John McConnell -- January 30, 1967 In fact, you can speed the approaching day when fear of wars will cease. War is always the fault of the "other fellow." All that is needed to prevent war is for you and me and everyone else to realize we all are the "other fellow." How can this realization come? Through MINUTE FOR PEACE, a daily minute of goodwill observed in unison throughout the world. YOU CAN HELP SPREAD THE MIRACLE OF GOODWILL THROUGH MINUTE FOR PEACE! MIRACLE FORMULA: Each day join this growing network of peace with thoughts of goodwill for the whole world (especially the leaders of all nations.) Accompany your thoughts with words of goodwill and with works of peace. Learn the methods of peace. Seek what you can honestly approve in your adversary, or opponent, and praise it! Work together with him on any project where there is honest accord. Assist any international project in which you believe. Let us get excited about overarching goals that are globally shared and strive for international cooperation in achieving them. Space, medicine, music, the arts, sports, science, literacy, food and shelter are a few of the areas where this is possible. TAKE A NEW LOOK AT OLD PROBLEMS. * New incentives for cooperation are needed. We have new knowledge, new tools -- let's use them. For instance, take a new look at this earth-home. The known net worth of our planet is approximately 30 trillion dollars. Of this figure, twenty trillion represents the value of the unused natural resources that this generation has inherited. The balance, ten trillion, represents improvements: factories, farms, homes, merchandise, etc. presently in use. The unused resources presently available (raw land, oil, minerals, etc.) represent an equity of more than $8,000 for every individual on earth -- about $40,000 for the average family. It must be the goal of all countries to make available this minimum inheritance to everyone. Every person should be reminded that he is a part owner of this earth and has an equal right to Nature's bounty. He must be given access to his portion of earth's raw materials and opportunities. His benefits will then depend on his ability and industry in the use of his birthright. With the spread of existing know-how, and the aid of present equipment and technology, an initial stake -- home, job, education -- can be offered all who are lacking it. Nature has provided an abundance. If we will creatively cooperate with one another in using it wisely and peacefully, together we can build a global economic democracy with freedom, justice and prosperity for all. THE FIRST STEP IS MINUTE FOR PEACE. We must get rid of our mutual fear. Look at realities instead of dogmas. Then we will understand each other and work together; discover anew the beauty, love and trust that comes from within. If we who are capable of choosing peace will begin now, others will follow and we can make of our planet a new world. The choice is ours! WHAT WE CAN DO: Take a minute each day for silent meditation. Look at a flower, a star, a child, and reflect on the meanings of goodwill and peace. Listen to what our own inner voice tells us to do. Observe the Minute for Peace when we get up in the morning, or at any time, or at one of the special minutes designated for simultaneous observance around the world -- 03:00, 11:00, 19:00 Greenwich International Time. (In New York 6 am, 2 pm, 10 pm EST.) Request our newspaper to remind people of Minute for Peace with a daily thought about goodwill and peace on their front page. Peace is important! Ask them to carry a series on the methods and techniques of peace in personal, family, global relations. Invite our radio and TV stations to carry MINUTE FOR PEACE, at one of the designated times -- or any time. Suggest that our church, club, convention, open their meetings with a MINUTE FOE PEACE, a minute of silent meditation with thoughts of goodwill for the peace of the world. ACCOMPANY THOUGHTS OF PEACE WITH DEEDS OF PEACE. We can become involved in some organization or project in our church, club or other group in spreading in a positive and practical way the words and works of goodwill and peace at home and abroad. Tip the balance for peace by sending at least 10% of our income where we believe it will count the most for peace. The word is traveling on the wings of the night. Listen to your inner voice, the Holy Spirit, or your Conscience and you will hear it. Peace is coming… You can speed the day by the miracle of goodwill. Begin to feel it and share it in a daily Minute for Peace -- a moment to be conscious of this Earth-home, this nest in the stars, this family of man and its awesome destiny. MINUTE FOR PEACE 777 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017 Add my name to those who are joining in a daily Minute for Peace. Signed _________________________________ Address _________________________________ I will invite the friends listed below to also join. Please send them this article. Name___________________________________________ Address_________________________________________ Name____________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ Minute for Peace is endorsed by the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Mayor and Supervisors of the City of San Francisco, The International Lions Club and other organizations. * The following is not to advance any particular political or economic system, but express in a different way commonly held universal goals. |