Peace Building in District 5495

Ripples of Peace, No. 59, 60, 61 and 62
Submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair
 
Dear Friends of Peace,
 
Resolution of conflict in general is a challenging process, especially with someone you love. Once achieved, one is prepared to practice the:
 
59th Ripple of Peace: Refrain from participating in others' arguments.
 
Arguments are full of powerful energy. They can carry anger, resentment, fear, jealosy, greed, hatred and other limiting emotions that feed on the energy of anyone in their vicinity.
 
Learn to remain centered in Peace when you are in close proximity to the arguing of others, especially when the conflict is among relatives and friends. Refuse to participate or be drawn into the argument. Remove yourself from the situation if necessary.
 
Once you able to maintain your own Peace while others argue, you may choose to add 
Peaceful energy to the volitle situation and perhaps help diffuse an argument, through Peaceful interaction. Do this only if you can remain loving toward all parties, in both your thoughts and words, and detached from the content of the argument.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
May you know and be Peace.
 
***
 
Maintaining a neutral position when subjected to the dynamics of an argument can be a daunting task. Yet by practicing this week's ripple that goal can be more easily achieved. 
 
60th Ripple of Peace: Be aware of what you are thinking, saying, and listening to concerning the people close to you.
 
Quantum physics asserts there is no such thing as objective observation at the subatomic level. The very act of observation influences the appearance of that which is being observed. In a similar fashion, when we put our attention on the specific qualities or behaviors of the people around us, we can influence what we see. Our thoughts and words can have an effect on all the people involved.
 
Pay attention to the thoughts that you allow to occupy your mind, especially when it comes to your beliefs and expectations regarding the people you love. You do them a disservice by thinking badly of them or holding on the unrealistic expectations. On the other hand, you help them immeasurably by focusing on their good qualities and accepting them for who they are.
 
Be aware of what you say about the people that you love. Talk about your friends and family members only in ways that respect and empower them. In addition, refrain from participating in gossip or listening to derogatory remarks about the people in your life.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
Loved ones and friends are invaluable gifts. Treat them with the respect they deserve.
 
May you know and be Peace.
 
***
By being aware of what we are thinking, saying and listening to concerning the people close to you prepares us to practice the:
 
61st Ripple of Peace: Teach Peace by example.
People respond to as much or more to what we do than to what we say. This is especially true with children, for whom our actions tend to speak louder than our words.
 
Demonstrate Peacefulness in your interactions with others. Whether you are talking with friends about controversial issues or disciplining your children, remain calm and at Peace as you speak. Use effective conflict resolution techniques to diffuse arguments in your family and to keep Peace with friends.
 
Make your day-to-day actions consistent with the consciousness of Peace.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
Be the Peace ...
 
Read more...
D5495 applicant Khadim Hussain Fayez, from Afghanistan, is awarded Rotary Peace Fellowship for 2025-26
 
On behalf of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, Khadim Hussain Fayez has been selected to receive a 2025-26 Rotary Peace Fellowship for studies as part of the Rotary Peace Centers program. 
 
Fayez has been selected to study for a master’s degree at the University of Bradford, in England, beginning in the fall of 2025. The Rotary Foundation and its university partners considered candidates from all over the world for the Rotary Peace Fellowships in a highly competitive selection process.
 
Fayez is the third applicant from D5495 since November 2021 to be selected. On behalf of your D5495 Rotary Peace Fellowship Committee we are pleased for Fayez, and we look forward to assisting your clubs as we continue to seek your collaboration in promoting this worthy Rotary peace program.
 
Remember, there is no cost to your club or D5495 to submit and support qualified applicants. To learn more, please go to our D5495 website, click on the ‘Peacebuilder” tab, and read the attachments under the “Peace Fellowship” heading.  Our experienced committee is available to provide you more information, as well as a short or full program at one of your club meetings. Or contact Tony below.
 
Peace and regards,
Tony Cerato
D5495 Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee Chair
Phone:  719-351-6616
Ripples of Peace, No. 55, 56, 57 and 58
Submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair
 
Dear Friends of Peace:
 
I hope your family meeting resulted in an elevated sense of Peace within your home. Discussions of Peace may be enhanced by practicing the,
 
55th Ripple of Peace: Start a family scrapbook of articles and stories about Peace, love, and beauty.
 
Although the news and entertainment media tend to report on conflict, violence and scandal, it is possible to find newspaper and magazine articles that speak to the heart and stir the soul. By paying attention to life affirming stories, we can strengthen the Peace, love and beauty in our lives.
 
 
Make the collection of positive stories a family affair. Ask each person to watch and listen for stories that affirm his or her vision of Peace, including associated qualities such as love, beauty, respect, kindness, generosity and compassion. Consider articles and images from various media, as well as hand-written or typed stories from family members that describe their positive personal experiences and observations
 
 
Gather everyone together periodically, perhaps once a month, to see and talk about what each family member has found. Then put all the items in your scrapbook.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
***
 
The process of creating a Peace-based family keepsake, such as a scrapbook, will form a bond among loved ones. A bond that can be strengthened by practicing the:
 
56th Ripple of Peace: Pray for or meditate on Peace with friends and family members.
 
The power of prayer and meditation is magnified exponentially when two or more people gather together for these purposes. In addition, meditating with others is often easier than meditating alone.
 
Add a prayer for Peace to the blessings offered at meal or bedtime. Remember that once you have asked for Peace, giving thanks for Peace is a good way to acknowledge your trust that your prayer has been answered.
 
Set up specific times to pray for or meditate on Peace with your friends, family or both. Invite people to bring their favorite Peace prayers and meditations to share. When meditating, you may choose to direct Peace and loving kindness to specific locations throughout your community and the world, or just allow the Peace that naturally comes from meditation to permeate the group and radiate outward.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
The power of prayer is far greater than we can comprehend.
 
May you know and be Peace.
 
****
Read more...
Rotarians help 're-dedicate' Peace Pole in Mesa Community College Rose Garden
Several East Valley Rotary Clubs and Rotarians participated in a special ceremony Sept. 26 celebrating the second anniversary of Mesa becoming the 362nd International City of Peace and a rededication of a Peace Pole in the Rose Garden at Mesa Community College.
 
The ceremony featured talks by Mesa Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia, Mesa Fire Chief Mary Carneli, Mesa Community College President Dr. Richard Daniel, Ph.D., and more. 
 
Current District 5495 Governor Michelle Holcomb and Past District Governor John Pennypacker were also in attendance.
 
Dr. Ruth Tan Lim, a member of the Rotary Club of Mesa Sunrise and Mesa Woman of the Year in 2011, spoke during the ceremony and explained the International City of Peace project.
 
"International cities of peace define peace as the consensus values of safety, prosperity and quality of life for all in the community. Indeed, peace is not a hope, it's a right," said Dr. Ruth Tan Lim.
 
Susan Stevens-Clarke, a member of the Chandler Horizon Rotary Club, initiated the re-dedication of the Peace Pole with the words, "May Peace Prevail on Earth."
 
 
 
 
Read more...
Ripples of Peace, No. 51, 52, 53 and 54
Submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair
 
Dear Friends of Peace,
 
Throughout the week, I hope you took the time to keep a journal of gratitude or Peace. When we become affected by troublesome circumstances, journal entries of gratitude and Peace will help us manage challenging times.
 
On other occasions, practice the,
 
51st Ripple of Peace: Surrender your worries to God
 
However good we get at handling our fear, anger and despair there are times when these problems are too big for us to endure and beyond the help of a friend or counselor. In these moments, it is essential that we learn to turn over our worries to a power greater than ourselves by whatever name we know it.
 
When you find yourself in a midst of a crisis or overwhelmed by troublesome thoughts and feelings, ask for help from God, Allah, Christ, Buddha or whomever you have come to call on in such times.
 
Once you have asked for divine intervention, let go of your worries and trust that your request is granted.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
An active relationship with a higher power is an incredible gift. Through prayer we are able to release that which is beyond our control. For those that may not have such a relationship, there's no time like the present.
 
May you know and be Peace.
 
***
 
Read more...
District seeks applicants for Rotary Peace Fellowship
 
How many of our Clubs, and our Rotarians personally have participated in a Rotary project in Mexico, Thailand, Afghanistan, Africa, India, Ukraine, Australia, South America, the United States, and many other parts of our Rotary world?  What do all these countries have in common?  They have all had Peace Fellows come from their environs to be awarded a fully-funded master’s degree through the Rotary Peace Fellowship program. And they have all become greater peacebuilders for this experience.
 
Think of someone you personally know, or in your social and professional network who are working in any of Rotary’s 7 Areas of Focus (locally, nationally, or overseas), already has a bachelor’s degree, and would be interested in a master’s degree or Professional Development Certificate.  D5495 can assist them with this process.  Although the application process does not begin until February 1, 2025, it is never too early to start preparing for this opportunity.
 
Help us find qualified candidates here in Arizona, as well as in other areas of the world.  Please go to the D5495 website’s Peacebuilding TAB and click on the Peace Fellowships/Peace Center links to share information with your clubs as well as others who might benefit from this amazing opportunity.
 
For club programs and/or more information, please go to peaceresources@5495.org
Ripples of Peace No. 48, 49 and 50
Submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair
 
48th Ripple of Peace: Practice radical forgiveness.
 
Forgiveness is often more easily spoken about than granted. Yet it is one of the most promising tools for Peace, primarily because of the change in consciousness that accompanies it. Forgiveness frees the forgiver from the confines and consequences of negative emotions and opens the heart to possibilities previously unknown.
 
Today's world cries out for the radical forgiveness of individuals seemingly beyond such blessing, offering us both the challenge and the opportunity to turn our lives around.
 
Make a list people for whom you believe forgiveness is not an option. Then study spiritual and religious texts on the subject of forgiveness, most of which value and promote the act of forgiving.
 
Be the one who forgives.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
To forgive is to be forgiven.
 
May you know and be Peace.
 
***
 
49th Ripple of Peace: Cultivate the qualities of admired Peacemakers.
 
Some people, both from the past and in the present, provide excellent role models for those of us searching for ways to promote Peace. Each of these Peacemakers had or has qualities that set them apart from their contemporaries.
 
Make a list of people whose Peacemaking abilities you admire. Read about their private and public lives to determine the personal characteristics that you most admire in them.
 
Develop and refine these qualities within yourself.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
For the Christian believers among us we have an easy go to person. Yet, in every faith tradition there are great examples of Peacemakers that deserve emulation. Rumi, Mahatma Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Dr. Martin Luther King, JR. Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Benazir Bhutto and among others, perhaps the humblest, Peace Pilgrim.
 
By becoming familiar with the qualities of a Peacemaker with which we resonate, we can quickly answer the question, "What would ... do?"
 
May you know and be Peace.
 
***
 
The qualities of Peacebuilders that we admire can become as familiar as a favorite garment. The more we are seen wearing our Peacebuilder garment, the easier for others to recognize these qualities. As you journey through life this week, be sure to tuck this ripple into an inner pocket.
 
50th Ripple of Peace: Keep a journal of gratitude or Peace
 
Gratitude is a stepping stone to inner Peace. It is nearly impossible to feel upset and grateful or Peaceful at the same time.
 
Count your blessings by keeping a gratitude journal, as recommended by Sarah Ban Breathnach in Simple Abundance. Write down, either daily of weekly, everything for which you feel thankful. Record both the little and big things in your life and keep the journal up to date.
 
You may also choose to keep a Peace journal. Write down the times you have felt at Peace during the day or week.
 
Begin to increase the amount of time you invest in the activities, people and environments that you associate with gratitude and Peace.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
The first entry in my journal is, " I am grateful for the opportunity to be of service through this incredible organization, known as Rotary." What will be yours?
 
May you know and be Peace.
 
 
RI President encourages Rotary clubs to promote peace
 
Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of Peace must be constructed.   - UNESCO
 
Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick is the new RI President for the 2024-2025 Rotary year.  One of her main focuses is PEACE, “…and engaging with the Rotary Peace Centers.”
 
President Urchick is encouraging Rotary Clubs worldwide to raise the pillar of Peace by planting Peace Poles, a visible sign of Rotary’s commitment to Peace -- at a member’s homes, their clubs, their communities and around the world.
 
Rotary is about Peace Building, in the next few months there are several opportunities for clubs and members to rally around Peace related activities:
 
21 Sept 2024     UN International Day of Peace
 
26 Sept 2024     Peace Pole Re-dedication             
3:00pm                Mesa Community College – Rose Garden
 
5 Oct     2024     Week Without Violence Peace Poster and Poster Contest Awards Ceremony
1:00-3:00 pm     Mesa Community College- Performing Arts Center
 
20-22 Feb 2025 New Peace Center dedicated in Istanbul Turkey
                                Hilton Bomonte Hotel
Rotary Ripples of Peace No. 46 and 47
Submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair 2023-24
 
Dear Friends of Peace,
 
Congratulations to those of you that decided to make a change in your life! You only have three weeks to go until that change takes hold. For those that haven't, this week's ripple is a great place to start.
 
46th Ripple of Peace: Simplify your life.
 
Many of us have so much to do that we often end up overbooked, overextended, and overworked. Simplifying our lives can bring us Peace of mind, as well as more time to nurture that Peacefulness.
 
When was the last time you had a day to yourself?
 
As yourself the following questions:
 
  • What are the priorities in my life?
  • What do I already do that contributes to my inner Peace and sense of fulfillment?
  • What aspects of my life are energizing?
  • What can I do to simplify my life?
Consider making a list of everything on your schedule for a week. Rank each item from five to one according to how much it helps you feel at Peace. (5 = It adds a lot; 4 = It adds some; 3 = It neither adds nor detracts; 2 = It detracts some; 1 = It detracts a lot)
 
Strive to reduce the number of activities with low scores, while increasing the number of activities with high scores, that you allow in your life.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
Repeat, repeat, repeat ... Meditate, meditate, meditate ... Simplify, simplify, simplify ... These all sound so tasky and in many ways, they are ... yet, the key to bringing Peace into the world, is to bring Peace into your world.
 
May you know and be Peace.
 
***
 
Dear Friends of Peace,
 
If it were only so simple to simplify our lives. Still, we may be surprised how much of an impact simple choices will have on quality of life. This week's ripple is a good example.
 
47th Ripple of Peace: Make conscious choices about what you read, listen to, and watch.
 
Each of us is influenced, either consciously or unconsciously, by what we allow into our minds and hearts. Words and images of violence, despair, and other forms of negativity can disrupt our sense of Peace, joy, and contentment.
 
Be mindful about the books, news articles, and magazines you read, the conversations, and music you listen to, and the television programs and movies you watch. The more positive the messages you see and hear, the more hopeful and Peaceful you are likely to feel.
 
From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World by, Rae Thompson.
 
For many years, the first thing I did in the morning was check my email, followed by opening my favorite newsfeed. What I came to realize was for the most part, I was beginning my day by infusing my mind with negative thoughts.
 
While not a perfect exercise, my mornings now begin with meditation followed by a nutritious breakfast. Regardless of your practice, I hope your days begin on a positive note.
 
May you know and be Peace.