Welcome to page four of Hand to Hand. This score is one linking up with many across the world; highlighting the messages of Sarasota's children, young people and others in our expanding community. The messages of the heart that are shared here are timeless and need to be heeded by those in a position of leadership; it is a vision that longs to stem such violence as occurred in New York and Washington on September 11, 2001 . . . and everywhere else on Earth.

 

" But wait, he doesn't hurt me really when he's mean to me. He hurts himself, well he hurts his spirit, his body and even his own eyes. Spirits can't be broken really, they can be hurt but not broken. I made this up myself."

Artist Unknown

Terrorism by definition is a lawless act. The only way to eliminate lawlessness is by instituting law where there was none. And as terrorism is a global phenomenon, so its elimination will only come about when and if world law evolves.  If the world had a global court and a global legislature -- perhaps bicameral with one house representing the population, and the other the nations - then groups who feel oppressed would have an alternate forum rather than war or terrorism -- a more effective means to achieve their objectives. In such a world, the occasion for war and terrorism would be greatly reduced.   Garry Davis

Music is the language of the soul. It is something that anyone in the world can understand. When we all understand and accept something—then—and only then—can there be peace on Earth as in the Heavens above. The best thing to do is to listen to your heart, the music of your soul, and in this century let there be a concert of peace for all ears to hear.

I am proud to be an American and I am proud to be a citizen of the earth. Love is stronger than fear or hate or evil, and I believe that violence is not the answer. One person at a time, we can send healing energy to our leaders, to the leaders of all countries, and to all the people of this earth. Send energy and courage for everyone to think outside the box, to find peaceful solutions, to resolve differences, and to work cooperatively.     Linda Lehigh

"Only Hearts"

Art Project
"down load"

For All Ages

The day when I can wake up and never hear one word about violence or mal-treatment, never see war or starvation on TV, and of course, not hearing about more school shootings will be a day of peace; that is what peace means to me.

Amanda Rico

We must try to understand the causes of the violence and try to diminish the hatreds that encourage people to kill or be killed for their particular cause. That requires new thinking, a willingness to compromise, compassion and tolerance, a greater respect for the goals set down in the UN Charter and infinite patience. I am now approaching 82 and I have not given up hope. To those of all faiths, I extend my best wishes for peace and happiness.        Benjamin B. Ferencz A former Nuremberg War Crimes Prosecutor

From

Deepak

Chopra

 

Peace to me is to be able to go outside or to school or to the mall without worring about your safery. I think that peace should be more important to people but, just like a lot of things, we take it for granted.

Jackie Weber

I have no more room in my life to focus on the hurt others have caused me. Life is too short to dwell on the ignorance. Many of us have learned the hard lesson of racism and religious intolerance and now choose to join hand in hand. Why has it taken so long for our country to unite? I'm glad that it has but it shouldn't have taken such a devastation and so many lives to be lost for us to come together. It is now the time for more compassion and resolution.      Adrienne Ponce

In the 21st century the earth should be a peaceful place to live. I would not want to worry about shootings at school. I would just want to be safe. Everyone should get along with one another no matter what their color or race. Black and white people should be peaceful together. There should be no gangs or fights. Everyone should just get along!

Jason Lynn

Although I am pleased to see people of all races and religions holding hands their displaced anger and patriotism leaves more questions in my head. Who else shall be made to suffer? Is this the example we give to our children? The actions we take today effect the children tomorrow. My son had nothing to do with this, will he be made to clean our mess? I'm sorry my brothers but I have fear. Love and Light, Jose

Earth

Record

Company

Peace to me means going to the beach and laying out in the sun with an unbrella over me to have a little shade. I would be listening to my favorite CD or radio station. Then every once in a while I would take a dip in the ocean if it got too hot. This to me means peace.

Ashley Lappin

I dedicated my conflict resolution class today "to the victims of violence commited by those who believe there is not a healthier way to be heard." May we create healthy ways of responding.      Blessings, strength and peace, Eryn

to

To me peace means that my two older brothers don't have to go into the armed forces, because they are 18 and 26, to help make peace. Because of peace we don't have to worry about terrorists coming on U.S. soil, trying to destroy our way of life and causing fear. This means that every minute someone makes a friend instead of going to war.

Josh Atke
Artist

She was snuggled up against me, all 30 pounds of her. We read all of the Madeline stories contained in the book I had recently given her for her fifth birthday. Cordelia was lost in the story, the pictures, and in the cadence as she chimed in at the end of each rhyming line. She learned the stories well. The final story was one that I wasn't familiar with from my childhood days. It contained a character who, other than the whiteness of his beard and eyebrows, bears an uncanny resenblance to Osama bin Laden. She innocently pointed to the picture and said, "He's a really bad man". "No", I said "he's really quite wonderful. He's a magician". And then, I read her the rest of the story.      Marlene Resnick

ALWAYS

REMEMBER

THIS!

 

A peaceful world to me would mean there would be no violence. Everyone would get along with each other and would respect each other.

Hillary Sorman

Can we see a way into understanding how people, other human beings, feel we have so wronged them that they must kill themselves to get at us? Why do they feel this way? They must know that this will escalate the violence and suffering that they (and we) will experience. What is happening to them, what is happening to us? We must know also that warfare in any form will escalate the damage to the earth, the air, water and other forms of life that are holding on so tenuously at the moment.   Layne Redmond

Vision of Peace

Dalai Lama

 

Peace is when I am with my family and playing with our hamster, Rex

Kevin Phillips

When I first saw on TV an anti-American mob raging against their own government for cooperating with US efforts against Bin Laden, my first knee-jerk reaction was "bomb 'em." But then, when I reflected, I once again realized that their anger grows out of their own pain, and that for us to respond in a way which causes thousands more deaths of civilians will only serve terrorism, escalate the rage and leave us all sinking into a black hole of fear, anger, despair and death.    Arthur Kanegis

 

The U.E.L. (United Earth Legions) is a futuristic government that all countries of Earth belong to. The UEL will defeat poverty, hunger, homelessness and erase desire from all of mankind.

This is an appeal to the leaders of our country to let sanity prevail. We are all grief-stricken by the appalling, inhuman events of September 11. However, in the terrible aftermath of these events, we must plead with our leaders to remain calm and not rashly attempt to exact swift revenge.      Michael Dorfman

 

Peace is something we all want but cannot have. Peace is where everyone respects everyone else, cares for their needs, is forgiving, and follows the rules. I think the world would be a wonderful place if only people felt for each other.

What happened in the USA today might have shown in a dramatic and final way the limits of power and violence. Mankind has reached the point today, where it is very obvious that the fight against terrorism has only one realistic option: to eliminate the roots of separation and hatred instead of trying to eliminate human beings."    John McConnel