Do you know what a peace pole really means?

“Cause and effect, means and ends, seed and fruit cannot be severed; for the effect already blooms in the cause, the end preexists in the means, the fruit in the seed” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

The actions that we do always have a reaction, a cause and effect.  I've been noticing this more and more in recent months.  Its how one day you see your life in one direction and the next you're pushed/embraced/pulled/thrown in another direction.  How one deals with the eminant change is a tribute to their charactor. 

Cause and effect is constant.  For me, it is the blossoming opportunities by meeting groups of people who are inspiring and interesting to say the least.  I sent out a letter, to organizations who work toward peace.  In turn i was contacted by a few and got to meet people who have a mission that most have been committed to for years. One of these is a group  recently went to meet with  called World Citizen and the Foundation for Global Citizens.  They were a group of about 10 people who get together twice a month and discuss the world. They put on events and speakers and this meeting I was invited.  One of the World Citizen goals is to educate people about local Peace Sites.  Which many of the YMCA's in the Twin Cities are. According to the Peace Pole Project, a Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four or six sides. There tens of thousands of Peace Poles in nearly every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace.

International Peace Sites often have a "peace pole" that looks like this:

Of course, our peace pole at the Y does not have a beach in the background.  But, it does mean the same thing no matter where you are. 

Peace Sites are committed to:

• Seek peace within yourself and others
• Reach out in service
• Protect the environment
• Promote intercultural understanding and celebrate diversity
• Be a responsible citizen of the world

So now you know what it means when you see one of these.  (effect)

The other cause and effect situation I've found myself in is with the organization WILPF.  You may remember this organization from an earlier post.  The Women's International League for Peace & Freedom has invited me to be guest speaker at their "Coffee and Discussion" event. 

PEACE?

JUSTICE?

or . . . ?

WILPF  Coffee With Discussion

The Peace Movement:

            Hopes, Prospects, Priorities

Brainstorm with a panel of members on program ideas from US & International WILPF.

Plus hear a voice from a new generation—

Special guest Andrea Lewis, US Representative to the 2012 Youth Peace Network, a 3-month program this summer in Vancouver, BC, sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency & the Vancouver YMCA.

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 10 am–noon

Van Cleve Community Ctr., 901 15^th Ave. SE, Mpls

Refreshments, free, everyone welcome!

MN Metro Branch

Women's International League for Peace & Freedom (www.wilpfmn.org); 612-922-7993

I may not know anything about the future of the peace movement, but I may be living it so I guess I can just speak to what I know. 

Everything I have done to date has had a cause and effect.  Deciding I could never be a Banker, led me to Non Profit work. The YMCA led me to Vancouver. Who knows where Vancouver could lead. 

Side Note: Congrats to my sister Alicia Lewis who is graduating from college this weekend.  I'm so proud of her.  Now she has the degree (cause) and the effect is to be determined, but I know it will be great!