Say "Peace" in different languages

The link below provides the translation of the word "peace" in the languages of the world. For some languages it may not be the direct translation of the word or the word may have a different meaning. This difference may arise from the different culture and background. It would be interesting to see the origins of these words and compare their meaning to see if they mean the same. In a broader sense, we all have our own definition of peace, but we can all agree that it is a state without war.

On the other hand, some languages may share a similar origin. Even if the words do not match exactly the same, they might share the same mother language. Sadly the nations, who may share such original word are suffering from conflicts and wars. They are not able to recognize similarity that they share and they conflict over differences. I hope that there will be a day in the future, where we are able to greet each other in the name of peace. This is truly possible in HWPL as it is gathering more organizations to join its membership. These organization are not of the same country, but of multiple countries. HWPL holds them together in the name of peace. And under the direction of Chairman Man Hee Lee, they walk in the same path towards a destination.

Link: http://www.columbia.edu/~fdc/pace/

Essay: The Paradox of Our Time

THE PARADOX OF OUR TIMES

by George Carlin

Is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers

Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints

We spend more, but we have less.

We have bigger houses, but smaller families

More conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense

More knowledge, but less judgement

More experts, but more problems

More medicines, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often

We have learnt how to make a living, but not a life.

We have added years to life, but not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back

But have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour.

We have conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted our soul.

We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We've higher incomes, but lower morals.

We've become long on quantity but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character;

Steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare,

More leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorces;

Of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you,

And a time when you can choose,

Either to make a difference .... or just hit, delete.

Opinion: A glimpse of this world

The film, The Independence Day, was a blockbuster. The plot and the graphics of the film was incomparable to other action films in the past. I heard that a sequel to the film is in the progress of filming. The film was about an alien invasion and of course it followed a typical plot line of an invasion, but the film also showed the reaction of the global community against a stronger force.

People combined their effort against the aliens to keep the peace in their world. I wonder, how the relationship between each nations were before the invasion in the film? We see this from nations to individual households that we do not want to disturbed by others, but also have internal conflicts ourselves. We fight with our siblings or parents, but whenever others interfere with our family, then we unite together against whoever that person is.

Sometimes, I imagine what would the alien's perspective be, if they see the world that they are about the invade is full of conflicts.

Today as a world, we have conflicts in between nations and religions. I think we have to start recognize that this must reach to a resolution. Today the stronger force that we need to overcome is ourselves. We must overcome the differences that we have, these differences have been invading our soul little by little since the beginning.

Taking a glimpse of this world. The world that we live today is filled with conflicts that begins with inside one's heart to an international level. Every day we fight with ourselves to become better and strive for success in the world. We are challenged by the society to fit in and follow its rules. This internal conflict and social conflicts that we face extend and are joined by other conflicts of larger scale. 

For what do we live our lives? What cause do we live for? Is there something that we should stand for as human beings? If there is a cause that will benefit everyone, then does this become our obligation to stand up for that cause? Unfortunately, the basic obligation is covered by materialistic needs and for success. We need to understand that these materials and success are not possible if there isn't a world to provide it.

This issue is challenged by HWPL. The organization recognizes what the world needs. This is why Chairman Man Hee Lee has been travelling around the world 21 times to promote this basic obligation. The basic obligation is building a world of peace. When we take a glimpse of this world today, we see conflicts and disagreements. I hope in one year, when we take another glimpse, I hope we take another glimpse of the world and even in the smallest societies that create the world become a place without disagreement.