A Piece of My Mind: Peace

Friday, November 4, 2011

Dona Nobis Pacem / 5 on Friday - Set 91

Let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic

This year's Blogblast For Peace is dedicated to the late Jack Layton, the newly-elected leader of the opposition here in Canada who passed away after scoring a nation-changing victory in the spring.

On the day of his passing, his family released a Letter to the Nation from Jack.

In his closing words, Jack has left us all a legacy that resonated deeply with millions of people.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world."

He was known as a scrappy political opponent in earlier days, but in his statesman years Jack had perfected the art of reaching compromise between radically opposed parties. He knew how to listen past the rhetoric, and had the iron will to insist on taking action that included practical solutions, not just lip service.

Jack is the ideal embodiment of the Blogblast For Peace movement. He sought dialogue and action together.

Here's my Blogblast For Peace 5 on Friday set - and here's to you, Jack.

1 - Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) - George Harrison

Love

2 - Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World - Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole

Hope

3 - Rise Up - The Parachute Club

Optimism

This was performed at Jack's state funeral, held at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto.

4 - (What's So Funny 'Bout)Peace, Love and Understanding - Elvis Costello

5 - Into the Mystic - Van Morrison

This was also performed at the funeral.

Peace to all from Julia @ A Piece of My Mind.