others to find ways to break the wall that separate the peoples of Africa from justice, wealth, peace and respect." All three books will be auctioned off on December 12, 2009 at the Houston Mennonite Church, 1231 Wirt Road (North of I-10) at the Decade Event. Each book is signed by the authors. For more information contact either Judith Hoffhein at 713-863-8708 or P.K. McCary at 713-893-1304. You can offer a bid for any or all of the books by emailing us at info@thepeacehour.org. Please note which book or books and your auction bid.

REMEMBER, PEACE IS AN ART FORM

Remember that you can also bid on fantastic art at this Decade event. Houston artist Chuck Ivy offers as an auction item "Wife/Lover," a 20x30 print facemounted on plexiglass. Chuck Ivy is another Houston artists who work can grace your home. Bids for art pieces start around $100 and are for a good cause to support the work of the Decade's work in 2010.

Again, for more information, contact Judith Hoffhein at 713-863-8708 or P.K. McCary at 713-893-1304. Each piece will be at the event on December 12, 2009. You can also email us at info@thepeacehour.org.

Hug A Bear of Your Very Own

Ever wonder about the story behind "Teddy's Bears?" More than just cuddly, teddy bears have a history. As everyone knows, real bears disappear in winter and reappear in spring. Bears symbolize renewal and rebirth. In some cultures, the bear symbolizes female energy and is considered powerful medicine. But, the story of the teddy bear did not come about because of her symbolism. Instead, the teddy bear was borne out of a story about President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt’s refusal to shoot a bear that had been captured. He considered it bad form and lacking ethics. A Washington Post cartoon by Clifford Berryman captured the story, which was seen by a Russian immigrant by the name of Morris Michtom who asked his wife, Rose, to create a stuffed bear like the one in the cartoon. She made one and put it in the couple’s store window and it not only sold, but every bear she made sold out, too. The bears were dubbed “Teddy’s Bears” and were a huge success. President Roosevelt gave his permission to continue calling the bears by his nickname “Teddy” and the rest is history. The Company’s name was the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, which still exists today. This story resonates with us here at The Peace Hour as well as on our Think Peace Radio Network, but in addition so do the symbols associated with the bear. We find the idea of bear magic appealing. We love the idea of renewal and rebirth since both are needed for each of us committed to the peace movement. Because of the bear’s fierceness and strength, we believe that bears also symbolize our need to utilize our combined strengths as passions to build cultures of peace all around the world. In addition, we believe that the symbol of the bear is perfect for the work that we do, telling the stories of peace in action.

     Our bears come with t-shirts that say "God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions," Think Peace," and our new t-shirt with "Give Peas a Chance." We've included a picture here for you. 

"Won't you take one of us home?" Bears are available for your support of The Peace Hour and Think Peace Radio Network. If you're interested in having one of these bears for your very own, email me at info@thepeacehour.org for pricing information.

You're Invited to A Decade of Nonviolence Event ...

You're Invited to a evening of Fellowship and Sharing ...

When:

December 12, 2009

Where:

The Houston Mennonite Church

1231 Wirt Road (North of I-10)

Time:

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Decade of Nonviolence-Houston invites you to a holiday event at the Houston Mennonite Church, 1231 Wirt Road (North of I-10) so that we can share food, fun and fellowship to talk about Beyond the Decade: Where do we go from  here? The Decade of Nonviolence is a movement. Regardless of the wars and rumors of war that float throughout the world, peacemakers ARE making an effort and we are also making a DENT in the violent aspects of our lives. Come learn about Compassionate Communication, Peace Camp, Peace Education in Schools, and yes, The Peace Hour. Our work is really only just beginning.

ATTENTION: If you're an organization or group who endorses the Decade, please contact us so that we can list you in the program. In addition, bring your materials and information. We'll have a place set up just for you! We will be holding an auction to help raise money for the future of The Decade. Remember: Peace is an Art Form and we'll bring the creativity of peacemakers to you on this night, from 5 to 9. For more information, email us at info@thepeacehour.org or call P.K. McCary at 713-893-1304 or Judith Hoffhein at 713-863-8708.

AUCTION --- Peace is an Art Form

"Alien Friend" by Jennifer Chen

Kane Pau "Water Blossom" Lee

by Bobbie Jo Free

Artists from Texas and California have either donated or given at costs works that make a difference. Artists include Jennifer Chen a.k.a. "Komodokat," Burford Evans, Bobbi Jo Free, and other artists who showcase their works at the Black Heritage Gallery in Houston, Texas. Also, auction items are from 10,000 Villages and donations from private donors and collectors.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Decade of Nonviolence--Houston, a non-profit charitable organization, and its programs: Compassional Communication, Peace Education in Schools, Peace Camp and The Peace Hour and Think Peace Radio.

BEYOND THE DECADE ...

The Peace Hour broadcast, as many of you know, is an initiative of the Decade of Nonviolence, when living Nobel Peace Laureates made their appeal to the world that we use this first decade to build cultures of peace for the children of the world. These last five years, I have started every show with these words. Next I say, "Many have heeded the call." And now I ask, "have they?"
The Call to Peace
As we head into 2010, there are many who feel that we've failed or at least are failing at building those cultures of peace in every day life. In America, we are struggling through a horrendous recession. We can't agree on ways to ensure that every American has health care or access to good health care. We fight over whether to stay in wars on the other side of the world--Iraq and Afghanistan, for instance--or whether to bother with conflicts in areas we don't think are important enough to warrant our time or efforts. The Republican/Democrat wars are legend. The wars around the world, many conflicts ongoing, don't seem to be abating. Every day, there is some conflict that results in the deaths and maiming of others. The Uppsala Conflict Data Program tells us that armed conflicts around the world result in 1,000 deaths a day! If we take a look at the world, we'll see that there is a conflict going on in almost every part of the world.

While this these violent conflicts include major and minor conflicts, they also include non-state and one-sided violence (UCDP Database, 2009). Still, this doesn't include the violence inflicted in homes, cities, states and nations, in families, in business, and in our "Peace" organizations.
     If I had to establish what hurts the most, I would say that the violence that hurts the most is violence perpetrated by those who are supposed to care and those who should know better. For the models of peace are there for us to use when conflict arises, but somehow, we don't always use them or maybe we haven't really learned how. When people that we love, respect and care about, resort to violence, our lives are shattered by that betrayal. When people fail to see that violence can happen without the use of a fist or a gun, that the weapons of hate, deceit, disinterest, disenfranchisement, disrespect and other types of actions more subtle, are as devastating to the soul, we'll never get this peace thing right. Weapons such as these can kill the spirit, the will and the heart of a people. It can make us jaded, cynical, but it can also make us afraid. Afraid to speak up. Afraid to venture forth. Afraid to use our gifts and talents for the good of humankind!
     Still, this is my heart talking. My brain tells me to look beyond the shadows. As one friend told me "Never attribute to malice what incompetence is sufficient to explain." Peacemaking is a lifelong endeavor. We have to get "good at it" in ways that make accomplishing it something like breathing. In. Out. Deep breaths. Exhale. My Yoga friends would agree.
   Another thought from this friend talked about the complications embedded in this world of peacemaking. He described them as "so many interlocking and overlapping, yet often competing, responsibilities" that we often drop the ball far more often than we admit. We too often focus on the one event that has been difficult rather than looking at the entire picture of events. My friend went on to explain it this way, "I DO think that [people] are often myopic and short-sighted (and redundant). There is a constant tendency to focus on the matter or issue or crisis that is right in front of a person and forget that decisions about the immediate matter affect other previous commitments, or even contradict stated principles and goals." In this, I found an answer that I think we must truly evaluate in ourselves. Am I so myopic or short-sighted that I'm concentrating on the immediate goal or problem? Do I only think of what is solved right now, rather than all the layers that it affects? I have to ask this question of myself because unless I reflect and evaluate my own purpose, I have no right to demand it from others.
The Vision
When a person is hurt, compassionate communication urges us to "listen to the need of that person" and that by understanding that need, acknowledging that need, we then are able to empathize. Empathy connects us. That's the "heart" part of peacemaking. We all need to listen to our hearts a little more.
     Besides the complications, we have systems that have been in place for centuries and these systems create disparities that resonate in different ways. We cannot create cultures of peace within these systems. It's a given that these systems must change. And here lies another problem. In order to change systems, many feel that we must use the same methods of these systems to vanquish that which we considered unholy, unhealthy or undesirable. This is defined as a takeover and takeovers are simply, to coin a violent analogy, simply "the faster gun." Instead, we must throw away these weapons and create models that mirror the best of our methods. Charles Edwin Markham talks about this when he says, "They drew a circle that shut me out--heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win; we drew a circle that took them in."
Who's In/Who's Out
I'm out! I took myself out of a situation for reasons that I won't go into. It isn't important. What is important is that it hurt. I don't do hurt well, mostly because I try to anticipate hurt ahead of time. I walk around with my hurt detector on, but it is not infallible. So, then I'm surprised (well, not really), or taken off guard, then I start second guessing myself and trying to deal with the current issues (or what is perceived as the current issues) and I'm trying to fix those and I am, as my friend so appropriately points out, "myopic and short-sighted." I start trying to change the system and it isn't my place to change anything. There are a number of reasons why this is true. The biggest reason is that I have not nor will I have power in these systems. These are systems that I cannot take over even if I wanted to. I don't belong and it gets harder and harder to participate in a system where I am not only uncomfortable, but also have no real say. The most significant reason I can't change these systems is that I-can-only-change-myself. We must, after all, be the change we wish to see. When we do that, I can leave a little residue of my intent to empathize and love the people within these systems and perhaps those in power or control can use that, when and if they choose. But it is not now nor was it ever my job to change another. And even if someone tries to say that it is, I decline the offer. Thanks, but no thanks.
     Instead ...
     I want to build an place that is the wider circle built on principles of the Decade, but also principles of my faith, a place that still holds hope and love for the world. I want to build a place where the energy of young people is harnessed and developed, giving their creativity, gifts and talents free reign in the world. I want to capture the wisdom of the elders. I want an organization that supports intergenerational relationships. As a storyteller, I want to gather the stories and share them with the world--my way of sharing the world's cultures with one another. I want to be free--free to be all that I can be and along the way, stop to make sweet potato pies for my family and friends. In essence, I want to live this life to the fullest as a peacemaker. That's the job I'm applying for every day of my life.
     Someone said that if you build it--they will come. So, you may ask--why do I think I can build it? That's easy! Because everyone has it in them to do it. Because--after all--I'm In! In this world to do good.
     Peace.

[The Peace Hour broadcast will be heard every week on the Think Peace Radio Network, on OhZone.org, with archives at www.thepeacehour.org starting December 7, 2009. For more information on the work of The Peace Hour and the Think Peace Media and Communications Cooperation Circle, email us at office@thinkpeaceradio.net. We're building it. Won't you come?]

WITH THESE SIMPLE WORDS ...

WE CAN START HEALING THE HURTS OF THE WORLD

"Two Sides of the Coin--An Apology, Forgiviness"
The Price of Reconciliation and Healing

The incident happened years before. I had been fired from my job unfairly. It was a job I loved and it loved me, too. I had found my calling and then in a matter of minutes, with only a few words, it was gone and there was nothing I could do to get it back. I was hurt and disillusioned. As I attempted to overcome it, I was often given this advice: “Let it go. Just get over it” and I strived to do that. It took me a while, but over time I “got over it.” I worked at it. I didn’t talk about it much. Sometimes something would trigger a memory or a friend would ask about it. Truthfully, I didn’t recognize it as hurt anymore.

Then one day I had lunch with someone who wasn’t there those many years ago, but who now worked for this same organization. Yes, she’d heard the rumors about some of what had transpired, stories that still lived on. But, here’s the crux of the story. As we left lunch and I offered my help and support to her, to an organization that had “hurt” me but that I had a special bond with, this woman said, “I’m sorry for what happened. You’re a remarkable person and I’m glad to know you.”

I’m sorry.

This individual took responsibility for a slight, a hurt, a pain that I thought I had overcome and with those simple words, relief flooded through me. I almost responded, “Why are you apologizing? You didn’t have anything to do with it,” but I stopped myself and said, “Thank you. I accept. I appreciate the sentiment.” And now, the healing has begun. Where I thought I had merely “gotten over it,” now I am finally free.

A long time ago I wrote an article about forgiveness. I told my readers that forgiveness is a balm for most of the world’s ills. In fact, I believe that forgiveness is so important to our world’s health, that we must take it upon ourselves to offer it again and again. The truth is, though, that it takes lots and lots of practice; that it doesn’t come easy, but oh—it is worth it. And yet, what I’m learning is that forgiveness is only one side of the coin. The other side is repentance. Repentance is the “I’m sorry” that comes from genuine remorse and a desire to make it better. Together the “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” are the coin that paves the way to reconciliation and healing.

But what of the “I’m sorry”? Many of the ills of the world were created by people who are no longer here. Yet, the tragedies of the world still permeate our air space and if no one is willing to offer the first half of the coin, how are we to spend only one-half of a coin? Forgiveness can be given without an apology, but it is not as potent. Without the full coin, you still have an incomplete, unresolved issue. In the story above, one person held the side of the coin that merged the part I had already given. I still believe that it was my responsibility to forgive, but having someone stand for the apology finished it—healed the rift. I’m now whole.

There are many other stories. At a prayer vigil for the earth in Washington, DC, a friend who is a minister offered an apology for what had been done to thousands of our Native brothers and sisters. He took responsibility for making the apology at a ceremony of healing because without it, there was a void that could never be bridged. He understood that the pain caused from broken treaties, displacement, and atrocities too horrible to mention, stood in the midst, ghost-like, but palpable to the soul of a people. He tapped into it through a genuine connection with a people who have offered forgiveness through a charitable spirit of love and compassion.

This wasn’t about guilt as much as it was about acknowledgement of the hurt. If you ask if I want an apology for slavery, I might even say no. After all, I was never a slave. But, truth be told, I’d like an apology for my ancestors, heartfelt and genuine. I want to know that my grandmother’s mother and father and all the unknowns of my ancestry are finally getting their apology and when it comes, I, who stand on their shoulders, accept the apology on their behalf. As a child of the Diaspora, I, who carry the DNA of those whose blood was spilled, can stand for them today. And, I, can stand for those who have been lynched and died at the hands of those “who know not what they do.” That comes from my Christian faith, but there are so many who are willing to stand in the gap for other tragedies. Hiroshima. Germany. South Africa. There are those who will stand in that gap to close the circle of pain into one of healing. But, who will carry the “I’m sorry”? Who will stand for the hurt and pain in genuine remorse and supplication? Who will stand with me?

I’m willing to stand for the “I’m sorry” side of the coin. I know what it feels like on the other side of it, but I’m genuinely sorry for the ills that have happened by my country’s hands, for the abusers of children, with true regret for the pain caused to them. I’m willing to bow my head, lower myself to my knees and stand for the “I’m sorry” that so many need. Can you? Will you join me?

As I’ve listened to other stories of pain on this show and in my travels, I’ve been shown the power of it all. I know it can happen and I have the perfect occasion to start—a day that each of us can take a role—either for the apology or the forgiveness. The spirit of it defies the gravity of any situation, no matter the hurt, no matter the pain. The spirit of it is to move forward to the reconciliation and healing of the world that needs to take place. If in this small ceremony of giving and receiving I believe that lives can change, so can each of you.

The International Day of Peace is September 21, 2008. I’m asking that we meet at churches, at synagogues, at temples, at parks, in homes, on the street—and stand for the apology and the forgiveness. Two people can do it. Thirty people can do it. A thousand people can do it as well. With half standing for the “I’m Sorry!” and the other half standing with “You’re Forgiven,” the work begins. We’ve gotten the hard part out of the way. Then, afterwards, we should start working together in our families, communities, and organizations, to reconcile and heal. The efforts of this one simple ceremony can reverberate around the world as we stand in the gap for all who have gone before us and all the good that can now come.

I’m sending out a request to all my relationships across the board—The Rothko, Interfaith Ministries, my church, my friends, my family. I’m asking that we take a place—either in the circle of Apology or the Circle of Forgiveness. You can carry signs that say “I’m sorry for Hiroshima,” or “I’m sorry for abusing a child,” or “I’m sorry for not ending Apartheid sooner (in any place that it is taking place)” --- and I want someone or many to go and accept that apology. Today, I give my forgiveness for the millions of children without healthcare. That’s a for instance, but it doesn’t stop there. Now the work begins. No one has to feel guilty because the full coin will let us purchase time, efforts, commitment—working together. That’s you and me.

So, you can call me at 713-893-1304 and tell me you want to participate. I’ll help you do it. You can email me at info@thepeacehour.org. I’ll respond back. Here at KPFT, the Decade of Nonviolence, in my work with United Religions Initiative and the World Peace Prayer Society, the many places we talk about building a better world, let’s hold the powerful synergy of the Apology and Forgiveness and start the reconciliation and healing process that eludes us. Today.

May Peace Prevail on Earth.

The Peace Hour.org

The Peace Hour.org

9/11 Mysteries (Full Length, High Quality)

All voices must be heard. Whether we agree or disagree, without full disclosure, without listening to all sides, we will never know the truth. This documentary of the 9/11 historical even brings to light QUESTIONS. This domain 9/11 Truth documentary portends that there is more to come. An excellent document. Pass it on.

International Day of Peace--A Day of Prayer

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS


"When children pray, God listens. Are we listening?"

On this International Day of Peace I am reminded that we live in one world. Today, many of our world’s citizens are celebrating this one day with the hope of peace eternal. Peace is a concept for the mind, body and spirit. I’m especially grateful that these next few weeks are also symbolic of peace. We celebrate the Jewish New Year and Ramadan. This is a poignant reminder that we CAN walk side by side.

Someone asked that we celebrate this day with prayers, poems and songs. My prayer:

Wake in me, O Lord, the need for another
Prepare in me, O Lord, the way to acceptance
Instill in me, O Lord, true love and compassion

Help me, O Lord, to accept your gifts
And then, O Lord, let me live in thanksgiving for the harmony of this world.

Amen

My Poem:

I look on the faces of my sisters and brothers
To see the desires and dreams in their eyes
I look at the hands of my sisters and brothers
To clasp in fervent prayer for one another

I see beyond the different hues,
The cultural resonance of voices of different lands,
The shapes of eyes, mouths and noses,
And I see the Wisdom that God demands

I listen to the prayers of all
In languages too numerous to count
Chants, songs and silent meditations
Become a symphony of hope for us all

I see each of you
I see God

And my song:

Let us break bread together on our knees
Let us break bread together on our knees
When I fall on my knees,
With my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, Have mercy on me

Let us clasp hands together on our knees
Let us clasp hands together on our knees
When I fall on my knees,
With my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, Have mercy on me

Let us sing songs together on our knees
Let us sing songs together on our knees
When I fall on my knees,
With my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, Have mercy on me

Let us praise God together on our knees
Let us praise God together on our knees
When I fall on my knees,
With my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, Have mercy on me

And my final prayer:
Lord, have mercy on all of us. On this International Day of Peace, let us remember that we are each in need of your mercy and love. That we are in need of your compassion and grace and that in giving it to us, we will return the favor by giving it to others.

A blessed and hopeful International Day of Peace. P.K.

Faith and Peace—The Only Way

I spent time with my grandson this week. As he knows I usually have something for him in my room, he went in to see and when he came out, he had my prayer beads looped around his neck. I told him about the beads and knew he understood as much as a two-year can, because the rest of the evening, he told everyone he had "Buddha Beads" around his neck.

I am a peacebuilder. I think I was born to be one. At age twelve I finally made six feet in height. My father took this opportunity to explain to me about the responsibilities of being tall. I would imagine he would have had to be the one. He was six feet five inches tall himself.

“P.K., do you know how tall you are now?”

“No, Daddy,” I responded. “I just know that I’m taller than most everybody in my class except a few of the boys in the 11th and 12th grades.”

I was in the eighth grade then, youngest of my classmates—taller than almost all of them and all of my teachers. My father’s mother had always emphasized standing tall and since that was ingrained I stood tall. That day I learned from my father that I would sometimes seem taller than people the rest of my life and probably would be. I’m 6 feet and 3 inches now. So, my father sat me to down to explain about size and the power size can have. He explained about periphery vision and how it played an active role in people’s perceptions about space. He told me how precious a person’s space can be. He also told me that I had a new responsibility now that I had grown so tall.

This is what he told me.

“People will see you before you see them,” he tells me. He explained that this could be a good thing. “But sometimes people will see you as a hindrance before you’ve opened your mouth.” And then he told me something I never thought about. “You will be perceived to take up a person’s personal space even when you don’t mean to.” My father then stood and demonstrated what he meant. He told me that people consider a certain amount of space their own. “If you tower over them,” he said to me as I looked up at him, “someone may consider that you are taking up their space.” My father’s height was imposing when we both stood. Now standing over me as I sat, I immediately understood his meaning.

“You can continue to tower over them, continue to make them feel uncomfortable or,” he smiled, “you can even the field of vision so that you are no longer threatening.” He demonstrated by sitting down again with me.

I told my father that I would never do anything to threaten another person. I was a gentle giant, after all. He told me that he believed that I would not. However, he gave me this last piece of advice. He then told me that there may be times in my life I need to make a point. His words to me were simple. “It is then that you stand.”

I’m also storyteller—naturalized, of course. My Aunt Ollie, my mother’s sister was the other family griot. I believe I inherited her gift. She was also the oldest of my mother’s siblings as I am. My mother told me when I was quite young that she and her siblings seldom could afford the nickel movies, so they would let Ollie go instead. She would return and tell them the story of Gene Autry’s pursuits and victories in movies such as “Back in the Saddle”—even singing the songs that made him so famous. I’m the oldest as well and I’ve been practicing my storytelling skills on my younger siblings for many years. I believe that my ability to tell a story has helped me to take the advice my father gave and use my skills as a storyteller to simply stand when there is a point to be made. These days the point is—there is no way to peace. Peace is the way.

So now I’ve become a student of peace through non-violence. I say student because I’m still learning. I believe that Jesus was also a teacher of non-violence. I’ve learned that non-violence cannot be simply a concept or even a tool. It must be a way of life. How else could Jesus at the moment they came to arrest him speak to his disciples so passionately for peace after Peter cut off the soldier’s ear. He said to them, “There will be no more of this!” How was he able to do this? Because he had prepared for it his entire life, at the moment of whether to use violence or non-violence, he had no choice. He chose peace. He even healed the person who came with a sword with the peace of healing. I’m sure that soldier was never the same. Perhaps at that moment, he lay down his sword. Even then the tenants of non-violence spoke that there is no way to peace—peace is the way.

Personally, I think God made me tall for a reason. He wanted me to be seen. But, God also had a plan. He never wanted me to use my size to bully or hurt another. He wanted to show that big doesn’t always mean power, but it can speak truth. As I learn the lessons that Jesus taught; that others such as Gandhi, Lawson and King also taught; I realize that I want no other life. I also know now what my father meant when he said that there would be times when I would have to stand. I stand to convey the stories of peace through my gift and hopefully show the way of peace in every facet of my life—in height and stories.

So, when the time is right, I'll tell my grandson this story. He's going to be tall. That's a fact. But, he will already know that his height is a gift (as it was to all of my children) and that I will hold to non-violence because of him and all the children of the world. He's my Little Buddha, after all.

---Peace