Friday, December 25, 2009

Purrs 4 Peace Announcement Week 29: Peace on Earth. Good will toward men...and cats...and other animals.

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~Mark Twain

At this time of year we think a lot about the spirit of the holidays. That spirit is embodied by the idea of peace on earth and good will toward others. But why are these two linked? It is my belief that the bible in Luke 2:7-14 does not link the concepts of world peace and goodwill toward others by accident.

Clearly, we know that when we practice kindness a.k.a goodwill toward others, that kindness often engenders a feeling of calm where there was chaos. Love where there might have been animosity. In other words, if we are kind (not a doormat, but kind) that kindness begets PEACE. Internally and Externally.

It is not always easy to be kind to someone...particularly if they are rude, nasty or have in some way hurt you. But Mummy has often found that if she acts with kindness toward someone who is outwardly undeserving of that kindness, there is a transformation of their attitude and behavior. And even if the recipient of that kindness is not changed, exhibiting kindness makes mummy feel happy and peaceful.

When faced with a choice of between behaving with kindness or otherwise, kindness is always the best choice.

Confucius Cat believes that we should practice kindness, not because others deserve it but because WE deserve the PEACE it will create within us and in our world.

Kindness is free ... yet an invaluable gift.” - Confucius Cat


This week we purr for a spirit of kindness in each of us. We purr that everyone may exhibit goodwill toward men and animals. We purr for PEACE.


Week 29 of Purrs 4 Peace details are as follows:

  • Week twenty-nine’s appointed time is Sunday, December 27, 2009.
  • Participants should purr for three minutes commencing at 3 p.m. EST (U.S.) which is 8:00 p.m. (20:00 hrs.) BST in the U.K.
  • The cat’s human staff should assist their cats with the project by stroking and nuzzling the cat at the appointed time.
  • Please post your cat name and the country you purr in at www.confuciuscat.blogspot.com as a COMMENT if you are participating in this historic project. (posting a link to your own website-if you have one-is encouraged.) Or let me know by message on twitter or facebook.
  • Posting purrs on facebook ( Acolytes of Confucius Cat or as friend to Alley Mason) and twitter (@ConfuciusCat) is encouraged, since it inspires purring in others, but not required. On twitter please use #purrs4peace in your tweets.


Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán * 和平


Merry Christmas! Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward All!

8 comments:

Poppy Q said...

Merry Christmas. We hope your day is filled with friends, family and feasting.

Smooches
Julie and Poppy Q
xxxxxxx

Bruce said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Love,
Bruce the cat:)

The Oceanside Animals said...

Merry Christmas, C.C.!

Cindy said...

Merry Christmas!
cindy

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Peace on Earth to all! And Merry Christmas!

Brian's Home Blog said...

My sisters and I will be there! Merry, merry Christmas to you!!!

Jenny T said...

This is difficult for me. On the one hand, when I hear stories like that of Michael Vick, my first reaction is to want to act on my anger and exact revenge. But the truth is that punishment never changes anything- it's simply society taking its revenge for a wrong a person has committed. That's not to say there should not be disciplinary measures taken, but discipline and punishment are not the same. Locking someone away for a set amount of time is punishment. Requiring a person to take steps to right his wrongs is discipine.

When I am able to let go of my anger, I am left with pain, and the pain I feel when another has been hurt is just as deep as the pain I feel when I have been hurt.

The pain I feel regularly for a world that on the one hand cries foul when a dog is mistreated, yet mindlessly eats the flesh of animals who live and die in far worse conditions can at times be overwhelming to me. And yet I must remember that I too used to be that way, and that it was not anger that led me to veganism, it was education.

Finally, I have learned that if I cannot let go of my anger, then I can at least walk away mentally or physically. The Dalai Lama says that if I cannot help, at least do no harm. If I cannot let go and offer peace, instead of unleashing my anger I can at least walk away and let someone else offer peace.

peggy said...

I'll be purring with you!
Peace and kindness!
Peggy