Today is the International Day of Peace: Breathe in JOY, Breathe out PEACE!

Happy International Day of Peace! Take a moment for silence and reflection. Breathe in joy. Breathe out peace.

It may be cliche but it’s true: Peace starts within. If it is to be, it is up to me because we can only change ourselves.

Now that you’ve spent a moment to breathe and reflect, together, let’s help find peaceful resolutions for all living creatures!

There are observances in every nation on this planet, in all segments of society, by thousands of organizations and hundreds of millions of people around the world.  National Public Radio is currently airing radio broadcasts, including playing ‘peace music’, in observance of – and as a way to inform the public about – this occasion Find out about events here: http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/2010/broadcast.shtml

The event is organized by Pathways To Peace, the International Secretariat of the Culture of Peace Initiative, a UN designated Peace Messenger program, involving over 4,000 organizations across the globe.  Pathways To Peace has been involved with the International Day of Peace since its inception in 1981 and has nurtured this occasion into an annual global observance that is intercultural and intergenerational in nature, and reaches hundreds of millions of people worldwide.  Governments, religions, educational institutions, businesses & professionals, NGO’s (non government organizations), the media, grassroots organizations and people from all walks of life are involved. Pathways To Peace is a nonprofit organization, whose work would not be possible without our volunteers.  Please click here to donate.

So why the Burning Man photos by Wade Scribner? What does Burning Man have to do with the International Day of Peace?

Black Rock City and the culture of Burning Man teaches us the importance of community and creativity. And, possibly more importantly, Burning Man teaches us to be both self-reliant and how to give to our neighbors as well as strangers and that instead of spectators, we must be participants.