Every year on September 21st we celebrate International Day of Peace. It was founded by the United Nations “to provide an opportunity for all humanity to come together, in spirit and in action, to forward the ideals of and conditions for peace”.

I first learned about this day when my daughter was attending a quirky little Quaker school in the woods of Connecticut. I loved participating in the simple and heartfelt ceremonies designed to better connect us with each other and the world around us. One year the gathering was larger than usual with many guests present at the school’s new campus on the site of a former summer theater and its surrounding 18 gorgeous acres. As I stood in silence holding hands with a circle full of school children, fellow parents and neighbors, I was filled with inspiration. Sharing this beautiful campus and the ideals of this wonderful school with the wider community gave me hope for the future.

Seven years have passed since that gathering. The quirky little school is now closed and the beautiful property sits in limbo (but that’s a whole other story for another day). Every day I see things that upset me and make me doubt the goodness of humanity. I do not always feel as optimistic about things as I did back then.

But I must move forward.

I am grateful that my favorite radio station (90.7 WFUV) paused this year to commemorate this aspirational day with a set of songs about peace. I often find my solace in music.

Peace out.

“And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes

So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.

‘Cause each time I feel it slippin’ away, just makes me wanna cry.
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding?“

Elvis Costello (by way of Nick Lowe)