First up- National Miniature Golf Day.
It's been about a year and a half since I've last played mini-golf, and since there aren't any courses near me I decided to set up my own course in the living room :)
It's complete with 9 holes, a shoe pit (my roommates wouldn't let me have a sand pit) and a gourd maze.
Today is also International Peace Day, and its existence is completely due to efforts made by the Peace One Day organization. Peace One Day was founded by Jeremy Gilley in 1999. In 2001 the UN unanimously adopted Peace Day, the first ever attempt at a world-wide ceasefire for one entire day.
When I first started looking into this I was highly skeptical of the legitimacy of having one day of peace. Who would follow this "rule" and what does one day matter anyways? I soon learned my skepticism was completely ridiculous- one day of peace is real and it does make a difference.
To date the most successful Day of Peace was in 2007. Jude Law is an ambassador of Peace One Day and when he and Gilley traveled to Afghanistan they saw a 70% decrease in violence on September 21st as they gave polio vaccinations to 4.5 million children. That's amazing and awesome and wonderful, yes. But my inner cynic still writhes. What difference does one day make? Well, as Law said "It's the difference between life and death."
Day of Peace is also and perhaps more importantly a sign, a symbol. Hope for the future.
"If we can reduce violence by 70% in Afghanistan on that day...then why can't we reduce violence by 70% everywhere?" -Gilley.
Perhaps the idea of world peace is a little optimistic for your taste, as it was mine. It seems to me too unattainable to be realistic. It sounds like rainbows, butterflies and unicorns. It can't just happen overnight. But what if it could happen? Wouldn't it start with just one day?
"If we can succeed in reducing levels of violence for one day, we can show what a more permanent and stable ceasefire can mean and we can build a foundation for lasting peace."- Mats Berdal
What would proving peace for one day mean?
"That will be a sign to future generations that if we combine our efforts in uniting we can stop the violence. We can create peace." -Gilley
If you're interested in more about International Day of Peace or the Peace One Day foundation I highly recommend watching this video. It's only 5 minutes and well worth every second --> Peace One Day
One last thing, today is World Gratitude Day. Started in 1977 by the United Nations Meditation Group, it's quite simply a day intended to take a few moments to think of all the things and people in your life you genuinely care about and maybe show some appreciation. Write him a note, buy her some flowers, give your dog an extra treat or watch another episode! Whatever you love...appreciate it. And show your gratitude!
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