Jun 9 2019
The world marked many notable events and commemorations this week, from a state visit to the United Kingdom, to a bloody anniversary that another country would rather forget.
(Too busy to read and click through all the article links? Listen to this podcast episode, for highlights on the go.)
As The World Turns
We didn’t start the fire, but we’ll try to fight it
I spent time reflecting on world events that grabbed our headlines this week. There was:
- The 30th anniversary of a turning point in the Tiananmen Square protests when, as Billy Joel immortalized in a lyric from We Didn’t Start the Fire, ”China’s under martial law.” And yet, this event is one that China desires to erase from its citizens’ memory.
– President Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom, hosted by 93-year-old Queen Elizabeth, and with a now-familiar refrain of anti-Trump demonstrations. This BBC photo gallery will get you up to speed on the pomp, pageantry, and protests.
-The 75th anniversary of D-Day, when allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy to start taking down the Nazis in WWII. My favorite story from the commemoration? This 97-year-old vet who parachuted into Normandy, as he’d done 75 years ago under enemy fire:
On a related note, I watched 98-year-old former US Secretary of State George Shultz deliver sharp analysis on the issues of our time. He was promoting his latest book Thinking about the Future.
These 90+-year-olds have witnessed the tides of war and peace roll in several times over the course of their lives. As with the Billy Joel song title, they understand that they didn’t start many of the social, political, or cultural fires that rage in our world. They’ve realized that their role is to be a steward for peace over war wherever and whenever possible. And they’ve developed their celebrated status over many decades, and dutifully earned their place and power to govern.
Om Is Where The Heart Is
Must we wait till we’re in our 90s?
What, then, about the rest of us who are younger? Do we need to wait that long to govern or effect change in our world?
Not at all.
If you live in a democracy, there are dozens of ways to get involved, even (and especially) if your country’s political system feels fragile right now. You just need to show you’ve done the work to understand or contribute to your field, your community or your cause.
In my workshops for executives, citizens or writers, I share my own unique journey of getting involved, in a place and time that seemed fraught…until I found a clear path through the (metaphorical) landmines.
Curious about the workshops? I’d love to tell you more! Contact me here.
Celebrating a Prince
I couldn’t end this week’s newsletter without tipping my raspberry beret to legendary music icon Prince.
He would have turned 61 on Jun 7, and I channeled his spirit for this tribute I wrote in 2016 soon after he passed. I spent most of this Jun 7 listening to Prince trivia and music on his Minnesota hometown music station.
Prince continues to rule the hearts of those who adore his music, his philanthropy, and his spirit. And we’re more than happy to let him. 🎵
News and Views
Share Peace Matters with your friends
#PeaceMatters is now available in multiple formats:
– a podcast, and
So…please help me spread the word! Send them to this newsletter issue and point them to the links above this line.
In the next issue:
I’m not sure what the news gods have in store for us next week. Let’s see what unfolds, and I’ll be here to give you my peaceful take on it.
Till then…
Live well and lead large – Maya
(featured image © Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)