Category Archives: Holiday

A Peaceful Mother’s Day: Thoughts, Gift Ideas, and The Proclamation

In the US, Mother’s Day started out as a holiday about peace. Initially mothers of soldiers who died in both sides of the Civil War would meet to try to reconcile.  The most famous example of the peaceful intent of Mother’s Day is the Proclamation by Julia Ward Howe.  She is best remembered as the abolitionist, pacifist, and suffragist poet who penned the Battle Hymn of the Republic. The proclamation is at the bottom of this post. In between are some peaceful gift suggestions for your mother,

Let’s start with a peaceful way to wrap your present:

Flowering gift wrapping paper that can be planted after it wraps a gift!  Continue reading A Peaceful Mother’s Day: Thoughts, Gift Ideas, and The Proclamation

“My Guitar Gently Weeps” by George Harrison is the Peace Song of the Day for 5/1 May Day

My Guitar Gently Weeps” by George Harrison is  Peace Song of the Day for May Day, May 1st.  The song was first recorded by The Beatles.  Today, a phalanx of guitars, marching in the Occupy Guitarmy,  of part of May Day celebrations. (Information at the Occupy Guitarmy website: here.)  Also the track is in honor of the Duchess’ Tearwater Tea Party for May Day.  Harrison credits the inspiration for the song to the I Ching.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hRVu-T73Zo]  Continue reading “My Guitar Gently Weeps” by George Harrison is the Peace Song of the Day for 5/1 May Day

Save The Whales: Baby Beluga is the Peace Song for 4/22/2012

August 2012 update: The whale that inspired Raffi’s song has died at age 46. Story at The Examiner: here.
________________

Baby Beluga, by Raffi, is the Peace Song of the Day for April 22nd — Earth Day 2012.

Since The Duke and Duchess of Peace have lived, worked, and played with environmentalists for so long, we know that there are so many layers, and so many issues for people who love the earth.* Though, it is sometimes fun to revel in the perceptions and stereotypes that others hold for you. So, in honor of all the folks like us who eat granola, hug trees, and try to save the whales, we chose this classic song for Earth Day 2012!

Continue reading Save The Whales: Baby Beluga is the Peace Song for 4/22/2012

Passover and Easter: 10 Ways To Foster Peace For The Holidays

The Spring Holidays are a perfect time for sharing and celebrating, as well as for learning and inspiring positive change.

Kimberly and Ian Wilder, the team behind Peace Couple, share interesting holidays. One of us is from a Jewish tradition, and the other is from a Christian tradition. Both of us resonate with Buddhism, and ancient, earth-based celebrations of the seasons.

Both Easter and Passover are Spring Holidays that celebrate renewal. Passover also celebrates Freedom.

We made a list in order to share some ideas and links for inserting peace and nonviolence into the Spring holidays.

10 Ways to foster peace for Easter and Passover

1. Put a tomato on your Seder plate. Continue reading Passover and Easter: 10 Ways To Foster Peace For The Holidays

Will the Groundhog see 6 years of peace?

A billboard from the campaign against war, which Lennon and Yoko carried out during the Vietnam War around Christmas. by Sam HarrelsonGroundhog Day has been happening for a couple of centuries as a sign of hope.  Hope that the cold and harsh weather of winter will end and the warming of spring will arrive.  I don’t think anyone still believes in the power of a groundhog’s prognostication, but the tradition has continued as a way to visualize our goals.

With the arrival of the movie Groundhog Day, the holiday has taken on an additional meaning of second chances.  And third chances. And fourth chances.  And fifth chances . . . . till we finally get it right. A westernization of the karmic wheel. A chance at getting it right.

If a movie can redefine a centuries-old tradition, then we can also.  Ok, we don’t have Bill Murray mugging for us yet, but that will come in time. 🙂

So why not think big? Continue reading Will the Groundhog see 6 years of peace?

The world needs love!: Peace Song for 1/24/2012

What The World Needs Now, by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, is the Peace Song of the Day for 1/24/2012.

And, speaking of love, please see our side bar, store page, or Valentine’s book post for ideas about what to buy your sweetie for February 14th. Many of our links give us partner credits for purchases. Peace Couple and Wilderside, Ltd appreciate the support you give us, when you do some compassionate through our site.

Continue reading The world needs love!: Peace Song for 1/24/2012

Book shopping for a compassionate Valentines Day!

For the latest in Valentine’s Day gifts, try a vintage piece of jewelry from our family company Wilderside Ltd.’s newest enterprise.  Book listings are below.  Click “more”

[etsy-include=WildersideJewelry;14593092] Continue reading Book shopping for a compassionate Valentines Day!