Where To Find The Energy of Peace

The Second Vice International President of Lions Clubs International, Dr. Patti Hill, started a great initiative: Global Conversation About Peace. With this initiative, members of Lions and Leo Clubs are encouraged to take action for peace, to organise service activities with a focus on peace, to create an awareness, to create a unifies energy and consciousness of peace.

t a time when we are talking about Syria and Afghanistan, not only in home country Turkey due to the immense number of refugees from these two countries, but all around the World, it is impossible not feel the energy of fear.  There is such a big need for peace and understanding in our lives.

On the other hand, nature had its cries for help.  Forest fires stormed Turkey, Greece, Italy and many other countries in Europe and again around the World this summer, creating great pain.  Forests lost, wild life lost, people losing their homes as well as their livelihood, their farm lands and farm animals.  We witnessed the helplessness as well as the unified efforts of citizens and volunteers.

As the World gets globally connected, we are becoming more and more aware of the pain and suffering in different parts of the World. We are becoming more aware of the restlessness, the lack of serenity and peace in our minds, in our hearts and in our physical world.

Over the centuries, great leaders have always called out for peace.  The founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, although a soldier, always talked about the importance of peace. He is known for his famous saying: Peace at Home, peace in the World. Lions Clubs International, the largest and probably the best service organisation in the World, for more than a century, has focused on creating a climate of understanding between nations and in the World.  

Being able to serve those in the need without expecting anything in return requires an energy of peace.  Being able to selflessly work to help others requires one to be in harmony and peace with oneself, to respect people, nature, our World.

A lot can be said about peace.  There is a need for peace in almost all aspects of life.  Working to support peace is an immense task.  The influx of negativity is tough to shake off and it is equally tough to look at this seemingly insurmountable mountain and take the first step.  However, that first step and the steps that can follow are exactly what need to be done. One step at a time.  And those steps, if they can be taken together with like minded people, bring us the hope that we need to remember, the hope that we need to believe in the inherent goodness in people and that peace is possible.

Lions’, Vice President Dr. Patti Hill’s “Global Conversation About Peace” is an ongoing conversation about taking action for a more positively rooted consciousness of peace.  It is a call to look at where that energy of peace is needed, to identify what action can be taken and to start wherever and how ever we can.  

Attending of the online session of Global Conversation About Peace, I remembered the many projects that we as Lions Clubs' members actually did over the years to support peace and understanding in our communities and in our lives.  During the breakout room discussion of that session, I shared shortly some of the projects  that we did, for example to create awareness for some of the issues that the mentally disabled children and their families experience, to address the hidden violence in our use of language - the need for peace in the way we speak and communicate, and also to protect nature as an action of peace, as a way to show our respect to life.

In my mind and heart, peace is a reflection and an expression of respect.  When I do not know where to start to support peace, I start by showing love, compassion and respect to people, living things and nature around me. I start by treating everything around me, animate or inanimate, as living, as beings that will be able to feel the “touch” of my actions, feelings and thoughts.  That approach changes me and shifts what I am able to do. And that sometimes means starting small.

When the needs that we see are huge,  we start to believe that we need to come and do big projects and take big actions.  Of course, if you are able to, surely do go ahead.  We all have initiated and have taken part in big and influential projects. However, if that unique creative idea is not coming yet, or if the organisation and means are not coming together, please do not wait in order to support that energy of love, care and compassion, the respect to preserve and to enhance life, to support peace.

Among the many things that I have done and plan to do, for this September 21 International Day of Peace, as an act of peace, I chose to show my care and appreciation for nature by doing personal daily cleanups.  

For me, that means taking a short walk to the beach with a glove and a trash bag and spending 20 minutes every morning to collect what the sea has brought to the beach during the night and also picking up that broken piece of glass or the blue plastic bottle cap among the pebbles. At times, even though that voice within that whispers, “why do I have to do it” still can be heard, the feeling of leaving a place a little better that I have found brings that energy of peace first of all to me, and it probably resonates from me to my day that I share with others.  And those ripples are what taking an action for peace is all about.

So, I would like to call you to take an action for this September 21st, International Day of Peace. Whether you are a member of a Lions/Leo Club or not, let’s join forces to step up once again, to take action, even if we may have been disheartened many times before.  Ripples do reach many distant shores. And maybe, when our ripples unite and gain strength from each other’s hearts, the energy of peace that is always present in us, though sometimes hidden, discouraged and forgotten, will awaken in so many more.

With love and gratitude,

Lion Zeynep Kocasinan

Member, Istanbul Ulus Lions Club, D118T, MD118 Turkey

Past District Governor, 2018-2019, D118R, MD118 Turkey

Lions Global Action Team Area Leader for CAIV Europe

P.S.

If you would like more information on ideas and how to join, please check out the information below.

www.lionsvirtual.org

Facebook: “Lions Virtual” https://facebook.com/LionsVirtual

lionsvirtualuniverse@gmail.com

AKUT, Lions Clubs International, Fethiye and More

On May 26^th Fethiye had a special guest that we have been having the chance to see three or four times during the past 11-12 months.  The President of AKUT Search and Rescue Association Mr. Nasuh Mahruki was in Fethiye for a day as the guest of honour of the Lions District MD118-R Preparation Camp in Club Letoonia.

As some of you might know, I am a member of Fethiye Lions Club.  Fethiye Lions Club is a local NGO and we are also a member of Lions Clubs International.  (www.lionsclubs.org) Turkey is one of the two hundred and eight countries in which Lions Clubs are active.  I became a member of Fethiye Lions Club, a Lion in 2007 and since then I have been involved in our Club in Fethiye as well as in our Lions District MD118-R, which is the Lions Clubs District for the Mediterranean and Aegean Region in Turkey.  There are many NGOs, non-governmental and non-for profit associations active in Turkey and in Fethiye as well. Fethiye Lions Club (Fethiye Lions Kulübü Derneği) is one of them. 

Lions Clubs in the world use the motto “we serve” to describe what they do.  The aim of Lions Clubs is to create protects where service can be provided in regions needed in our communities, whether it is about health, education or about working with the disabled.  We carry out cultural projects, environmental projects and projects for the youth as well.  First Lions Club in the world was founded in 1917 and the first Club in Turkey was founded in 1963.  Next year in 2013 we will celebrate Lions 50^th year in Turkey.  Lions Clubs in Turkey are non-governmental organizations that have a broad range and area of service.  In our Mediterranean Aegean District we have over 55 Lions Clubs.

The new service term for Lions Clubs will start on July 1^st, 2012 and it will continue until June 30^th, 2013.  And from May 25^th to May 27^th, 2012 we had our Lions District Camp in Fethiye.  The head office of our Lions District is in Izmir, but have have Lions Clubs in Altinoluk, Edremit, Denizli, Manisa, Antalya, Alanya, Mugla, Bodrum, Marmaris and Kas well as many Clubs in Izmir and one club in Fethiye.  In the coming term Lions Clubs in our District want to start to work with AKUT Search and Rescue Association, to create a synergy that will continue over the years.   AKUT has over 30 rescue teams in Turkey, with 27 in full active and 5 or 6 in their startup years and some of these teams are in our region.  There are teams in Izmir, teams in Antalya, one team in Bodrum, one in Marmaris. And we have a very good and active AKUT Team in Fethiye as well. The team leader for the AKUT Fethiye Team, Mr. Sadi Çidem is a geological engineer and he is also the head of the Disaster Management Center of the Municipality of Fethiye.

About a year ago, on June 29^th, 2011 Fethiye Lions Club and many other organisations as well as the Municipality of Fethiye joined forces to support our Fethiye AKUT Team better.  AKUT Teams are composed of volunteers who are dedicated to search and rescue efforts.  Now Lions Clubs in our wider region want to support AKUT’s efforts for disaster and earthquake awareness and their teams’ needs. 

AKUT is a very special NGO in Turkey.  It has a special status which classifies it as an NGO that works for the benefit of the state (Is this called a benevolent association in English?) and recently it has received certain certifications which made it an NGO and rescue team recognized by the UN.  AKUT became a member of INSARAG, United Nations’ Search and Rescue Advising Group.  AKUT members are justifiable quite proud of the worldwide acknowledgement.  It is a very trusted and respected NGO.  I would like to recommend you to look into the work done by AKUT if you have the time.  You can check out their website or you can follow them on Facebook or Twitter.  Facebook and Twitter information are more up-to-date.  Some of the teams also have their own accounts. For example The Fethiye Team has an open Facebook group that you can join.  Some links: ( http://www.akut.org.tr ), (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKUT_Search_and_Rescue_Association )

I believe in the power of working together, in joining forces and I believe in the power of sharing information.  Fethiye is a town where it is much easier to learn about what is happening in the community when compared to many other cities and towns in Turkey.  However, there are also many times that we learn about events and activities after they are over and done.  Many people who are interested in working, in helping are not able to take part for that reason.  AKUT is an organisation where both Turkish and foreigners can support.  Actually AKUT organized a seminar for English speakers in Fethiye in the past year on earthquakes and the AKUT Fethiye Team wants to be connected with the British and foreigners’ communities in Fethiye for better disaster awareness and preparation.  The AKUT Team has regular meetings and if you are interested in supporting their activities feel free to contact the team.  There are team members who speak good English.

There are many well organised British groups in Fethiye that create and work on powerful and effective social projects.  FIG in the best known in town and there are many more.  I am aware that these social groups are aware of most of the other Turkish NGOs and groups as well.  I plan to share these various communities when the opportunity comes to create a better understanding and also a better visibility.

I am a relatively new volunteer in AKUT, but having been following the relief and rescue work they have been doing in Turkey since 1995, I feel motivated to ask for your support for AKUT with all my heart.  I trust their genuine concern for the community as well as their professional approach in service.

As a member of Fethiye Lions Club, I will also try to share our club activities and future projects as much as I can in the weeks to come.  If non-for profit organisations and groups that you are involved in are having activities in the coming weeks and months, please let me know.  I would like to share your projects.  Of course I will need to know at least a week in advance to be able to announce them here.  And who knows, may be we can create opportunities to join forces.

I hope, wish and pray that we all have the opportunities to take part in social projects that resonate with our heart, mind and soul.  May our heartfelt ideas find their way to where they are most needed.

Wishing all of you a great week, with love and best wishes...

Zeynep

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Affirmation of the Week:

“I live and dwell in the totality of possibilities. Where I am there is all good.”

From Louise L. Hay

Quote of the Week:

“The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.”

                                                                                              Oscar Wilde