I’m writing this on International Peace Day, September 21, 2022 and cannot help but wonder… why is it only one day a year we have to be reminded to stop and reflect on what we can do individually, as a member of our community, country and the world, to foster peaceful understanding, tolerance, love and unity? Every day should be International Peace Day. Every day we need to carry unconditional love in our hearts and take positive action towards attaining world peace.
Retaining peace of mind can be challenging, as war and violence often dominate the news. Around the world extremists are perpetuating their despicable feelings and messages of hatred and polarization.
We must first focus our attention on the good, not the evil, and be reminded there are millions of people around the world who strive for peace and who serve humanity. There is always hope.
Here are are some quotations about peace accompanied by inspirational works of art by artists who are members of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS online art gallery, healing-power-of-art.org, and whose art is part of exhibitions about love, unity, hope, and peace on that website. You’ll also find links below to read some articles that hopefully will provide positive ideas for you to live with peace in your art career.
“Peaceful Path”, painting by Julia Underwood jewellsart.co.uk.
“The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
~ Siddhārtha Gautama
“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
“Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one”
~ John Lennon
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches
“Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
“If you are depressed you are living in the past if you are anxious you are living in the future, if you are at peace, you are living in the present.” ~ Lao Tzu
“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.” ~ John F. Kennedy
“Nothing that I can do or say will change the structure of the universe. But maybe, by raising my voice, I can help the greatest of all causes — good will among men and peace on earth.” ~ Albert Einstein
“Peace begins with a smile…”
~ Mother Teresa
Suggested Reading
The Art of Gratitude and Giving through Creative Expression
Positive Possibilities for You as an Artist
Make Positive Changes in Your Art Career
Artists Who Are Sharing Positive Messages
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