Thursday 21 September 2017

International Day of Peace 2017


A Peace Rose for the United Nations' International Day of Peace.  Every September 21st, since 1981, the UN has observed and celebrated peace day.  This year's theme, Together for Peace:  Respect, Safety and Dignity for All, is "about bringing people together and reminding them of their common humanity".  


These two very different blossoms growing from a Chicago Peace rose on my balcony, illustrate the beauty of diversity, and oneness. As it unfurls, the bud of the Chicago Peace rose is a vibrant coral pink.  As it fully opens, the colours soften from peach to apricot, and then the palest of pink and champagne.  One plant, many faces. 


At noon today, wherever you are in the world, people will observe a minute of silence.  The ripple effect of a minute of silence being observed around the globe, in each time zone, is called the Peace Wave - a quiet sound wave enveloping the earth.

As for the other 1,439 minutes in a day, you can bet they'll be filled with voices shouting and singing. There'll be soccer games and concerts all over the world. 


Today is also a day of prayer and meditation.  In the midst of what may be a stressful day, find a moment to gaze into these roses, and breathe deeply, and slowly.  You may find the great calm, known as peace.




Photographs Copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.


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