Dalia Mogahed: The Attitudes That Sparked Arab Spring

“[There is] a link between people’s faith in their democratic process and their faith that oppressed people can change their situation through peaceful means alone.”

-Dalia Mogahed

Dalia Mogahed , Executive Director and Senior Analyst of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, shares her thoughts on the Egyptian Revolution and the Arab Spring in her hopeful and inspiring TED talk. She explores it’s implications for self-empowerment of ordinary citizens, especially women. According to Mogahed, trends show that Egyptians are taking on a more active responsibility to bring a about peaceful change in their communities.

Egyptian native, Dalia Mogahed, is a member of Women in International Security  and serves on several intercultural advising groups to facilitate global and cultural understanding.

For more information on the Gallup Center’s work visit their website.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story

There are so many leaders that truly embody living peace with the passion they bring to their causes. We see this passion in the way they speak and seek to inform audiences about how to make the world a better, more peaceful place. They take action, educate, and inspire. In an effort to spread inspiration from compelling people all around the world, we will be sharing videos to show how living peace can take different forms.

Take the time to ponder how this video’s message can help to reach a peaceful state in your life, your community, and the world.

“The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.”

-Chimamanda Adichie

Chimamanda Adichie, author of The Thing around Your Neck (2009), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), and Purple Hibiscus (2003), speaks to her experience with stereotypes and cultural misunderstandings in her powerful TED talk. Chimamanda lives in Nigeria, her birthplace, and the United States, teaching writing workshops to help fight the phenomenon of the “single story.”

For more information on her work visit her website.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Mpilonhle Mural Project

After Charlize Theron and Dr. Michael Bennish of Mpilonhle spoke at the Center for Living Peace Series in 2010, students at Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA) were inspired to support artistic education programs in South Africa.

As a result, Mpilonhle (a non-profit organization that focuses on social development and health promotion in South Africa) recently oversaw a project where a mural was painted on a football field at Silethukukhanya High School in Africa. The art has lifted the students’ spirits and has made the walls come alive – take a look below to see for yourself!

Thank you, OCHSA Social Action Squad for inspiring us and making GOOD HAPPEN in South Africa! To find out more about this project, and how these inspiring high schoolers are changing the world, click here.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

CLP Art: Guatemalan Pig Trough

At the Center For Living Peace, we have several different pieces of art that embody our values of compassion, courage, connection and collaboration, and of course inspire peace.

Since each work of art has a special meaning, we will take a look at a specific piece once a month to learn more about its significance and how it contributes to our mission.

Taking this month’s spotlight is our Guatemalan pig trough, located right next to the front desk of the center.

Guatemalan Pig Trough 

Our special wish jars rest on this wooden structure that was once a pig trough from Guatemala. Each jar is marked with a label such as “I’m peaceful when…” or “I’m thankful for…” or “I will change the world by…” All visitors are invited to write and leave behind inspirations, aspirations, or simple words of thanks.

The idea that this pig trough was once used in nature as a vessel to feed and nourish pigs complements the idea that it now nurtures our wish jars. We can all benefit from finding new uses in different resources.

A closer look at our special wish jars 

Our wishes within these jars are everlasting, and we know that with continued love, peace and kindness, they can one day come true.

We hope you enjoyed learning a little more about our art – stay tuned for next month!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Introducing our custom Live Peace FEED bags!

We are so excited about one of our newest additions to the Live Peace Store, and you should be, too. Why? Because each FEED bag comes with a story that we love.

Here’s the deal: FEED Projects donates a set amount of meals to the United Nations World Food Programme for each bag sold. Since it started in 2007, FEED has sold over 570,592 bags (head to their website at http://www.feedprojects.com to see the most up-to-date number; it went up by 31 just while this was being written!)—that’s enough for over 66 MILLION meals provided through the WFP.

A criticism of similar good-based donations we have frequently heard is, “Why buy the item? Couldn’t you just give the money straight to the charity instead? Instead of spending $40 on a bag, you could give that $40 to the organization!” This is true, but misses an important aspect of FEED and other organizations’ goal: to raise awareness at the same time as making an impact. By buying the FEED bag, you are raising awareness for WFP and the global need for food at the same time as donating much-needed funds to the organization. Maybe 10 others will see your bag, ask about it, and then make a donation or even buy their own bag! You can have an exponential impact by becoming a visible supporter of the organization and inspiring others to do the same. When you carry this bag, you help support FEED, WFP, and the Center for Living Peace all at once.

Whether as a gift to someone else or to yourself, we encourage you to check out our limited edition, custom FEED bags! Who knows— you just might inspire others to spread peace and make good happen.

Our Live Peace FEED bags are available only in the Live Peace Store located here in the Center. Each bag is made of sturdy canvas and has an inside pocket—perfect for groceries, class, or just carrying things around. For each Live Peace bag sold, FEED Projects donates 10 meals to the World Food Programme’s school meals program.

Want to know more about FEED or WFP?
FEED Projects: www.feedprojects.com
WFP: www.wfp.org/school-meals

To see more of the items in our LIVE PEACE store, click here.

 

Good Happens.
Peace Grl Out.

Founder Kelly Thornton Smith Chats With GenConnect!

Our founder, Kelly Smith, talks with GenConnect’s Claudia Potamkin about the goals and ideals of the Center for Living Peace. Check it out here! What do you all think of the video?

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out! 

On the Fly: A Special Blog Entry by CLP Founder, Kelly Smith, in honor of 9/11

When Center for Living Peace founder Kelly Smith is traveling from one peacemaking event to the next, she’s blogging.

Redeye. New York to Los Angeles
8:42 AM – 9/11/11 – NYC Close to Ground Zero

The silence in New York City this morning was powerful. It sounded like music and mourning and respect. I left my room numbered 911 (yep 911) overlooking the Liberty Tower construction and arrived close to Ground Zero at 8:42 AM, where I heard what sounded like a church choir. The walk down had been quiet, with a few joggers running the opposite way. I followed the sound of the music to see groups of policeman walking in formal uniforms and families wearing photos of their loved ones passing through a security gate.

Others were wandering the silent streets. I asked the guard how to pass. She said that without an invitation it would be best to find a TV.

I saw children holding American flags, flags at half staff, lines of trash trucks and tow trucks and police cars and vans full of silent public servants just waiting there if needed.

A bit later someone told me to go to church. I thought they meant a building but then I saw Church Street and the lines to get in. I passed through security and found myself walking toward a large screen with Paul Simon’s image as he sung, “The Sound Of Silence.” The sound went straight to my heart.

And then those heroes stood before me listing the names, the many, many names. I felt a profound sense of love. Everyone was there to honor and remember. Children stood and read parts of the list and then the name of their parent, the one so many told them they looked like or acted like. A procession of those left behind took turns listing the names of those lost. They thanked them for laughter and pennies, blew kisses to the sky, and spoke of their courage. We all stood in the sound of silence and respect.

A group making a documentary for Korea asked me what I experienced 10 years ago and what I experienced today. My voice unexpectedly broke as I said, “I remember the fear, but today I see the strength.” When they saw my tears, they asked me what upset me most. “Seeing the children speak,” I said, thinking of my own.

They asked how I felt about those who had caused the attacks. How I felt about Muslims. Did I forgive? What could I do as an American now?

Her choice of words struck me hard. Muslim. Forgive. American.

What I chose is to realize how important each individual is. That is what I saw at the memorial. As each name was read, each life was honored. No one asked of the victims’ religions, their races, their job titles, or their politics. No one asked if they forgave. The family members spoke of their love for those lost, their special gifts, and what they each shared during their sacred lifetime.

As I relived 9/11 at the memorial, I felt grateful for the reminder to share what I can, to use my energies to make GOOD HAPPEN. I don’t remember what else I said, caught up in the emotion of the day, but I handed her my card, and told her about the mission of the Center for Living Peace. That we believe peace can be lived and experienced in all aspects of our daily lives – it is in the way we care for our environment, appreciate arts and culture, and in every word we speak and every action we take. She and the rest of her crew for whom she translated nodded and smiled shyly.

How can you make GOOD HAPPEN and Live Peace? Here are things you can do:

End Violence in the name of religion by signing the petition at www.themissingmdg.com.  ArchBishop Desmond Tutu (Nobel Laureate for Peace), Professor Mohammed Yunus, The Crown Prince and Princess of Norway all signed the petition as well. Please support their tireless efforts to make the world a much better place. Together, we can keep everyone accountable for a concerted global effort to END violence in the name of Religion.

Or maybe you want to honor the victims of 9/11 by supporting the memorial at the sight of Ground Zero.

Or maybe you want to find more ways to live peace in your own life. www.GOODHAPPENS.org

Good Happens.

Peace Out, Kelly.

Virgin Unite Names Kelly Smith Entrepreneur of the Quarter!

Each quarter Virgin Unite picks their favorite entrepreneur to honor. This time around, they honored Kelly Smith for all of the work she has done in the past year establishing the Center for Living Peace!

Image Courtesy of Anne Chatillon

Congratulations, Kelly! We are so proud of you and all of the amazing work you are doing to make good happen! You can read the Virgin Unite article here!

 

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

Peace in Motion Movie Night: Let Freedom Sing!

In honor of Black History month, we will be screening Let Freedom Sing, a documentary about how music inspired the Civil Rights Movement.

This documentary follows the development of the Civil Rights Movement and the music associated with it. The music of the 1960′s Civil Rights Movement inspired and encouraged its listeners, enabling them to stay strong in a time of struggle and turbulent change. The songs gradually transformed from spiritual to freedom songs; serving as a common thread that connected people across the country as they fought for change. The music motivated people in the darkest times and inspired them to persevere with hope and optimism. The effects of this movement are permanent and continue to resonate with a messages of equality and hope. Most of the songs that came out of this movement are widely recognized now– but the context and history of these songs is known only by a few. Let Freedom Sing sheds a light on the story behind these inspirational songs.

Here is a teaser clip from the film:

Some of the songs included in this documentary are “We Shall Overcome,” “A Change is Gonna Come,” “Free at Last,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and “People Get Ready.”

Here is one of the songs that is featured in the film, “I Shall Not Be Moved,” by The Harmonizing Four:

Another song, feautred in the film is Billie Holiday’s song, “Strange Fruit”

 

It is going to me such an amazing film screening! I cannot wait! To find out more about the film screening, or to sign up for the class, click here.

 

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

Peace in Motion Movie Night: A Force More Powerful

Last night, we had our first Peace in Motion Movie Night! We kicked it off with a screening of A Force More Powerful.

Image from here

This film explores one of the 20th century’s most important but least understood stories: how nonviolent power has overcome oppression and authoritarian rule all over the world. Narrated by Ben Kingsley, and nominated for an Emmy, A Force More Powerful premiered on PBS in September 2000 and chronicles the work of non-violent leaders such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Reverend James Lawson and Lech Walesa.

Each film screening is followed by a moderation, led by Chip Royston.  Chip is a professor of Human Services and Anthropology at Cal State University Fullerton. He describes himself as being “profoundly interested in the human condition; past, present, and future.” In addition to teaching at CSUF, Chip is very involved with the Peace Studies department at GoldenWest College, he has written a children’s book that was endorsed by Dr. Jane Goodall; and  he is a founding member of Bundle of Twigs, a Long Beach-based community activism leadership organization.

Our next Peace in Motion Movie Night film screening will be Wednesday, February 9th.  We will be screening Let Freedom Sing!, a film about how music inspired the Civil Rights Movement. To find out more about our Peace in Motion Movie Nights and sign up, click here!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.