International Day of Peace and New Harvest Moon

Today is the International Day of Peace, established in 1981 by a resolution of the UN General Assembly. In 2001 the date was fixed on September 21, and declared as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says, "Around the world lives are being ripped apart, childhoods extinguished, and basic human dignity discarded, amidst the cruelty and degradations of war."

Tonight is also the new moon. The Chinese call this eighth new moon the Harvest Moon, for obvious reasons. The new moon is the start of the lunar cycle, a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, set intentions, and initiate something new.

Peace Day Agenda:

1. Journal queries

2. Choose a month theme

3. Set intentions

4. Raise awareness

5. Make peace stones

6. Peace vigil

7. Retreat Day plans

1. Journal queries:

How well am I responding to the challenges of the year and the season (including the season of my life)?

In what areas is my endurance fraying? What could build my resilience?

Picture my Highest Self: Healthy, fulfilled, full of energy, and happy - what shift do I need to take me there?

How can I better connect to both my roots and my spiritual self?

From my journal: As we enter the fall season our thoughts go to last year, the worst fall we've ever had. I'm beginning this fall with a bad head cold, a looming train trip, and also lots of hope. As a couple, I see us taking giant strides forward on our path towards simplicity and a peaceful family life, and as an individual, I'm making steady headway on my big Nature-Culture project.  

2. Choose a month theme:

Today I choose a theme for the next month, and begin to give attention to it. My theme for the next 30 days is balance - of concentration and mindfulness, action and study, social and alone time, yearning and resistance.

In feng shui, the center of the home is the area of Tai Chi, the great ultimate. The image is of the celestial ridgepole, the line that connects two sides; it's the circle around and the point between yin and yang energies.

The center is the place where my soul lives; it touches all other areas of my life. My life flows around the solid base of my center. Goals for balance at the center might have to do with grounded-ness, connectedness, finding clarity in chaos, embracing paradox, or allowing myself to flow with life’s changes. Remind myself to look at change as an adventure not a disruption, and to love life as it is. Also, this is the place of connection to Spirit, and enlightenment - I might seek a closer relationship with the Spirit outside myself.

My balance practices this month:

• Awareness walks
• Simplicity and order tasks
• Acceptance practice
• Ongo class and exercises

3. Set intentions:

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for September, and today it's time to narrow it down a little, to the priority items that I could possibly focus on this next month. This isn't a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather it's my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.

After I list my top goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. I chose a few to write today - those I might act on today - then I'll work on a few more each day this week.

  

I intend to make exercise a habit, using a script to bring me to daily chair yoga and a daily walk (starting with an average of 3000 steps a day this week), because exercise will reduce my risk of stroke and heart disease, build muscles and stretch my aching tendons, burn calories and lessen sugar cravings, and improve my mood and mental resilience, and because I  want to be strong and energetic enough to be able to play with and care for my grandson without feeling exhausted.  

I intend to use Ongo classes to learn how to be a better writer and communicator, to learn how to deliver an urgent message for change in a gentle yet firm way, with humor, because it’s imperative that the message not be offputting, but rather inviting and loving and natural - we are all nature and we need to shift back towards being a part of our nature community!

I intend to find balance and order with my available space and my possessions, so that everything I keep has a place, all things are honored, and I know what is in each space, because outer order supports inner calm and resilience, and opens the time I need for being Godly.

 

4. Raise awareness: 

The 2025 theme is Act Now for a Peaceful World: "In a time of turbulence, tumult, and uncertainty, it is critical for everyone to take concrete action to mobilize for peace. From peacekeepers on the front lines of conflict, to community members, to students in classrooms around the world, everyone has a role to play. We must speak up against violence, hate, discrimination, and inequality; practice respect; and embrace the diversity of our world. There are many ways to act right now. 

The UN website has a list of some Actions for peace activities you can consider to help raise awareness about peace and global goals. The one I'm working on this month is to educate myself about peace - understanding the tools of peacemaking by taking a non-violent communications course.

5. Make peace stones:

Each year I choose a project for Peace Day. One year we made peace flags; once I invited friends to watch a video about Peace Day; and once we made a peace poster in my art class. A couple of years ago I found the website for Pinwheels for Peace, and I was inspired to make pinwheels with one of my students. (That project is described here.)

This year I decided to repeat what I've done the last 4 years: Make Peace Stones to give away.

Supplies: Round rocks and glass stones, paint pens, spray varnish (optional)

Washing stones (photo from 2021)

1. Clean stones and let dry.

2. Draw peace signs with paint pens and seal with spray varnish, if you want.

3. Leave on a sidewalk with a sign! "Today is the International Day of Peace. Please take a Peace Stone."

6. Peace vigil at noon today:
Whatever you choose to do, please pause at 12 Noon local time and join people all across the globe in a Minute of Silence / Moment of Peace.

Minute of Silence / Moment of Peace - In 1984, in commemoration of the annual International Day of Peace and in solidarity with the United Nations, the NGO Pathways To Peace inaugurated the Minute of Silence at 12:00 Noon in each time zone, resulting in a “Peace Wave” around the world. Individuals, organizations, communities and nations are invited to participate in this shared and practical act of peacebuilding on September 21.

7. Plan a retreat day:

If at all possible, I schedule a day of retreat on the new moon, or near to it: I do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action. With all the packing, shopping, house and family loose-ends to tie up before our trip, I've decided to with until we leave, then settle in to a two-day train retreat.