Forgive To Give Project

2011-09-08T20:01:00.001-07:00

Eyewitness to 9/11: An Upstate Story

Click the link below for the Story:

http://www.scetv.org/index.php/etv_upstate/entry/eyewitness_to_9_11_an_upstate_story/

2011-08-31T22:12:00.000-07:00

A 9/11 Commemoration in Music and Film: “LOVE WINS,” an afternoon of music, stories, and film will pay tribute to 9/11 responders and to those who lost their lives and loves on that tragic day. Legendary musician and activist Pete Seeger will headline the afternoon, which will feature appearances by musicians performing Deodato’s classic “2001” track and musicians Such As Such, Sharon Benson, Parrots for Peace, Kenn Moutenot, James Cannings, Dina Richardson, Laleh, Cecilia St King, Spook Handy, David LaMotte, and Marian Loguidice. Other special guest musicians to be announced.

As New York prepares for the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001 attacks, our city will gather together to inspire each other and create a new vision for an harmonious Future. To this end, musicians, spiritual leaders, and members of the medical, education, and faith communities will come together to embrace “courage, sacrifice, healing and renewal” in this extraordinary setting overlooking our beautiful city. All proceeds will go to support scholarships for 9/11 responders and their children. Video testimonies from WTC disaster responders and the companion book, “”We’re Not Leaving! 9/11 Responders Tell their Stories of Courage, Sacrifice and Renewal” will also be part of the program. Dr. Benjamin Luft, Director, Long Island Medical Monitoring and Treatment Center/State University of New York at Stony Brook and author of this book will share his experiences serving and interviewing the 9/11 community of first responders.

We are honored to have Ambassador Suzanne Johnson Cook for International Religious Freedom from Obama's administration who will be speaking at the event, reflecting on 9/11.

First 100 9/11 responders free!!!! Please email info@forgivetogive.org for information and code

tickets at http://gof91111.eventbrite.com

2010-08-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

Gardens of Forgiveness Fundraising Concert -
Presenting Pete Seeger!

Tickets $35

September 12, 2010 at 2 PM at Saint John’s Lutheran Church
81 Christopher Street New York, NY

New York, NY – The non-profit Gardens of Forgiveness, in partnership with Saint John’s Lutheran Church, the Christopher Street Coffee House, and in association with Daniel Neiden, invite you to a benefit concert with legendary folk artist Pete Seeger. Joined by Julie Gold, Kim and Reggie Harris, Rabbi Jonathon Kligler, and Greg Greenway, this memorable night will fund development work on forgiveness education and Gardens of Forgiveness around the world.

Founded in the aftermath of 9/11, Gardens of Forgiveness has been active in promoting forgiveness throughout the United States and around the world, notably in Kigali, Rwanda. Gardens of Forgiveness was initially formed to explore the possibility of a Garden of Forgiveness at the former World Trade Center site. An initiative of Sacred City, Inc., it serves to promote forgiveness in order to create a future beyond violence, with gardens as venues for conflict resolution and healing in communities around the world.

The Reverend Lyndon Harris serves as Gardens of Forgiveness Executive Director. Harris was the priest in charge of Saint Paul’s Chapel across the street from the World Trade Center and oversaw the relief operation there in the aftermath of 9/11. Now pastor at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, Harris will offer a brief reflection at the concert, which is offered as a commemoration of the tragic losses on September 11, 2001, as well as a tribute to the workers who rose up to respond.

“There is no future without forgiveness.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Contact: Flannery Spring-Robinson + 212.242.5737 stjohnschristopherstreet@gmail.com
83 Christopher Street New York, NY 10014 + www.gofnyc.org + 212.242.5737

2010-08-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

MEDIA ALERT

MEET ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE SCOTT HAMILTON KENNEDY

WHO
* Rev. Lyndon Harris, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church & Exec. Dir. of the Gardens of Forgiveness, a non-profit founded by Father Harris in the aftermath of 9/11. As Director, Harris has traveled the world speaking about the Gardens of Forgiveness movement. Most recently, Harris spoke in Rwanda where the GOF is partnering to develop a Garden of Forgiveness in Kigali.

* Scott Hamilton Kennedy, Film Director

* Various Organizations: Urban League of NY, NAACP, The Hispanic Federation, Latino Justice, and several other community groups

WHAT
Meet Academy Award Nominee Scott Hamilton Kennedy and Preview his Documentary “The Garden.”

The Gardens of Forgiveness, in Partnership with St. John’s Lutheran Church, will host a preview event for “The Garden” documentary which features Actor/Film Director Danny Glover, Actress Daryl Hannah, and Grammy Winner Country Singer, Willie Nelson.

The fourteen-acre community garden in South Central Los Angeles is the largest of its kind in the United States. Started as a form of healing after the devastating L. A. riots in 1992, the South Central Farmers have since created a miracle in one of the country’s most blighted neighborhoods by growing their own food, feeding families, and creating a community. But now, bulldozers are poised to level there 14-acre oasis.

“The Garden” follows the plight of these farmers, mostly immigrants from Latin American countries where they feared for their lives if they were to speak out, from the tilled soil of this urban L.A. farm to the polished marble of City Hall.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 17 at 7 pm
WHERE: St. John’s Lutheran Church
81 Christopher Street
New York, NY 10014

CONTACT:
Hallema Sharif Clyburn, Media/PR
Hallema’s World
hallema@hallemasworld.com
516.395.3630

2010-07-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

Forgiveness and Healing

Global Spirit is a show on LINK TV that describes itself as an “internal travel” series. Host Phil Cousineau takes a journey along with other philosophers and spiritual seekers to explore different traditions, belief systems, religions and sciences. In "Forgiveness and Healing," viewers are taken to place where very few have gone: a place of forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation.

Ed Tick and his wife Kate Dahlstedt are the directors of the organization Soldier’s Heart. This organization is striving to help war veterans heal their psychological wounds, and for their families and communities to support them. Each year they travel to Vietnam with Vietnam War veterans who struggle to heal. "Forgiveness and Healing" details the trip of five war veterans to Vietnam to seek forgiveness for their actions in the war and finally be able to accept their actions. Their journey was extremely painful but in the end they were able to gain the forgiveness they sought and start to heal wounds that developed almost 50 years ago. To watch these men - who have seen death and orchestrated destruction going to the places they fought and asking for forgiveness - is an image one can never forget. Watching a man scream out in agony over the pain he has held inside for half a century will stay with you in your heart and mind. This journey makes us question how we treat soldiers that come back from war and how we can help our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan so they do not have to suffer for fifty years.

Also in this film is the story of Azim Khamisa the founder of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF). Mr. Khamisa lost his son Tariq when he was shot to death as the result of gang violence. The boy who shot is son, Tony, sought Mr. Khamisa’s forgiveness and so did Tony’s grandfather, Ples Felix, who was raising his grandson. Mr. Felix and Mr. Khamisa now work together to promote forgiveness and an end to violence. In "Forgiveness and Healing," Mr. Khamisa talks about a spiritual foundation that assists in healing and forgiveness, and about the cycle of revenge and violence and their “endless repercussions.”

In this film we can see how suffering can last a lifetime, the struggle to find forgiveness and how very powerful forgiveness can be. We at the Gardens of Forgiveness believe that these two organizations, Soldier’s Heart and Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF), truly embody the power that forgiveness holds and its amazing healing qualities. We encourage you all to watch "Forgiveness and Healing."

http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/Forgiveness

http://tkf.org/

2010-07-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

RWANDA

It was sixteen years ago that a small country in the heart of Africa suffered one of the greatest tragedies of the 21st century. In April of 1994 Rwanda, a country sown with ethnic tension, devolved into a 100-day genocide. Approximately 800,000 people died at the hands of ruthless killers, who were also their friends and neighbors.

Sixteen years ago, the world stood by and watched as this country literally self-destructed. Now we must come forward and help the survivors heal. Rwanda has been working to fight against the cycle of revenge and move towards reconciliation. Now Rwanda is one of the fastest developing African nations but the pain of lost loved ones has not been forgotten.

People have been hesitant to talk about forgiveness because, for so many, forgiving means condoning the atrocities, or even worse forgetting them. Forgiveness is for oneself and allows those who embrace it to take control of their lives, to heal and eventually be at peace with their grievances.

It has been studied that gardens aid in the healing process, whether it be a physical or emotional pain. We at the Gardens of Forgiveness want to do our part to help the people of Rwanda heal and move forward as a united country. It was Archbishop Desmond Tutu who said, “There is no future without forgiveness,” and while the international community failed Rwanda in 1994, it is possible for us to now partner with them to create a better future.

Two years ago Reverend Lyndon Harris was invited to a “Gathering of Forgiveness.” A group of Americans led by Reverend Harris went to learn more about Rwanda’s progress towards forgiveness and reconciliation. It was on this trip that they saw “whole communities of victims and perpetrators living side by side.” The courage of the Rwandans to embrace their new future is miraculous. In fact, they have much to teach us about forgiveness.

We at the Gardens of Forgiveness want all Rwandans to have that chance to forgive and heal. The road to forgiveness and reconciliation is always demanding, but such a journey is never taken alone. Let us rise up and help the Rwandans find their way to forgiveness. We are in the preliminary stages of planning a return trip to Rwanda, hopefully in early 2011. More details to follow but in the mean time please visit our Flickr account (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gofnyc/) to view photos from our first visit in February of 2009.

- Reverend Harris, Nikita Mehta

2010-06-20T20:10:00.000-07:00

The Gardens of Forgiveness welcomes Nikita Mehta

We are so fortunate to have Nikita Mehta join us this summer to help us move forward in our vital work of creating a future beyond the cycle of violence. As you can see from her bio below, Nikita brings much to the table. We are so grateful for her enthusiastic partnership in this movement, and can't wait to see the great things that come from our work together!

Please join us in welcoming Nikita!

Bio
My name is Nikita Mehta and I am 20 years old from Bloomfield Hills, MI. I am going to be a junior at the University of Michigan next fall majoring in International Studies and minoring in French. I plan to either get my Masters in International Affairs or to attend law school after graduation. I am on the rowing team at school as a coxswain for men's crew, I am a member of the sorority Alpha Delta Pi, and I was recently initiated into the senior honor society Mortar Board! I am really excited to work with Gardens of Forgiveness this summer and learn more about conflict resolution!

2010-03-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

GOF Director to speak at Feminenza!

Sunday, April 4th, 1-6pm
Cosponsored and hosted by B'nai Jeshurun Synagogue
257 W. 88th Street, NYC

Please mark your calendars and join Rev. Lyndon Harris for his talk on Finding Forgivenesss, Reconciliation and Peace: Exploring "The Seven Pillars of Forgiveness"

2010-02-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

More pictures of Rev. Harris teaching our course on peacemaking... And a lovely image of students' hands with some of the lessons they're taking home with them - on their palms! :)

2010-02-10T15:50:00.000-08:00

Garden of Forgiveness in 5th consecutive year of teaching junior high curriculum at Saint Hilda’s and Saint Hugh’s Episcopal School in New York City!

In November 2005, the Reverend Lyndon Harris began team teaching a class of 8th graders at St. Hilda’s and St. Hugh’s School on the subject of peacemaking. This trimester-long course entitled “Blessed are the Peacemakers: Strategies for Peacemaking in the 21st century” is a pilot program Rev. Harris developed with St. Hilda’s with the intention of offering it as a resource for use in schools across the country. In the class, students consider various strategies for creating peace in light of the unique challenges facing our world today, beginning with the issues brought to light by the horrific acts perpetrated on 9/11. As part of their exploration into the current state of peacemaking in the world, the students tour the United Nations to learn of its mission, goals, successes, and challenges. The students also examine how various faith traditions have approached the concept of peacemaking, so that they might better imagine competent responses to the asymmetrical threat of terrorism and the spread of violence in the world. In his teaching, Rev. Harris devotes special attention to forgiveness as a strategy for creating a peaceful future, as it requires the intentional decision to extricate oneself from the never-ending cycle of revenge. The class concludes with student presentations of their visions of what a Garden of Forgiveness might look like, and how such a garden might serve to promote peace and healing in the world.

Interested in bringing this program to your school? Contact us! We would love to share this work with your students!

Check out some wonderful pictures of Rev. Harris with this year's students:

2010-01-23T20:33:00.001-08:00

(Harris with Garden of Forgiveness visionary Alexandra Asseily)

Rev. Harris at the Parliament of the World's Religions (Dec. '09)

Last month, Rev. Harris presented at the Parliament of the World's Religions conference in Australia. The program theme was "Making a World of Difference", and Harris spoke on the possibilities for transformation and peace-building through forgiveness. The inspiration behind the Garden of Forgiveness movement, Alexandra Asseily (who gave birth to the original Garden of Forgiveness concept in Beirut, Lebanon), also presented. It was a joy for Rev. Harris to be with the woman who inspired our work, and both Harris and Asseily encouraged those gathered at the Parliament to put support behind finishing the construction of the Garden of Forgiveness in Beirut. Our prayers and support go to Asseily and the people of Lebanon for the completion of this visionary garden!

2010-01-23T19:39:00.000-08:00

Rev. Lyndon Harris dedicates Charleston GOF!

This month, Rev. Harris commissioned the first city-sponsored Garden of Forgiveness in the USA--in beautiful Charleston, SC!

While in Charleston, Harris spoke at the Martin Luther King Jr. tribute breakfast (http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/20/boeing-execs-words-energize-king-event/). At the garden dedication, there were 75 enthusiastic volunteers on hand! Mayor Joseph Riley's vision, support and passion for the GOF were tremendous and inspiring! The above photo shows Harris with Mayor Riley at this special event. The movement continues - one Garden of Forgiveness at a time!

For a nice article with lovely pictures about the garden dedication, visit:

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jan/19/hands-helpers/

2008-12-14T10:48:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release
December 14, 2008
Contact: Carly Ritter
ritter@gofnyc.org
Tel: (646) 251-1181

MIZERO Children of Rwanda Choir to perform at St. John’s Lutheran Church
December 20, 2008 - 7:30 PM

The message of forgiveness coming from the mouths of babes! These young orphans and vulnerable children from the beautiful African country of Rwanda will delight and inspire their audiences with song, drumming and dancing!

New York, N.Y. – On December 20th, the day following their performance at the United Nations, a group of Rwandan children, many of whom are orphans who survived the genocide in 1994, will perform at St. John’s Lutheran Church (83 Christopher Street, NYC) at 7:30 PM, taking audiences on a journey into the lives of the Rwandan people through music, dance, costumes and drumming. The group is known as the MIZERO Children of Rwanda - in Kinyarwanda, the language of their home land, “MIZERO” means “HOPE.” The group is on their USA “Forgiveness Tour,” serving as young ambassadors for peace and healing.

While many organizations are helping Rwanda recover from the 1994 genocide, few have addressed the issue of cultural brokenness. “My vision for MIZERO is to build, bring and to spread hope to Rwandan children through our vibrant music and dance traditions. It is my goal to mentor them to help them discover the power of forgiveness as I have, to help these young ones grow up free from hatred, bitterness and the spirit of revenge. This use of the arts combined with the message of forgiveness can help these children heal their wounds from the past and put a stop to violence and any future genocide through this next generation of young leaders,” says MIZERO founder and CEO, Jean Paul Samputu

The UN has declared the year 2009 as the Year of Reconciliation. Samputu and MIZERO have embarked on an impassioned 2009 schedule filled with activities that focus on ‘Forgiveness as a Step to Reconciliation’. This includes the ‘Forgiveness Tour’, various conferences and concerts, and global conferences called ‘Gathering of Forgiveness: A Step to Reconciliation’ to be held in Rwanda in February and July which will also commemorate the 15th year of the Rwandan genocide.

MIZERO Children of Rwanda believes that through music and arts, youth receive self-confidence, life skills and creative expression to help them heal and go forward. These children are sharing their gifts of music and performance while raising awareness about the 1 million other Rwandan orphans. Please visit the Web sites for MIZERO Children of Rwanda (www.mizerochildren.org), Jean Paul Samputu (www.samputu.com), and Gardens of Forgiveness (www.gofnyc.org) to learn more.

2008-10-28T08:07:00.001-07:00

Garden of Forgiveness Formally Dedicated in Stuyvesant Square Park, NYC!

The Friends Seminary Peace Club, Garden of Forgiveness, and Stuyvesant Square Park community came together on It's My Park Day to formally dedicate the Garden of Forgiveness in Stuyvesant Square Park. A stunning plaque naming the garden as a Garden of Forgiveness, and including a quotation from Desmond Tutu ("Without forgiveness, there is no future") was unveiled and will be secured in the garden for posterity.

Peace Club leader Claire Brennan spoke eloquently about the process of creating this newest member of the Global Gardens of Forgiveness Network, and of why forgiveness is a key element in peacemaking. Garden of Forgiveness Executive Director Lyndon Harris also spoke beautifully on the power of forgiveness to heal the past and create new possibilities for the future. We will upload videos from these dedication speeches to YouTube - so keep an eye out for them!

Many families had gathered the morning of the dedication to help plant some bulbs in the still growing garden. Designed by Craig Snoke, working with the Peace Club students, the garden includes white mums in the shape of a white dove of peace opening its wings. Absolutely beautiful! Each bulb planted on the 25th was planted with the hope and intention of peace through forgiveness.

Scroll up for some pictures from the event, visit the Stuyvesant Square Park wiki page on our website for more information, and stay tuned for updates on this garden's growth!

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

2008-08-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

Turkish Cultural Center in NYC hosts screening of "The Power of Forgiveness" with The Garden of Forgiveness!

On July 30th, the Garden of Forgiveness presented a screening of "The Power of Forgiveness," hosted and sponsored by the Turkish Cultural Center. We had a great crowd of people who offered deep insights after the film. Garden of Forgiveness Executive Director Lyndon Harris spoke of his own journey to forgiveness and to the work of the Garden of Forgiveness, and took questions and comments. One woman remembered something her father told her when she was full of anger and bitterness at a point in her life: he said, "you are producing your own poison." A powerful way of thinking of holding onto grudges and grievances! It reminded us of the Nelson Mandela quotation that bitterness is "like drinking a glass of poison and waiting for your enemies to die." We also heard powerful stories from a Turkish woman who had suffered discrimination and hostility after 9/11 simply because she is a Muslim, a man who spoke to the vital importance of overcoming such ignorance with open dialogues, and a woman who had asked for forgiveness from her brother and now enjoys a great relationship with him after many years of not speaking. To be sure, we all saw examples of the "power of forgiveness" that night! The conversation was wonderful, and the group really appreciated the film, sensitively made by Journey Films (www.journeyfilms.com).

We also want to express our deepest gratitude to the Turkish Cultural Center, which hosted the screening and showed the most beautiful hospitality. They had delicious Turkish coffee and treats, as well as rose water for everyone to use! Their space is gorgeous, warm, and inviting and they put on exceptional programming. One of our favorites is their "Abraham's Table" series where they have a Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scholar all speak on one topic from the perspective of their faiths. It's an enlightening series, which highlights the wonderful similarities and differences of these three faiths - and helps us all grow in understanding and compassion for one another! Thank you Turkish Cultural Center for supporting our work of forgiveness and putting on such a marvelous screening!!

To read more about the event, and to learn more about the terrific work of the Turkish Cultural Center, please visit: http://www.turkishculturalcenter.com/alt/power_of_forgiveness.htm

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

2008-07-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

On June 26th, we welcomed a wonderful group of youth from St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta, GA, to learn about the Gardens of Forgiveness movement. We had originally planned to work with them in our newest Garden of Forgiveness (Stuyvesant Square Park, NYC, started by the high school Peace Club of Friends Seminary). However, due to rainy weather, we instead had the group over to our office to view a slideshow presentation by our Executive Director, Rev. Lyndon Harris, about his journey from 9/11 to forgiveness.

The group asked terrific questions about forgiveness, and offered their own insights on our work. They had been touring Ground Zero and St. Paul's Chapel in the days before meeting with us, and had spoken with several of the staff from the St. Paul's Chapel 9/11 relief operation. (Katherine Avery, Director of Program Development at St. Luke's, was Rev. Harris' administrative assistant - and a shining light - during the relief operation. She was one of the adults leading this youth pilgrimage.) We gave each of the youth bookmarks with seeds embedded in them, in hopes that they might plant their own mini Gardens of Forgiveness - or, more appropriately, potted plants of forgiveness! We also 'planted a seed' (aka made a suggestion) for a Garden of Forgiveness at St. Luke's in Atlanta!

To read about St. Luke's "Returning Good for Evil" youth "Pilgri-mission" to NYC, visit their blog at: http://stlukeseyc.blogspot.com/

2008-07-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

AOL Health News reports that houseplants reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost creativity, and clean toxins out of the air!

For people who love plants and gardening, these research results probably won't be much of a surprise. But research shows that just seeing greenery is calming and stress-reducing. Plants can also add moisture to the air, which lessens sore throats and cold symptoms. The article also says that plants like the kentia palm pull toxins out of the air! And Chinese evergreen and arrowhead vine lowers blood pressure!

This should inspire us all to add plants to our homes and work spaces. And it further shows why "Gardens of Forgiveness" are such brilliant, beautiful ideas! Gardens and plants are healing, as is forgiveness. And by reducing stress, plants make an environment "forgiveness-friendly." By spending time in a Garden of Forgiveness, one can get the peace and healing one needs. I just love the idea of plants pulling toxins from the air around us... just the way forgiveness pulls out and releases toxins from our bodies and souls!

To read more about the health benefits of plants, copy and paste the link into your browser:
(http://www.aolhealth.com/healthy-living/home-remedies/houseplants-health-benefits?icid=200100397x1205189597x1200247353)

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

2008-07-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

(Summer Friends campers working in the Garden of Forgiveness at Stuyvesant Square Park)

Last Monday I worked in the Stuyvesant Square Park Garden of Forgiveness with "Summer Friends" - a summer camp group associated with Friends Seminary, the school that started this beautiful Garden of Forgiveness in NYC. It was so exciting the see how hard these young people (ages 9-13) worked! And with what enthusiasm and passion! Their task for the day was to spread mulch around the garden, so as to prevent weeds from cropping up and to keep the moisture in the soil for the health of the current plants growing in the garden.

It struck me how much work goes into tending and taking care of a garden. To keep it healthy and flourishing there must be a lot of work done. If only we could view ourselves similarly: that to keep our bodies and souls healthy, we must tend and take care of ourselves with the same concern, attention, tenderness and care. We have to look out for weeds of bitterness and anger, and lay a groundwork of forgiveness so they keep from spreading, choking off the life and beauty of the rest of the garden.

Recently, we had to take care of a fungus that was on our rododendrum. The fungus left black spots on the leaves and stems, and it took a lot of careful work to cut off the infected parts, and treat the rest of the plant with fungicide. As I did this, I thought of how much more seriously we might take our tendency to hold anger, greivances, and bitterness if it showed up on our bodies like a fungus! It certainly wreaks havoc on our bodies, and souls, if left unchecked (as Dr. Fred Luskin has shown in his research). As Nelson Mandela said, resentment is "like drinking a glass of poison and waiting for your enemies to die." But we often don't see the damage to ourselves as it's being done. If we could, we might just be a little quicker to forgive!

It's amazing how healing gardening can be - and how many ways it serves as a metaphor for forgiveness!

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

(Me next to some of our beautiful plants!)

2008-06-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

Awards for THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS documentary

In May 2008, The POWER of FORGIVENESS received the Silver Screen Award by the US International Film and Video Festival in the category of Religion, Ethics and Humanities! It was also listed as #6 BESTSELLER on AMAZON / DOCUMENTARIES / SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY!

We are thrilled that this thoughtful and sensitive film on the subject of forgiveness is receiving the attention and accolades it so deserves. We are honored that our work is featured in one of the film's vignettes, and hope that the message we are participating in sharing with the world reaches the multitudes! Films such as these are important tools in creating a world beyond violence and lasting hatreds.

Congratulations to Journey Films for your marvelous work - keep it up! And read below for the official press release about the Silver Screen Award!

For Immediate Release
May 2, 2008
Contact: Dan Juday
dan@journeyfilms.com
703-519-8200

POWER of FORGIVENESS
Wins Silver Screen Award

The POWER of FORGIVENESS has been awarded the Silver Screen Award by the US International Film and Video Festival in the category of Religion, Ethics and Humanities. Founded in 1967, the Festival is one of the world’s leading international events, devoted exclusively to recognition of outstanding film and video productions. This year there were more than 1,100 entries. Award ceremonies will be held on June 6 & 7 in West Hollywood, California.

The POWER of FORGIVENESS is currently being broadcast on public television throughout the United States and is available in home video format (DVD). As part of the outreach effort that launched the film, special screenings of the film were held in more than 40 cities nationally, including The Washington National Cathedral, the United Nations in New York and at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. The film also won Best Picture Award at the Sun Valley Film Festival in 2007.

Of the award, filmmaker Martin Doblmeier said, “It’s very gratifying that a film that has found such a devoted audience around the country is also judge so positively by the industry. As we traveled around the world and interviewed people with so many different stories, we earned a heightened appreciation for both the need for and the benefits of forgiveness.”
The film examines the role forgiveness can play in alleviating anger and grief, as well as the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that come with forgiveness. It combines character-driven stories about the most dramatic transgressions imaginable with other stories that feel more familiar, more understandable to the viewer. Story locations include Beirut, Northern Ireland, Amish country and Ground Zero. The POWER of FORGIVENESS includes stories and interviews with people from many faith traditions: Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel on forgiveness in the Jewish faith; Azim Khamisa on forgiveness and Islam; Rev. James Forbes, pastor emeritus of Riverside Church in New York, on forgiveness from a Christian perspective. And best-selling author Thomas Moore (Care of the Soul) speaks on forgiveness from a spiritual dimension.
- end –

2008-06-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

Garden of Forgiveness grows in Stuyvesant Square Park with Friends Seminary "Peace Club"!

Thanks to the efforts of the student Peace Club at Friends Seminary school in NYC, one more garden joins the Global Gardens of Forgiveness Network! A beautiful quadrant of Stuyvesant Square Park is being developed into a gorgeous garden that speaks to peace through the power of forgiveness. Craig Snoke, a local landscape designer, worked with the student Peace Club to come up with a glorious and inspiring design, which includes white flowers in the shape of a peace dove opening its wings - a soaring image!

Students at Friends Seminary and other partners in the Gardens of Forgiveness movement will work in the garden on a regular basis, to tend it and keep forgiveness growing in our neighborhood and city!

The above pictures shows our Garden of Forgiveness Executive Director, Lyndon Harris, planting in the Stuyvesant Square Garden of Forgiveness with Friends Seminary students and parents.

We'll keep you updated on plantings and progess!

2008-05-12T13:12:00.000-07:00

Rev. Rod Reinhart leads First Annual Interfaith Prayer for the Healing of the Earth and Blessing of the Gardens in Illinois Gardens of Forgiveness!

Rev. Reinhart is one of our most loyal, effective, and visionary partners. He has dedicated four Gardens of Forgiveness in Illinois and has developed wonderful programming around these gardens. A wonderful article was recently published about the interfaith prayer service for the healing of the earth, in which prayers of repentance for the mistreatment of the earth will be said: (find link to article on our wiki page: http://gardensofforgivenessnetwork.pbwiki.com/Harvey%2C-Illinois)

Rev. Reinhart sees the beautiful connection between gardens and forgiveness: both are healing. As Rev. Reinhart says in the above article, "I believe when people plant flowers, they beautify and heal the whole neighborhood, city and world... When God gave the earth to Adam and Eve, he gave it to all humanity. He asked us to take care of this beautiful creation he made. So we're called to be partners with God in the creation and preservation of the natural world."

We are seeing, through Rev. Reinhart's work, that we must place a greater emphasis on every Garden of Forgiveness existing as a means to heal and support our beautiful planet, in addition to supporting and healing ourselves and our communities. Perhaps every Garden of Forgiveness should have at least one tree planted in its space, so that, while we ask forgiveness for our abuse of the earth, we may simultaneously support and encourage its healing and health. On every tree could be a plaque, praying: "Forgive Us, Fragile Planet." Just a thought!

We recently asked a few questions of Rev. Reinhart and his work planting Gardens of Forgiveness. He shared his powerful story and gave helpful suggestions to others thinking of dedicating their own Gardens of Forgiveness! For the interview, visit our Harvey, Illinois wiki page: (http://gardensofforgivenessnetwork.pbwiki.com/Harvey%2C-Illinois)

God Bless You, Rev. Reinhart, in your important work! Thank you for supporting our movement to heal the past, and create the future--one Garden of Forgiveness at a time!

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

2008-05-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

Pangea Day is May 10th!

Today we received an email from Alexandra Asseily (Founder/Visionary behind Beirut's Garden of Forgiveness) about Pangea Day, a global event to bring the people of the world together through the power of film. Tomorrow, 24 short films will be shown on television, as well as on the Pangea Day website by live stream (http://www.pangeaday.org/). The films - "made by the world for the world" - speak to our shared humanity.

Alexandra Asseily informed us that two men we met and heard speak during our 2005 visit to Lebanon (http://www.gofnyc.org/articles/BeirutDiary.pdf) will appear from London with Christian Anappour during the Pangea Day event tomorrow. Assad Chaftari and Muhieddine Mustapha Chehab were the leaders of the opposing militia during Lebanon's Civil War (one Christian, one Sunni Muslim). They speak today about educating people to overcome prejudice and intolerance and hatred, they have publicly asked for forgiveness for their participation in the civil war's atrocities, and they planted an olive tree for peace in Beirut's Garden of Forgiveness, Hadiqat as-Samah, in 2006.

We should all continue to pray for Lebanon, that the message of peace and forgiveness would reach all ears and transform all hearts. Today, the terrible threat articulated by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah reminds us how vital it is that we work for peaceful solutions to problems and stop the insane cycle of violence and revenge. Nasrallah re-states the vengeful cry to perpetuate this destructive cycle that has so haunted Lebanon in the past: "Those who try to arrest us, we will arrest them. Those who shoot at us, we will shoot at them. The hand raised against us, we will cut it off." Sunni leader Saad Hariri responded to Narallah, pleading with him to stop the violence and remove Hezbollah fighters off the streets in order to "save Lebanon from hell." (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/981937.html)

Tomorrow, support Pangea Day by tuning into their broadcast, and listen to the words of Chaftari and Chehab - two men who have seen the vicious cycle of violence and the destruction it brings - as they call for peace through forgiveness.

(Submitted by CCR)

2008-04-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

A PRAYER IN THE GARDEN OF FORGIVENESS -HADIQAT AS- SAMAH
Beirut, Lebanon APRIL 13TH 2008

Alexandra Asseily, the visionary behind the Garden of Forgiveness in Beirut, Lebanon, and the inspiration for our global Gardens of Forgiveness movement sends this dispatch:

Dear One and All,

Offre Joie and many other NGOs and committed individuals organised a peace march from Mar Mikhail to the Centre of Beirut along the ‘green line’ ( it took us 3 hours to walk it!). We went through the barriers dividing the down-town area and walked amongst the tents of Hezbollah and other opposition groups.

On a stage in Martyrs’ Square a podium was set up across the barbed wire divide and there eight presenters from all the different TV stations, affiliated to different political factions, agreed (miraculously to present the same one hour program simultaneously. They each talked of their war memories (many were children at the time), and their hopes for peace.

Following this, leading representatives of all the 18 different religious communities in Lebanon, together said the same prayer for peace which included asking for forgiveness one from the other.

Finally, we planted an olive tree in the Garden of Forgiveness, Hadiqat as-Samah and below is a prayer I wrote for it.

APRIL 13TH 2008
A PRAYER IN THE GARDEN OF FORGIVENESS -HADIQAT AS- SAMAH

“In this ancient place of over 2,000 years of human living, three generations of Lebanese of different faiths and histories, meet today in the name of Unity and Hope.

We plant this olive tree in the memory of the thousands of those who died, disappeared or suffered as a result of the war which began this day 33 years ago and of so many who still suffer its effects today.

We pray that the pain in the memory of this war will be transformed through compassion and forgiveness and that our children and their children and future generations will live in peace. Our Unity is our Salvation.”

-Alexandra Asseily

We are deeply grateful for your vision Alexandra, and are inspired by your courage!

2008-04-07T16:52:00.000-07:00

A Genocide Remembered

To observe the 14th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, Jacqueline Murekatete’s Human Rights Corner (a Partner Initiative Program of Miracle Corners of the World) organized two excellent panel discussions on genocide-prevention and education. I felt honored to attend these events, and also to read a testimony of a Rwandan genocide survivor at a “Reading of the Testimonies, NYC” event today in Washington Square Park.

Events for remembering these mass atrocities are so important, and so very difficult. Hearing from the panelists at the event today was painful – each panelist had survived a different genocide (Armenia, the Holocaust, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur) and spoke of the experience of living through and witnessing horror beyond comprehension. Somberly, they reminded us that the promise “Never Again” is actually “Again and Again,” as we continue to see mass atrocities committed in our world today in places like Darfur.

I have to say, on a day like today, it is hard to stay hopeful: it is hard to believe that one day we will end the compulsion of some to destroy others; that we will succeed in stopping violent and hateful behavior. Remembering the millions and millions killed in genocides over the last 100 years -- and asking ourselves, “How can this happen and how do we stop it from happening??” – is overwhelming, to say the least.

And yet I know the answer is not giving into despair, as tempting as that may be. The answer is not letting the dark side of humanity paralyze us or turn us into depressed cynics. I know we must continue, in hope, to educate and inspire, to transform hearts and minds, to be instruments of peace and to spread light wherever there is darkness. We must continue our work with a vision of a united humanity, knowing that even one life spared from violence is worth the effort.

So, we must all be activists and ACT. We must do everything in our power to prevent and stop violence wherever we see it, in whatever form it takes.

In the events of the past two days, prevention was emphasized in a big way. As one panelist put it, “there aren’t enough lawyers and therapists in the world to deal with the atrocities that have already happened, so we must work to prevent these things from happening.” In Rwanda, where so many were involved in the murders, the authorities face an impossible task of bringing each perpetrator to justice. And because of the vast number of victims/survivors, not all can get the help they so desperately need (many are HIV positive because of the rapes they suffered during the genocide, and yet they cannot afford the medicine). Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing are all needed so badly by these survivors. It is a daunting task, though hopefully not impossible.

On a side note, I was thrilled to see that forgiveness has played a healing role for some in Rwanda (see the excellent case study from Rwanda in the Christian Science Monitor’s series “Africa After War: Paths to Forgiveness”: http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1024/p01s03-woaf.html)

Today, the panel of genocide survivors agreed that education is the best vaccine against genocide. To inoculate our children against seeing others as less than human, we must teach them of our shared humanity and cultivate a sense of our global citizenship. I hope that forgiveness would be part of these preventive measures; forgiveness education is already taking place in Ireland (see the documentary “The Power of Forgiveness” for an amazing case study on this) and the potential is wondrous.

I believe forgiveness is a powerful, underused vaccine against violence. If all of us were better at it, the grievances which erupt into mass killings and genocides would not be allowed to fester. But in order for any kind of preventive measure to work, we have to be diligent in observing “hot spots” for where resentments and grievances are growing unchecked. Even little words have power and consequences, as one speaker reminded us today. When people start using words to dehumanize others – perhaps referring to others as “vermin,” “rats,” “cockroaches,” and the like – we should be very concerned. Genocides don’t come out of nowhere; there are many indicators that serious trouble is brewing whether it’s persecution, scapegoat-ing/blaming, intimidation, isolation, dehumanization, or small-scale, calculated murders. In fact, a brilliant book called The Exception by Christian Jungersen looks at some of the behaviors and thought-patterns that, if left unchecked, will boil over into murder and genocide. If we ACT the moment we notice these behaviors arising, we might be able to prevent the nightmare of genocide. Educate, dialogue with, train in forgiveness —- we must do anything and everything to bring conflicted people together to dispel biases and misunderstandings they have about each other.

So there is much to do, and we need everyone to share their gifts and come up with creative solutions to stop the violence in the world. We can look to great examples of strength and courage and vision like Jacqueline Murekatete, herself a Rwandan genocide survivor, who has committed herself to remembering what happened in her country, educating others about it, and doing whatever she can to prevent similar atrocities from happening. And she does all this with such an open heart, which is remarkable after all she has been through, all she has lost. But, as she says, “I don't go through my life every day being hateful or being bitter, because I know that that's going to destroy only me. And that's -- the people who killed my family, that's probably what they want to see: Me bitter and being angry. They don't want me to see me happy and successful. So in a way, I think being bitter and being hateful is kind of giving them that satisfaction. So I'm more concerned with growing up and, I mean, I'm grown, but you know, being successful and having a family and accomplishing my goals.” (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/africa/jan-june04/genocide_04-09-04.html) What a great woman to speak on behalf of all those who were so tragically silenced. May we always remember them, and always believe that each of us can do something to help make this world a safe and peaceful place.

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

2008-04-04T14:03:00.001-07:00

The Garden of Forgiveness Remembers and Celebrates the Life and Ministry of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: what a great and true example for us of the power of love and forgiveness to make change - yes, real change - in our too-often violent, ignorant and hate-filled world. Forgiveness is most certainly not weakness, as Dr. King's life shows. To be loving and merciful demands a strength many of us cannot comprehend, especially when it is love and mercy in the face of racism, hatred, bigotry, and violence.

Dr. King shows us today that we can overcome the crises of our times; we need not surrender to hopelessness and despair, or bitterness and enmity. We can move forward with our hearts open and our heads held high, not returning violence for violence, but loving our enemies and opening new possibilities for healing and reconciliation and peace.

I will end this entry with several of my favorite Dr. King quotations because, of course, no one says it better than he:

"Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

"Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."

"The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood."

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom."

"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."

"Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him."

Let us this and every day remember the lives of the great leaders who have gone before us. May they guide and inspire us in our own lives, as we work to create a world of love and brother- and sister-hood through the awesome power of forgiveness.

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

2008-04-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a great quotation that is the heart of what I was trying to express in my blog entry "Forgive and Remember," dated March 18 (http://gofnyc.blogspot.com/2008/03/forgive-and-remember-i-would-like-to.html):

“It is not ‘forgive and forget’ as if nothing wrong had ever happened, but ‘forgive and go forward,’ building on the mistakes of the past and the energy generated by reconciliation to create a new future.”
– Carolyn Osiek, Beyond Anger

Also, there's a terrific blog called Original Faith that explores issues of forgiveness... Check it out!

http://www.originalfaith.com/blog/index.html

2008-04-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

Flowers for Forgiveness and Reconciliation - Beautiful!

HAPPY RECONCILIATION DAY!!! Today, April 2nd, is Reconciliation Day and below is a wonderful press release about 1-800-FLOWERS.COM's efforts to promote forgiveness and reconciliation through "Garden Pathway" bouquets intended to repair relationships. Another reasons why we're doing Gardens of Forgiveness... The healing power of nature is a perfect compliment to the healing power of forgiveness. As one tends a Garden of Forgiveness, he or she is also tending his or her own heart and soul and body.

Go Flowers.com!!!

Here's the press release:

1-800-FLOWERS.COM(R) Celebrates the Flowers' Power to Reconcile

Posted : Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:05:03 GMT
Author : 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.
Category : Press Release

Online Floral Company Offers a Special Bouquet for April 2nd Reconciliation Day

CARLE PLACE, N.Y., April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For over 30 years, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM(R) has been helping friends, relatives and romantics express their deepest sentiments of love, longing, gratitude and sympathy through fresh flowers and thoughtful gifts. In honor of Reconciliation Day on April 2, the world's leading florist is now coming to the aid of the feuding and the estranged by offering a special bouquet intended to reconnect and repair strained relationships.

To promote reconciliation among fighting friends and lost loved ones, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM is giving all customers looking to make amends a 15 percent discount on the purchase of the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Garden Pathway bouquet from March 31 through April 4. Using flowers as a modern day "olive branch," the vibrant floral arrangement comprised of fresh pink roses, sunflowers, lilies and daisy poms is a cheerful burst of color, perfect for those seeking forgiveness and attempting resolution.

In celebration of Reconciliation Day, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM is paying homage to former syndicated advice columnist Ann Landers who began popularizing the concept in 1989. Citing the healing powers of forgiveness, Landers urged her readers and beyond to bury the hatchet and reconnect with former friends and arguing relatives. Today, Reconciliation Day serves as a reminder for people to take an active approach in fixing a broken relationship and 1-800-FLOWERS.COM is pleased to continue Landers simple idea of reconciliation by giving customers a unique floral option specially designed to say "I'm Sorry."

"The philosophy behind Reconciliation Day matches the goal of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM to connect people and reinforce relationships through the delivery of thoughtful and surprising gifts," said Jim McCann, CEO and founder of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. "We hope that our Garden Pathway bouquet will inspire people to use the magic of flowers to reach out and make amends with estranged friends and family."

For those needing a last-minute fix to any lingering conflict, the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Garden Pathway bouquet, honoring Reconciliation Day, is available for next-day and same-day delivery.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/1-800-flowerscomr-celebrates-the-flowers-power-to-reconcile,334079.shtml

2008-03-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

"Decide to Forgive" by Robert Muller, former Assistant Secretary General

(A beautiful poem in commemoration of United Nations International Week of Forgiveness... I won't write anything about the poem, for it says it all...)

Decide to forgive
For resentment is negative
Resentment is poisonous
Resentment diminishes

and devours the self.
Be the first to forgive
To smile and take the first step
And you will see happiness bloom
On the face of your human

brother or sister
Be always the first
Do not wait for others to forgive

For by forgiving
You become the master of fate
The fashioner of life
A doer of miracles

To forgive is the highest

most beautiful form of love
In return you will recieve

untold peace and happiness

http://www.robertmuller.org/decide/

2008-03-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

Today is Good Friday, the day Christians everywhere remember the humiliating and painful death of Jesus Christ. We today are familiar with tremendous suffering and humiliation - we see it on the news, sometimes even in our own lives, all the time. And we know the typical responses to suffering: cries of anguish, cursing of the perpetrators. It is rare that we hear a word of peace, especially a word of forgiveness, spoken from the victim while he/she is suffering. Yet this is precisely what Jesus did from the cross, asking God to forgive his murderers: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." In this awesome prayer of mercy, we are given a model for transformation; as Jurgen Moltmann writes, "With Christ's prayer of forgiveness from the cross the universal religion of revenge is overcome and the universal law of retaliation is annulled."

Since I was a child, I was always taken by Christ's prayer of forgiveness from the cross. I often thought of the latter part of the prayer: "for they know not what they do." Often, as Christians, we interpret this as Jesus acknowledging that those who torture and torment him do not recognize that he is the beloved Son of God and Messiah. Yet I have heard many others, too, use this line to help them forgive a person or people who have caused them pain: "they do not know what they are doing, they did not know what they did."

In a very powerful way, we can see that people who perpetrate violence and evil are blinded in a deep way, not understanding our purpose on this earth, not understanding our connection with - and responsibility to - one another. We ourselves are blinded at times, not recognizing the pain we cause each other, or how one selfish or careless action can cause pain to another for years beyond the initial act. To emphasize this point, I will end will a beautiful quotation from the great philosopher Kierkegaard, who writes of love as our only real purpose - and that, when we fail to love, we really ‘miss the mark’ and, on a deep level, show a failure to understand the great call of our lives (we know not what we are doing):

"The commandment is that you shall love, but when you understand life and yourself, then it is as if you should not need to be commanded, because to love human beings is still the only thing worth living for; without this life you really do not live" (Kierkegaard, Works of Love).

On this Good Friday, let us understand our duty and privilege to love one another, and let us forgive those who fail to understand what they do and how it wounds others and makes the God of Love and Mercy weep.

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

2008-03-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

Forgive and Remember

I would like to suggest that "forgive and forget" is not the most helpful advice when trying to cope with, and heal from, a hurt. If you come to a place where you are actually able to forgive a person or event, you should remember the story and remember your heroic choice to forgive. The painful events in our lives shape us, and how we respond to them is monumental in how we move forward in our lives. We can never truly forget what has happened to us, so we should not put our energies into attempting to erase memories. Forgiveness is just a different way of remembering: it is remembering our past without falling into the role of victim; forgiveness is living victoriously in spite of all we have been through. Alexandra Asseily (a psychotherapist who is the visionary behind creating a Garden of Forgiveness in Beirut, Lebanon, where she hopes the peoples of Lebanon can find healing and peace after their long civil war and continuing strife) says that forgiveness is releasing the "sting" from a painful memory, so that we are no longer "puppets of the past." If we can remember a traumatic event without feeling the trauma and pain of it, we can move on in our lives feeling stronger, more hopeful, and more at peace with our vulnerable human existence.

For those of you looking for a straightfoward and effective methodology of forgiveness, one of the best was developed at Stanford University by Dr. Fred Luskin. His book Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness is brilliant and accessible. Dr. Luskin's forgiveness method is secular and based on scientific research, but it can be easily transferred into a spiritual context and faith tradition.

Please also go through the rest of our website (www.gofnyc.org) to learn more about Gardens of Forgiveness - and how you and your community can join a global movement of healing the past and creating the future through the power of forgiveness!

2008-03-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

Buy a "Butterfly Garden" rug or pillow and benefit our cause!

Jo Ellen Designs has dedicated one of their beautiful designs to The Garden of Forgiveness! If you buy a "Butterfly Garden" rug or pillow, you will also be giving to The Garden of Forgiveness! Jo Ellen Designs will donate $10 for each "Butterfly Garden" item you purchase... Please buy as many of these stunning items as you can, and help us plant peace and forgiveness around the world!
Butterfly Garden rug: http://www.joellendesigns.com/butterflygardenrug.html
Butterfly Garden pillow: http://www.joellendesigns.com/butterflygardenpil.html
About Designs for Good: http://www.joellendesigns.com/designsforgoodone.html

2008-03-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Professor Piet Meiring, theology professor at the University of Pretoria, served on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa and published a compelling account of the inner workings of the Commission, entitled ''A Chronicle of the Truth Commission ''(Carpe Diem Books, Vanderbijl Park, South Africa, 1999). A section of the book entitled "The God of Surprises" was published in the REC Mission Bulletin (Reformed Ecumenical Council) and can be found of the REC website:

http://rec.gospelcom.net/MB-April00meiring.html

The stories of forgiveness that came out of the TRC in South Africa are remarkable. It is hard to imagine what it took for families of victims to forgive their perpetrators. Of course, it is very complicated and there are still many emotions that run the full spectrum from hatred to forgiveness to this day. (The terrific South African film "Forgiveness" (2004) investigates how one family copes with the trauma of apartheid and losing a loved one, and how they struggle with forgiving the perpetrator: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forgiveness_(film).) However, I imagine that those who have chosen to walk the path to forgiveness have been able to find more peace in their lives. In the above story from Prof. Meiring's book, the perpetrator was able to recognize his terrible actions and speak to his victim's family, giving them the information they wanted, and providing them with an opportunity to see his humanity and forgive him. Forgiveness is a long journey, but it is truly a worthy one, and necessary, if we are to find healing and peace.

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

2008-03-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

I read a most amazing poem today - a poem that seems to capture the spirit of what The Garden of Forgiveness is all about. It is a poem by Alice Walker (see below) and it encourages us to respond to acts of destruction and violence by creating something life-giving; planting a garden (or, in this case, a tree) in a spirit of peace and mercy. If we choose to respond in this way to those people and actions that cause us pain, we will slowly begin to choke off the cycles of violence that are fueled by hatred and revenge, and we will accelerate the process of our own healing.

As the lyric in the musical Rent says, "the opposite of war isn't peace, it's creation." We CAN build a world on the strong and sturdy foundation of compassion and forgiveness, so let us create Gardens of Forgiveness and discover a world beyond violence and revenge!

Here is the powerful poem by Alice Walker from Anything We Love Can Be Saved:

When they torture your mother
plant a tree
When they torture your father
plant a tree
When they torture your brother and your sister
plant a tree
When they assassinate your leaders and lovers
plant a tree
When they torture you
too bad
to talk
plant a tree
When they begin to torture
the trees
and cut down the forest
they have made
start another

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

p.s. The above photograph is one I took in front of St. Paul's Chapel in NYC about one year ago. These beautiful spring tulips were a hopeful vision, especially as they seemed to stand in defiance to death (a burst of color and life in front of the cold, gray tombstones). Planting flowers, trees, and Gardens of Forgiveness is one way that we, too, can add to the life and beauty and healing and hope of our precious planet.

2008-03-07T14:55:00.000-08:00

"The Power of Forgiveness" documentary released in video stores!

Imagine our delight at the recent discovery that the documentary "The Power of Forgiveness" is now on the 'New Releases' shelf at our local video rental store! This beautifully-made film features some of our work (primarily our efforts to create a Garden of Forgiveness at the former World Trade Center site in NYC). Ours is one of several vignettes about how forgiveness can heal the past and transform lives. It is definitely worth checking out!

ALSO, there is a new book that accompanies the film:

New Book about the Power of Forgiveness Film Launches

“The spirit of forgiveness could change our world for the better. Everyone should read this book.”
Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul
“Forgiveness may be the best hope for our rage-filled world. In a lively style, Kenneth Briggs deftly explores the tough questions and illuminates the transforming power of forgiveness."
– Donald Kraybill, co-author of Amish Grace

In The POWER of FORGIVENESS, a new book based on the film by Martin Doblmeier that will be broadcast nationwide on public television beginning mid-March (broadcast dates here), author Kenneth Briggs presents a conversation of a better way of dealing with anger, resentment and violence through reconciliation and the complex, yet healing, patterns that emerge from the subject of forgiveness.

Briggs will address these issues when he speaks March 12 at 9 a.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, 13th Fl, Washington D.C. Media and the public are invited to attend.

He will be joined in a panel discussion by

Moderator, Sally Quinn—Washington Post journalist, author and Washington DC insider, Sally Quinn founded and co-moderates On Faith, a blog from the Washington Post and Newsweek

Thomas Moore— author of Care of the Soul, which spent forty-six weeks on The New York Times bestseller list, and fifteen other books on deepening spirituality and cultivating the soul in every aspect of life.

Martin Doblmeier— President and founder of Journey Films and director of The POWER of FORGIVENESS film. His documentaries have aired on PBS, NBC, ABC, the History Channel, and other cable networks.
The book examines the mysterious power of forgiveness at work in the world. Commenting and borrowing from the film of the same title, from Journey Films, the book focuses on real people going through real struggles and faced with all the betrayal, loss, grief and confusion that human nature encounters. But it also portrays the healing power of forgiveness as understood in religious traditions, social-scientific research and the lives of people around the world. Illuminating and wise, Kenneth Brigg’s work probes deeply how we can freshly engage the elusive quality of forgiveness and hope forgiveness and reconciliation sometimes transform the personal, social, political and cultural scripts that plague us.

Also included are compelling interviews with forgiveness researchers and with such luminaries as Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, Sr. Helen Prejean, Pastor James A. Forbes Jr., Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh and acclaimed spiritual writer Thomas Moore.

Kenneth Briggs joined the staff of Newsday in 1970, becoming its first religion writer. He moved to The New York Times in 1974 as the religion editor and remained there until 1985. Since then he has freelanced and taught, as well as written two important works on Roman Catholicism in America: Holy Siege: The year that Shook Catholic America (1992) and Double-Crossed: Uncovering the Catholic Church’s Betrayal of American Nuns (2006). He is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and a regular columnist for Beliefnet.com.

Martin Doblmeier, President and found of Journey Films, has traveled on location for forty countries to profile numerous religious leaders, religious communities, heads of state and Nobel Laureates. His documentaries, among them Creativity: Touching the Divine, Bernardin and the widely acclaimed BONHOEFFER, have aired on PBS, NBC, ABC, The History Channel, other cable networks and several countries around the world.

The book is AVAILABLE NOW at
http://journeyfilms.timberlakepublishing.com/store_product.asp?prodid=206

2008-03-07T10:49:00.001-08:00

"Delicious Peace" Coffee Project

Last night, we had four amazing farmers from Uganda - representing local Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities - speak to us about their interfaith coffee cooperative. Their goal is to make quality coffee and, with it, send a message of peace, interfaith cooperation, and economic development to their communities in Uganda, and to the rest of the world.

J.J. Keki, a Jewish coffee farmer and very gifted musician, is the visionary behind this coffee cooperative. He spoke to his hope that it stand as a message to the world that we CAN work together, regardless of our differences. Keki spoke of the violence in Kenya and in the Middle East, pointing out that people often kill over very small, insignificant differences.

I sometimes hear people speaking negatively about organized religion, saying that it's the cause of so much violence in the world. We all understand where this sentiment comes from, and yet we should all acknowledge that violence is a perversion of any of the major faiths. To use God or religion as a reason to kill is a horrendous crime; a dismal excuse. And, if there were no religions, don't you think that, unfortunately, we would still find a million reasons to hate and kill each other? The sad fact is that too many people seem to be better at condemning, instead of celebrating and respecting, our many differences, and that's regardless of whether it's Hutu or Tutsi, Christian or Muslim or Jewish, black or white, Israeli or Palestinian.

Thankfully, there are still many more who know that there is another way to live in the world, that is, in a spirit of cooperation, tolerance, respect, forgiveness, and love. This is why projects like "Delicious Peace" (and their fair-trade distributor, Thanksgiving Coffee) are so important. We all need to stand together to show that the forces of peace are stronger than the forces of destruction. This is what we, at The Garden of Forgiveness, intend to do. The Ugandan farmers will continue growing their coffee and we will continue growing our gardens... and, together, we will "grow peace" in the world!

Be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming documentary, "Delicious Peace Grows in a Ugandan Coffee Bean" by filmmakers Ellen Friedland and Curt Fissel.

For more information about "Delicious Peace," visit: http://www.deliciouspeace.com/

To support this fair-trade, interfaith initiative for peace, consider starting a Monthly Buying Club at your local church, synagogue, mosque, community center, or other community group. The coffee, as its name promises, is absolutely delicious.
Please contact Holly at (800) 462-1999 ext 49, or holly@thanksgivingcoffee.com for further information.

(Submitted by C. Ritter)

2008-01-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

I just received the following "Quote of the Week" from SojoMail (of Sojourners). It is quite powerful, and speaks to the desperate need for forgiveness, as the critical choice remains for Israelis and Palestinians to opt out of the cycle for violence and revenge... and create a new future.

From SojoMail@sojo.net:

We need to find a way to stop this flow of blood. It is bringing hatred in the hearts of the children. The only solution is to reach an agreement with the Israelis: we can't just finish each other off.

- Maher Taafish, a Gaza resident whose father was shot dead during an Israeli incursion that killed at least 18 Palestinians. The tank and helicopter attack came in response to rockets fired by Palestinian militants and after a sniper killed a farmworker across the border with Israel. More than 1,000 Israelis have been killed by Palestinians since September 2000. More than 4,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israelis. (Source: The Guardian)

2008-01-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

Today we took 8th grade students currently studying our course "Blessed are the Peacemakers: Peacemaking in the 21st century" to the United Nations. This is always an exciting day for the students, as well as for us. Not only do we enjoy a delicious lunch at the endlessly elegant Delegates' Dining Room, but we also take an informative and exciting guided tour through the UN. This field trip comes right before the students present in class on the UN Millennium Development Goals and how these goals help create peace in the world.

The efforts of the UN are deeply inspiring, and show us the practical ways we can promote and foster cultures of peace. The below article (click on link) is one great example of how the UN is working to prevent conflict, and encourage understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect between West and Muslim countries. One hopes forgiveness is a part of this dialogue, as a most effective strategy for healing and resolving grievances and enmities which most certainly exist currently...

"Alliance of Civilizations forum to begin":
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2008/01/15/alliance_of_civilizations_forum_to_begin/

Submitted by C. Ritter

2007-12-13T14:54:00.000-08:00

"Peace will come when we love our children more than we hate our enemies"... I was thinking of this quotation today (paraphrased from Golda Meir), which in turn reminded me of Alexandra Asseily's brilliant presentation called "Breaking the Cycles of Violence in Lebanon - and Beyond." Alexandra Asseily is the visionary behind the Garden of Forgiveness in Beirut, Lebanon--our inspiration.

I want to share an excerpt here, and encourage all to read the entire paper, found at the following link. (http://www.ghfp.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=3v2fo5GiRd0%3D&tabid=36&mid=441)

Asseily writes:

"Jonas Salk, the famous polio vaccine biologist is often quoted as saying: “our greatest responsibility is be good ancestors.” Yes, but how? How do we become good ancestors and refrain from passing on trauma or negative beliefs to future generations? How do we stop being the prisoners and the puppets of the stinging memories of strife that we can still feel today as though we ourselves were present at that first event? How do we clean up what I call our “ancestral arteries” so that our children are free to act in the now, free from the blocks which echo from the past, and clog up our todays and our tomorrows? When working with the past, “the goal is to let our history inform us, not control us.” In order to break free from these inherited patterns and thereby end unhelpful or destructive cycles, we must undergo a process that falls broadly into three steps. Each step can occur sequentially or simultaneously. The process can apply to specific issues of conflict or to broader parts of our lives. The first step is to take responsibility for the active or passive role we play in propagating a conflict. The second involves creating a space for self-reflection so that we can become aware of nocuous behaviours and beliefs that reinforce that role. The third is to release the source of grievances we hold on to so that we can be free to replace old habits and thinking with new life-affirming ones thereby creating “positive cycles” around us and for our children. Releasing the source of grievance that would otherwise compel us to repeat and pass it on can only be done through a process of understanding and forgiveness. We cannot force nor be forced to undertake the process that leads us to understanding and forgiveness. We can become willing to do so; to allow ourselves to bring about this change in the perceptions that underpin our attitudes. I have observed through my work that it is when individuals choose to take these three steps that patterns which might otherwise seem immutable or pre-destined can be dissolved."

2007-12-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

The below article shows a nice use of gardening/planting imagery for cultivating a spirit of forgiveness and serenity. It reminds me of the beautiful "Grow Peace" pin on thehungersite.com (a peace-shaped flower, part of their "Cultivate Peace" campaign): https://shop.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?itemId=30892&siteId=220&sourceId=18&sourceClass=Category&index=1 All of this imagery converges nicely with our vision of what Gardens of Forgiveness will encourage and inspire in individuals and communities...

The Road to Wellness
Pathways to Serenity
BY ron esposito | Posted 10/03/2007

Serenity, like happiness, is a byproduct. Like planting a garden, we reap what we sow in consciousness. Plant watermelons, get watermelons.

It helps to know that we're part and parcel of the continuing process of creation and that the whole of the universe courses through our veins. As part of our cosmic inheritance, we have dominion over all conditions.

Outside circumstance need not dictate our inner state and experience of reality. It's all an inside job. There is a center within us all where peace abides in fullness and promotes mental tranquility beyond circumstance.

We progress toward the experience of serenity by harboring no resentment, jealousy or envy against anyone, knowing that to do so puts us in chains. Equanimity blossoms.

By practicing forgiveness we are forgiven. We free ourselves from the bondage of condemning others, and we are not condemned.

Practicing compassion helps pave the way to serenity. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

Compassion -- composed of wisdom, understanding and love -- lets us know that we are one in spirit and dissolves the fallacy of separation caused by clinging to ego identity.

When we cultivate tolerance and practice goodwill to all, the seeds of serenity are being planted. We don't seek to impose our ideas or opinions on others, nor do we necessarily accept theirs. We grow in listening by being present and attentive.

Gratitude helps fill the heart with loving kindness for all. One who is at peace with the world and one's own condition is free from anxiety and fear.

Worry and fear are poisonous phantoms. Trust, courage and faith are the antidote. When we experience the peace that surpasses understanding we know serenity in our consciousness.

Ponder these words by the Hindu sage Sri Chinmoy:

Doubt is the prose of the mind.

Faith is the poetry of the heart.

Aspiration is the song of the soul.

Realization is the dance of life.

It is my sincerest wish to see us dance.

(http://citybeat.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A141949)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RON ESPOSITO is a certified Life Coach, Enneagram Teacher/Trainer and 12-Step Recovery Facilitator at the Conscious Living Center in Mount Auburn. 513-621-3600. Email: Ron.Esposito(at)gmail.com

2007-12-06T09:37:00.000-08:00

Healing Hearts: Two Heart Surgeons Reconcile

Just over one week ago, a fascinating story of reconciliation between two heart surgeons was published (link to article below). Apparently, for 40 years Dr. Michael E. DeBakey and Dr. Denton A. Cooley were estranged over a perceived theft and betrayal. Now, however, they have come to some peace; Dr. Cooley asked in a recent interview, "Why carry on this so-called animosity into our graves?"

A very good question. But why even carry it for 40 years, and allow anger and bitterness to color that much of one's life?

Stories like this one remind us that forgiveness is an issue for all of us, whether our pain is on a small and personal scale, or a large, public scale. When we were working with our partners in Poughkeepsie, NY, to create the "Hudson Valley Path to Forgiveness," some asked us, "But why Poughkeepsie?" Our response: "Why not?" Our goal to have a Garden of Forgiveness in every community around the world, though certainly a lofty goal, is an acknowledgement that we have all been touched by pain in our lives, and that forgiveness can help each one of us find greater peace and healing.

A funny - yet sadly telling - story Dr. Fred Luskin recounts often is of speaking to an interviewer who asked him, "Why is forgiveness important?" Dr. Luskin asked the interviewer simply to go around his office and see how his co-workers felt about each other. The interviewer returned to the phone a few minutes later and exclaimed, "You're right! Everyone here hates each other!"

So whether your country has been devastated by civil war, or whether you have known betrayal and estrangement in the workplace, we hope a Garden of Forgiveness in your local community will be a constant reminder of the power of forgiveness to heal your past and create new possibilities for your future.

(submitted by C. Ritter)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/health/27docs.html?pagewanted=all

2007-11-30T07:15:00.000-08:00

Olmert Addresses the Annapolis Mideast Conference

If you haven't read Olmert's address from the Annapolis peace conference, do take the time (link to full transcript below); it is worth it. Though 'forgiveness' is not named, Olmert speaks to the importance of reconciliation in the peace process.

In the address, Olmert wisely acknowledges both the suffering of the Israelis and Palestinians. In doing so, he opens the door for more effective and honest dialogue and understanding, as well as genuine peace negotiations. Everyone needs their story, their history, to be acknowledged; if they don't get it from another, they might find satisfaction in acknowledging it to themselves, or feeling acknowledgement from God. Still, a public acknowledgement from a leader is vital when there has been the public suffering of many, if the many are to be reconciled. Regardless, in whatever way one's story is acknowledged, it proves a crucial step in the process of forgiveness.

In Dr. Luskin's nine step methodology, as detailed in Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness, the very first step is acknowledging what happened that hurt you and how it made you feel: "Know exactly how you feel about what happened, and be able to articulate what about the situation is not okay."

In his book Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel, Rowan Williams also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's history and story if one is to find forgiveness and healing. He speaks to both instances where one acted as victimizer, diminishing another - as well as times where one was victimized. Williams writes that "there is no healing of memory until the memory itself is exposed, and exposed as a wound, a loss." We find our identity and sense of self in our memory, our past, as well as our expectations for the future. Acknowledging our brokenness, as both victims and victimizers (for none of us is purely one or the other), is a huge step on the path to forgiveness. This is why "forgive and forget" is such a naive, even damaging, cliche.

The last step of Dr. Luskin's methodology is "amend[ing] your grievance story to remind yourself of the heroic choice to forgive." Williams' version of this step is in Christian terms: one does not stop at Good Friday, identifying one's own suffering with the suffering of Jesus, but rather sees in the Resurrection possibility for new life - being first forgiven by God, and then commissioned and empowered oneself to forgive others. Suffering is not the last word; there is always possibility for healing.

In his address, Olmert opens the door for forgiveness, healing, reconciliation and peace, by acknowledging the history of suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians - and then speaking to a future beyond "this age-old bloody conflict between us." It is time. Let us lift up our hearts in prayer, that peace will prevail in the Middle East and on Earth. And let us work for and live into that reality. We've got to.

(submitted by C. Ritter)

Full transcript of Olmert's address:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931654/posts

2007-10-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

In his thoughtful piece "The Far-ranging Power of Evil," The Very Reverend Robert Giannini emphasizes the vital importance of forgiveness in preventing old evils from lingering and festering. (Originally published in the Indianapolis Star.)

The Far-ranging Power of Evil

Robert Giannini

Evil is difficult to grasp. George Bush declared before Congress that he planned to rid the world of evil. Would that he could, but mankind has yet to devise some workable formula for its obliteration.

We have a reluctance to acknowledge evil. “First, we ignore evil when it doesn’t hit us in the face,” says British biblical scholar, N.T. Wright. “Second, we are surprised by evil when does. Third, we react in immature and dangerous ways as a result.” Furthermore, he argues, evil has an awful propensity to infect the minds of those who are fighting it. To eradicate a particular evil we must first establish “in our minds that we shall not allow this evil to determine the sort of people we shall then become.”

A particular evil may end, reparations may be made, but the power of that evil can still linger. The resentments and hurts that it engendered live long after the evil itself is gone and those resentments limit possibilities in the present, allowing the past to undermine attempts at a new kind of life together. The evil has determined, at least in part, the sorts of people we become. We have allowed it to act as if it had godlike qualities and thereby the effects of that evil become a subtle and murky part of our being.

Wright argues that forgiveness is the key to changing this. Unfortunately forgiveness is both misunderstood and is a very difficult piece of work. It is not a matter of simply overlooking evil, nor is it a matter of quiescence after some punishment has been completed. Rather, for forgiveness to occur evil must be identified and acknowledged straightforwardly. It must be “named and shamed” for “without that there is, after all, nothing to forgive.” It must be faced; but then, having been faced, its fangs must be removed. We must look hard, he says, at the fact that something very bad happened and then make “a conscious choice – a decision of the moral will – to set it aside so that it doesn’t become a barrier between us” and ruin possibilities for reconciliation. As the other is released from the burden of our pain and anger, so are we.

Forgiveness, for Wright, is a matter of granting more power to the future than to the past, even though the future may be seen only dimly. It is to live actively according to the principles of a world of justice and peace that we hope humanity can someday inhabit rather than dwell in a world that remains saturated with the dregs of old evils. It is to make the moral choice to live presently as if the hoped for future has already been inaugurated.

The book is Evil and the Justice of God (IVP Books; Downers Grove IL, 2006). The ideas in it are based on an explicitly Christian foundation but deserve a wider hearing because of their timeliness and their applicability to the current crises in our world.

2007-09-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

Gardens of Forgiveness in Illinois!

Congratulations to Reverend Rod Reinhart and the Harvey and Blue Island communities in Illinois on their Gardens of Forgiveness! We are thrilled to include these beautiful gardens in the Gardens of Forgiveness Network, a network of communities working for healing and peace through the power of forgiveness. You are helping us all to heal the past and create the future--one Garden of Forgiveness at a time!

Here is a terrific article published about the garden dedications:

Harvey church garden grows food, hope

(http://www.dailysouthtown.com/news/451854,025NWS1.article)

July 2, 2007

By Jim Hook, Staff writer

Tomatoes, greens, cucumbers and peppers rise from the fertile soil of a new community garden in Harvey. The vegetables grow alongside another tender cultivation -- hope.
Hope for residents to take ownership of their city.

"This garden has become a symbol of inspiration for people," said Rev. Rod Reinhart, pastor of St. Clement's Episcopal Church, 15245 S. Loomis Ave. "This garden gives people a message of love, order and respect for the entire community.

"They've stepped up to take ownership of the garden, and they've protected it from would-be vandals," Reinhart said. "They're proud of what they've done."

Inside the community garden, a smaller garden grows. But rather than offering vegetables and hope, this rosebush-filled garden offers forgiveness.

The Forgiveness Garden memorializes the Sept. 11 victims, those who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan and those residents of Harvey who have died violent deaths.
Reinhart started the gardens several years ago after receiving the land through the city's "Adopt a Lot" program. The parcel once included two homes, both of which caught fire and were later razed. Borne of the ashes, the gardens were raised.

The vegetables grown in the garden are given to the people who helped plant them. And they are given away to senior citizens who live in the local YMCA to supplement their diets.

Mary Lou Smith has been making the trek three days a week to help tend to the gardens.
Legally blind, she takes public transportation from her home in Riverdale.
"I've been doing this for years," she said. "When I worked, gardening was therapy for me. So now I continue with the therapy."

Smith said the gardens started out as raised boxes until the land on which the burned homes could be landscaped. "This is part of our ministry," she said. "We take care of a number of people. And that's a good feeling."

Reinhart said he has spent most of his career serving urban ministries. "I came from Detroit," Reinhart said. "I've served inner-city parishes nearly my entire adult life.
"This is what God has called for me to do," he said. "With His help, I'll continue doing it."

Jim Hook may be reached at jhook@dailysouthtown.com or (708) 633-5961.

(For more information, visit the link on our wiki:)

http://gardensofforgivenessnetwork.pbwiki.com/Harvey,+Illinois

2007-09-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

Rev. Harris speaks at 9/11 Healing Field event in Brooklyn

September 8, 2007

At a moving event at the Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, sponsored by the National Park Service and Trauma Response Assistance for Children (TRAC Team), Rev. Harris offered words of healing and hope in an address and invocation remembering the tragedy 9/11/01. The 3,000 American flags standing tall in the field served as a poignant tribute to the victims, a solemn reminder of the great number of lives lost that day. Waving quietly in the breeze, these flags were beautiful symbols of the vibrant men, women, and children who we will always remember with love.

Rev. Harris spoke to the tragedy of 9/11, while also reminding us to focus on the love and compassion that we can offer to those still mourning the loss of loved ones, as well as those suffering from the physical, mental, and emotional effects of the 9/11 attacks and recovery effort. Rev. Harris noted that this is the work of a true "healing field." We will always remember those who died, with sorrow for the loss of life; yet we can look with hope to the future we will create with hearts of mercy, kindness, generosity, and love.

2007-08-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

HUDSON VALLEY PATH to FORGIVENESS DEDICATED!

Poughkeepsie, NY - August 5, 2007

In a moving observance of the International Day of Forgiveness, the Hudson Valley Forgiveness Project and The Garden of Forgiveness jointly honored a hero and champion of forgiveness from the upstate New York area. J. Christoph Arnold, author of Why Forgive?, was the 2007 Champion of Forgiveness for his passionate and committed life work to spread internationally the message of conflict transformation, peacemaking, and healing through the power of forgiveness. The Maple Ridge Bruderhof Community of Ulster Park were the special recipients of the 2007 Heroes of Forgiveness recognition for both their work to promote forgiveness and for their forgiving example; they emphasize forgiveness and love as central to living and thriving in community, and they practice this every single day. The awards were presented by Paul Banner, co-chair of the Hudson Valley Forgiveness Project, and Dr. Fred Luskin, author of Forgive for Good and co-chair of The Garden of Forgiveness. Dr. Luskin also spoke more on his forgiveness method at this special event, having taught a workshop for the community the evening before.

The Path to Forgiveness at Locust Grove (on the Samuel Morse historic site in Poughkeepsie, NY) is the newest member of the Global Gardens of Forgiveness Network. Though unable to attend the grounbreaking in person, the Executive Director of The Garden of Forgiveness, Rev. Lyndon Harris, had this to say in a statement delivered at the event:

"I am truly excited about this first observance in New York State of the International Day of Forgiveness.

I am grateful to Dr. Luskin, Paul and Toni Banner, and the rest of the Hudson Valley Forgiveness Project for your very hard work of making this dream a reality. I salute you!

The International Day of Forgiveness was founded by Bob Plath in San Francisco over ten years ago. Since its inception, the International Day of Forgiveness has been growing in energy and scope. Particularly this day, I want to add my grateful thanks to all the voices here who celebrate and honor the vital work of J. Christoph Arnold and the compassionate outreach of the Maple Ridge Bruderhof community. Your work is brilliant! You are changing the world.

Today, as we toast your work, we join with many others around the globe who are partnering with the Worldwide Forgiveness Alliance created by Bob Plath.

And now a word about the Garden of Forgiveness and the Global Gardens of Forgiveness Network.

The Garden of Forgiveness movement began in Beirut, Lebanon under the visionary leadership of Alexandra Asseily--peacemaker, community organizer, and psychotherapist. Alexandra brilliantly points out that the antidote to violence and revenge is forgiveness. This message has become her life mission, as she works tirelessly for peace in the world. In her country, she witnessed a civil war that lasted for over 15 years and killed approximately 300,000 people. Due to Alexandra’s inspired leadership, both leaders of the opposing militias from the civil war are now working together with Alexandra in the global movement for peace, tolerance, and forgiveness education. Alexandra rightly states that every act of revenge is a time bomb thrown into the future. She concludes that we break the cycle of violence and revenge, and transform conflict, through the dramatic healing power of forgiveness.

In the green mile section of Beirut, where most of the fighting took place during the civil war, Alexandra has planted a garden. It’s a garden of hope. It’s a garden of healing. It’s a garden of mercy. It’s a garden of compassion. It is the world’s first Garden of Forgiveness.

In 2005, we had the privilege of taking family members of 9/11 victims to visit this Garden of Forgiveness and to plant the first tree—an olive tree for peace. As we did so, that day, we pledged our hearts and souls to creating a Garden of Forgiveness in New York City—and to creating a Global Gardens of Forgiveness Network, in which leaders of compassion all over the world are inspired and supported to come together and work for peace through the power of forgiveness. That remains our pledge; our sacred oath.

Today, we celebrate the dedication of this, the newest member in the Global Gardens of Forgiveness Network. Let us never forget, as Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “There is no future without forgiveness.”

May Peace Prevail on Earth.

Your truly,
Lyndon Harris"

A blessing was offered at the official groundbreaking which speaks to the intention of every Garden of Forgiveness :

May all who walk this path become one step closer to healing. May all who tread this earth plant seeds for peace. May all who stand in this space learn to forgive.

Let us bless this Path to Forgiveness and pledge to practice kindness, love, and forgiveness every day of our lives.

And May Peace Prevail on Earth.

2007-02-05T09:41:00.000-08:00

(Garrett speaks to FDA students)

"Breaking the Cycle" at the Frederick Douglass Academy
By the Reverend Lyndon F. Harris

On January 17th, 2007, members of The Garden of Forgiveness team were invited to attend a remarkable assembly on nonviolent conflict resolution and forgiveness, called “Breaking the Cycle.” The event was held at the Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem, NY. What an absolutely amazing experience we had! “Breaking the Cycle” is a program sponsored by the Bruderhof community and is based on Johann Christoph Arnold’s book, Why Forgive? The program is directed by a member of the Bruderhof community, Ian Winter. For half a day, we were privileged to hear and witness the wisdom of their speakers and the interaction of the students with their message.

Hashim Garrett, a native of Brooklyn who learned early on of the necessity of navigating gang-related violence, was shot six times when he was 15 years old. Suffering a spinal cord injury, Garrett was paralyzed from the waist down, but he never let this paralysis hold him back from living a life of courage and achievement. Now an inspiring motivational speaker and consultant, Garrett shared with the students the unfolding drama of his early life experience, and gave sage advice about the importance of knowing who your friends are and of being careful about escalating arguments. Garrett was adamant to point out that forgiveness is not weakness; it’s a way to reclaim your life and to create a positive, constructive future for yourself. The students listened with rapt attention to Garrett’s personal triumph over unimaginable pain—through the power of forgiveness.

J. Christoph Arnold, the author of 11 books including Why Forgive?, spoke eloquently from his heart about his decades of experience in counseling teens, prison inmates, veterans, families, and the sick—especially as it pertains to the need to forgive. Arnold shared with the students about such leaders as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Robert Kennedy, and Kim Phuc—each of whom has inspired countless others in his/her courageous commitment to non-violence and forgiveness. Arnold encouraged the students to make their lives truly count for something, to not let themselves be destroyed by the cancer of anger and bitterness, or violence. “It is time for new voices to rise, to have courage, and to inspire people like Martin Luther King did. It is your turn,” Arnold told the students.

The Frederick Douglass Academy was itself an astonishing discovery for us. The students were bright, articulate, respectful, and open to hearing the wisdom of their elders. We were excited to hear from the principal of the school, Dr. Gregory M. Hodge, that every student upon entering the Frederick Douglass Academy is asked to sign a contract that he or she will commit to going to college. As a result of this commitment, and the gifted guidance of the faculty and administration, every student last year (and years previous) has gone to college.

“Breaking the Cycle” is a marvelous program offered in the public school system by the Bruderhof community, with extraordinary results. They have been committed to this ministry for over 15 years, and they have demonstrated a loving commitment to guiding our young students toward positive, constructive futures.

For more information on these programs and institutions, please email Ian Winter, Director of “Breaking the Cycle,” at IWinter@BreakingTheCycle.us, and visit http://www.fda1.org/ to read about the wonderful work of the Frederick Douglass Academy, and http://www.hashimgarrett.com/ to learn about the work and leadership of Hashim Garrett.

2007-01-16T10:44:00.000-08:00

The Garden of Forgiveness honors the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. May we work together to build the Beloved Community of his dreams. “Forgiveness does not mean ignoring what has been done … It means…that the evil act no longer remains as a barrier to the relationship. Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning.” "Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." ---The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2007-01-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

One Hundred Million
By the Reverend Lyndon Harris

It’s quite a large number. That’s how many people died in the 20th century due to the ravages of war. One hundred million lives snuffed out. One hundred million souls crying out in agony. Families broken; communities devastated; precious human life treated as insignificant.

Theologian Walter Wink has pointed out that the only redemptive force we seem to believe in modern culture is the myth of redemptive violence. In other words, “you do something bad to me, I’ll do something worse to you.” It’s the language of the “ ‘hood.” It’s the creed of the streets. And, unfortunately, it seems to be the philosophy of the nations. The cycles of violence and revenge continue unabated from generation to generation to generation. When will it stop? We can put human beings on the moon, but we can’t seem to find a way to negotiate conflicting and competing claims without resorting to war and violence. Amazingly, we have mapped the human genome, but we can’t seem to put our finger on a way to quell the violence within our hearts. One hundred million lives. How many potential Nobel Peace Prize winners were killed long before they made their contribution? How many researchers who possibly might have found the breakthrough for a cure for cancer were slaughtered before they could pursue the research? How many artists capable of reframing our cultural experience were killed before they could pursue their dreams? Human life is precious; it’s not a commodity. One hundred million is a number, but it’s a number that represents individuals with names, personalities, families, life, and loves. When will it stop?

How do we break the cycle of violence and revenge? In his address to the Nation last night, President Bush, while calling for a surge of troops in Iraq, also acknowledged the centuries’ old conflict between Sunni and Shi’ite factions. But he doesn’t appear to grasp the profound nature that our participation is playing in perpetuating it. For example, for every Zarqawi we kill, hundreds will rise up to take his place. So, to return to my question: how do we stop the cycle of violence and revenge? Forgiveness. You may think I’m out of my mind, but please consider this. If the cycle is to stop, someone has to stop it. Someone has to consider the enormous weight and burden of the violence in the world, even violence perpetrated against the one who considers it. But the hero will be the one who takes full stock of the enormity of this burden and decides to make the world a better place by refusing to reciprocate violence for violence. As Gandhi said, “an eye for an eye leaves both eyes blind.” There’s too much blindness in the world.

But if one forgives, does that mean evildoers are let off the hook? Absolutely not. Evildoers should always be brought to justice. Prosecute them to the fullest. But do so in the name of justice, not of retribution or revenge. Does forgiveness require that we cannot defend ourselves? Absolutely not. But let whatever response we make to aggression be legitimately an act of defense, not an act of retaliation. Nowhere is this mistake more clearly seen than in the execution of Saddam Hussein. As I’ve said before, no one should feel sorry for Saddam Hussein-- he was an evil dictator. But the taunting and mockery he endured as he faced his death, once leaked, has made him a martyr in the eyes of many. The cycle continues. When will it stop?

One hundred million is a large number. Do we have to have any more?

2007-01-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

The Execution of Saddam Hussein: Justice? Revenge?

By the Rev. Lyndon Harris

Political commentators are swirling with ideas about the demise of Saddam Hussein, recently executed hastily by decree of the Iraqi court. Saddam was convicted of the murder of 148 Shiites, sentenced quickly, denied appeal, and put to death. There have been cries of outrage from many corners of the world, even from those who agree with Saddam’s culpability. Even if one supports the death penalty, one would have to agree that the process of Saddam’s execution was unfortunate. Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has described the circumstances of Saddam Hussein's execution as "deplorable". Prescott told BBC’s Radio 4, “I think the manner was quite deplorable really. Frankly, to get this kind of recorded messages coming out is totally unacceptable and I think whoever is involved and responsible for it should be ashamed of themselves." The taunting cries heard last on his ears before taking the fatal plunge are cries that now reverberate throughout the Iraqi Sunni population, as well as throughout the Arab world. The taunting captured on a cell phone camera has given to us a glimpse into this all-too-violent context, and unfortunately, has given energy to the attempt to turn this cruel dictator into a martyr. In his essay, “The Psychohistory of Vengeance,” David Lotto does a masterful job of chronicling our developing understanding of revenge and the way the revenge motif has been played out in the foundational narratives of human culture. (To read Lotto's essay, click here: http://gardensofforgivenessnetwork.pbwiki.com/f/ThePsychohistoryofVengeance.pdf)

Deserving no one’s pity, Saddam Hussein was an evil dictator responsible for too many atrocities and horrors committed against humanity. He deserved to face justice. However, how is justice to be meted out? Instead of receiving his sentence from a credible, dispassionate ---, Hussein met his fate at the hands of what the New York Times called a “Shiite lynch mob.” Now that the angry cries of this taunting mob have been widely disseminated through the media, the fires of fury and revenge have been magnified, thus continuing the seemingly endless saga of violence, revenge, and retribution. When will it stop?

What is the role of forgiveness here? Would forgiveness have required that Saddam walk? Absolutely not. But forgiveness does require that his sentence be meted out without inciting the desire and lust for revenge. What do you think?

2006-11-21T09:06:00.000-08:00

Long Island Garden of Forgiveness Dedicated!

American participants of the Crossing Borders program dedicating Forgiveness Garden

PLAINVIEW, N.Y., Nov. 19 – At the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center, the first institutionally sponsored Forgiveness Garden was dedicated in our country. The Reverend Lyndon Harris joined Rabbi Reevan Slavkin for the dedication of the “Holocaust Memorial Wall and Forgiveness Garden.” This garden is the culmination of an amazing partnership among many institutions: On the Same Page, an adult Jewish learning and outreach initiative of SAJES; Crossing Borders, a program that creates cultural dialogue and exchange opportunities between New York and Israeli teenagers; the Mid-Island Y JCC, who sponsors them and provided the space for the garden; and The Garden of Forgiveness organization, based in New York City. It was a groundbreaking event in which the topic of forgiveness was considered as a strategy for personal and communal wellness, and attendance included everyone from teenagers to adults, including Holocaust survivors.

An insightful and poignant speech was offered by 15 year old Joshua Tallis, one of the young men who participated in the Crossing Borders program. In his own words:

“I am a Jew. I was never in the Holocaust. And yet I am here today introducing a forgiveness garden. As a student, I learn to question, and there is plenty to ask. What is forgiveness? Who can forgive? Why should we forgive? Well, forgiveness is NOT accepting or agreeing with the atrocity. No person could ever forgive under those terms. Forgiveness, rather, is our ability to move on. I, as a fifteen year old, cannot grant the type of forgiveness to the Nazis that we are accustomed to. That is, granting immediate pardon to the offender. I can not speak for others or offer amnesty to Nazis for their individual offenses. Yet I can forgive in a sense by resisting the desire to do unto the oppressors as they did to us. Never forget does not mean never forgive, or never move on, it means to learn. As Jews we must learn to take lessons from tragedies. We must learn the importance of a single human life. The power to create or destroy lies within all of us. Our lesson is to create. We must forgive in order to resist genocide. Sudan, Rwanda, East Timor, Cambodia, Bosnia, Guatemala, Yugoslavia. This garden is to forgive but in forgiving we are saving. This garden was created out of history's most horrendous hours, and is our shining light to save the future’s innocence from persecution. This is represented in its very design. The left side of the painting, dark and ghastly is our past, and we aspire to move into a world of brightness and universal freedom. One by one, we plant single flowers to make the world more beautiful. In the same way, any act of kindness is needed to make our world better. Our action is forgiveness.”

Powerful, and well said!

Following Tallis’ presentation, other young adults from the Crossing Borders program shared in a Candle Lighting Dedication Ceremony that remembered and honored those that were killed in the Holocaust and planted seeds of hope for the future through the power of forgiveness. The ceremony culminated with a quotation was from Psalm 34: “Leave the bad and embrace the good, search for peace and pursue it.”

After prayers and comments of dedication, Rabbi Slavkin and Rev. Harris were the program speakers for the day, offering thoughts about the nature and possibilities, as well as the challenges, of forgiveness. Rev. Harris congratulated the participants present for creating this country’s first Forgiveness Garden! Then Rev. Harris challenged those present to offer their experience as a pilot program to other Y Jewish Community Centers around the country.

For their fall programming, On The Same Page, a project of SAJES, held a series of events exploring the possibilities and limits of forgiveness using Simon Wiesenthal's book The Sunflower as a resource and guide. For more information on this series, visit www.otsp.org. At the conclusion of the program, On the Same Page Project Coordinator Shariee Calderone expressed her gratitude to the following organizations for their partnership and support in sponsoring these events: Ruth Jeifa and the Mid-Island Y JCC, UJA Federation of New York, JCC Association, United Way of Long Island, J Learn, and BJE of Greater NY, Nassau/Queens Center.

2006-10-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

A Reflection by Jessica Stammen on "Alan Magee: Trauerarbeit"

Exhibition: November 1 - December 15
Opening: October 31 6-8pm
Goethe-Institut New York

From the Goethe Institut's website:

Alan Magee's series of monotype faces and its collective title, Trauerarbeit, were inspired, in part, by the conscious use of that word by the post war generation in Germany. "Trauerarbeit" translates as work of mourning and was reintroduced in Germany by the psychologists Alexander and Margarete Mitcherlich in their book, The Inability to Mourn, 1967.

The Mitcherlichs believed that young Germans needed a conscious period of acknowledgment and mourning in order to heal the enormous, unarticulated burden of the Nazi years and the war.

Magee's ongoing series of monotype faces began in the months before the January 1990 bombing of Iraq, and seem now to have been a personal act of Trauerarbeit shaped by his own culture and experience.

For the past year I have served as Alan's studio assistant and have had time to approach and contemplate these faces. There is something about the honest, vulnerable and humble confrontation of these testimonies and where they originate from that resonates deeply with the process of forgiveness. The work of mourning is a deep work of forgiveness, I think. It is mourning for what was lost or broken - coming to terms with it, facing up to it - that creates the space and place for redemption, for re-creativity, for future. John Beck writes:

This series of faces achieves a fantastic realism (Dostoevsky’s term), with images not anywhere to be seen on the street, yet truer than “objective” truth. Mute and undefended, damaged yet somehow humanly irreducible, they are anonymous but more than personal; transcendent; shameful to look at, and redeeming.

Please join us at the opening of "Alan Magee: Trauerarbeit" on Tuesday, October 31st from 6-8pm at the Goethe-Institut New York, located across the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1014 Fifth Avenue. The exhibition will run from November 1 - December 15 and admission is free.

To find out more about the exhibition visit:
http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/ney/en1698924.htm

To find out more about Alan Magee visit: www.alanmagee.com

2006-09-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Dr. Luskin’s research featured in UN study, and other resources

By the Rev. Lyndon Harris

The American Psychological Association compiled a document entitled “Forgiveness: A Sampling of Research Results” which was offered at the 59th Annual DPI/NGO conference at the UN for the workshop “Forgiveness: Partnering with the Enemy.” The workshop provided the impetus for pulling together this study, and it is a significant contribution to the current dialogue on the possibility and promise of forgiveness. Considering especially the challenges of responding to incidents of mass violence such as Rwanda, Northern Ireland, New York City after 9/11, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this resource gives us a helpful guide to the cutting edge of forgiveness research. (Read the study at: http://www.gofnyc.org/articles/forgivenessbrochureend.pdf)

Dr. Luskin, a pioneer in forgiveness research and co-chair of our Garden of Forgiveness initiative, developed a methodology of forgiveness based on nine steps. These are published in his marvelous book entitled Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness (you may purchase Dr. Luskin's book at http://www.amazon.com/Forgive-Good-Frederic-Luskin/dp/006251721X/sr=8-1/qid=1159288387/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-1423756-2591315?ie=UTF8&s=books).

The nine steps are:

1. Know exactly how you feel about what happened, and be able to articulate what about the situation is not okay. Then tell a couple of trusted people about your experience.
2. Make a commitment to yourself to do what you have to do to feel better. Forgiveness is for you and not for anyone else. No one else even has to know about your decision.
3. Understand you goal. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean reconciling with the person who upset you or condoning their action. What you are after is peace. Forgiveness can be defined as the peace and understanding that come from blaming less that which has hurt you, taking the experience less personally, and changing your grievance story.
4. Get the right perspective on what is happening. Recognize that your primary distress is coming from the hurt feelings, thoughts, and physical upset you are suffering now, not what offended you or hurt you two minutes—or ten years—ago.
5. At the moment you feel upset, practice the Positive Emotion Refocusing Technique (PERT) to soothe your body’s flight-or-fight response.
6. Give up expecting things from other people, or life, that they do not choose to give you. Recognize the unenforceable rules you have for your health or how you or other people must behave. Remind yourself that you can hope for health, love, friendship, and prosperity and work hard to get them. However, you will suffer if you demand that these things occur when you do not have the power to make them happen.
7. Put your energy into looking for another way to get your positive goals met than through the experience that has hurt you. In other words, find your positive intention. Instead of mentally replaying your hurt, seek out new ways to get what you want.
8. Remember that a life well lived is your best revenge. Instead of focusing on your wounded feelings, and thereby giving the person who hurt you power over you, learn to look for the love, beauty, and kindness around you.
9. Amend your grievance story to remind yourself of the heroic choice to forgive.

2006-09-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

(Rev. Harris dedicating 9/11 Victims' Memorial Quilt)

Courage to Forgive
9/11/2006

“Stick close to the families” was the sage advice of Sergeant Lawrence Provost to me as we were both discussing our grief over the 9/11 experience. In the past few days, I had meaningful opportunities to do just that.

On Saturday, I had the great privilege of being on hand for the momentous occasion of the 9/11 Victims’ Memorial Quilt debut. In fact, I was most honored to be asked to dedicate this quilt. This stunning quilt is part of a series of quilts honoring the victims from the FDNY, New York State Courts, NYPD, Port Authority Police and staff, Flight 93, Flight 77 and the Pentagon, and the FDNY Emergency Medical Services. These quilts are the result of five years of work from America’s 9/11 Memorial Quilts, a group founded by Jeannie Ammermann (http://www.911memorialquilts.com/). The 9/11 Victims’ Memorial Quilt, in my opinion, will become a cornerstone for memorializing the tragic events of 9/11. But while the faces on this quilt strike a note that is deeply sorrowful due to our loss, at the same time the quilt is a vehicle of resiliency and hope for the future.

Today, on the fifth anniversary, I had the great privilege of attending the Families’ Luncheon, organized by Voices for September 11th following the memorial service at the World Trade Center site, where I was asked to give an invocation. I was deeply impressed by the work of Voices for September 11th and their leader, Mary Fetchet, whose son Brad was killed on 9/11 (http://www.voicesofsept11.org). As I sat at a table with members of the 9/11 family community, I was held in awe by their kind dispositions and compassionate hearts. I was also very impressed, in the few conversations I had about this, that people were willing to talk about the possibility of forgiveness. At the beginning of this luncheon, there is a very moving candle lighting service in which candles were lit to invoke several of the virtues. I was deeply moved when the third candle was lit and a prayer was offered for courage—the courage to forgive, and the courage to embrace the future.

Sergeant Provost’s advice was sound. Spending time with these extraordinary individuals, on this most painful day, turned out to be an opportunity for mutual healing.

2006-09-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

Reflections on the Eve of the Fifth Anniversary of 9/11/06
The Reverend Lyndon Harris, 9/10/06

Tomorrow we observe the fifth anniversary of September 11th, one of the most pivotal turning points in our country’s history, and we find ourselves in a precarious place. Rescue workers who gave so much during the rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero are now beginning to be diagnosed with “Ground Zero-related disease,” presenting a crisis in healthcare. Families and supporters are still fighting for the proper burial of the remains of their loved ones. We are just beginning to scratch the surface in understanding the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Five years after the attacks there is no building or memorial on the WTC site, and our country is at war. So much has changed in such a short amount of time.

How do we best remember and memorialize the tragedy that happened five years ago? How do we best honor those who died, both those in the attacks and those attempting to rescue them? How do we best care for the wounded 9/11 community, itself not a monolithic block of people who share the same experiences, but a matrix of communities experiencing varying degrees of loss, grief, and suffering?

These are huge questions and I don’t presume to have all of the answers.

9/11 happened and had a dramatic impact, not only on Washington DC, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and New York City, but also our whole country. Regardless of where you were on 9/11 you had your own Ground Zero. Leaders of faith communities all over the world, even in the darkest night, are compelled to hold out a ray of light. But how do we do this? Especially a tragedy on this scale?

9/11 was a horrific tragedy. The definition of a tragedy is something that can’t be fixed. A bell cannot be unrung. A musical note cannot be unplayed. And it is impossible for us to undo 9/11. But while a tragedy is something that cannot be fixed, we believe that tragedies can be healed. Advancing this healing is our calling as a Garden of Forgiveness.

Ten years from now it will be another great tragedy if the anniversary of 9/11 becomes yet another opportunity to purchase a car or a new washing machine or to catch a longer weekend at the beach. We owe it to those who died and to the continuing wounded 9/11 community to become leaders in the transformative healing that is so necessary at this time. We need to make sure that the heroes who need healthcare and medicine for their emergent Ground Zero-related illnesses have them. We need to make sure that proper care and attention is devoted to creating memorials all over this country that honor the dead and inspire the living. As leaders in our respective communities, we need to help our communities cope with this public tragedy. The Hospice Foundation of America published an extraordinary collection of essays entitled Living with Grief: Coping with Public Tragedy is helpful in this endeavor. This collection illuminates the role that ritual and memorials can play in helping us grieve our losses and embrace the future. We must help our communities cope with the national public tragedy that was 9/11, striking a note that is at once deeply sorrowful about our loss but also, at the same time, hopeful for a brighter future.

There are rare, singular moments in history when communities become unfrozen, and new possibilities emerge; the period following 9/11 was just such a moment. During that time, we witnessed a huge outpouring of love and goodwill from all over the world. And we discovered so much about ourselves as a people. We discovered that we could be more than we ever dreamed we could be: more generous, more loving, more compassionate, more giving, more courageous. The greatest tribute we can give to the loved ones we lost is to carry this experience into the future—that their death and their loss will inspire us to be more loving and not vengeful. In their honor, let us begin now, during this fifth anniversary year, to create a future that goes beyond repaying violence for violence and embraces hope, compassion, generosity, and love.