by Justin Scribner
President of Communications
peacenzeal@hotmail.com

It is a beautiful today, and whatever day you might stumble upon this article! I know that you are all in the most perfect space right now in your lives, just as I am. Recently, I have had immense surges of creativity and ever since winter began, I have been using the night air as my muse. Just walking down the streets in my cold, cold city I feel so aware and alive. I can hear everything and see everything and life feels so clear on those walks. Just the other day, I wrote a poem while outside in a park.

as school winds down to finals, i find time to finally sit down. enjoying the cold, craving flavored hot chocolate. drinking coffee if i have to, and i have to - it's really cold. dancing my life into class where i run and sleep and learn and fly and leap and soar and play and LIVE! i wear layers to protect from the wind as i walk, when i get to class - peel off those layers of ignorance. the cold is a blessing. wind speeds through my layers, air shifting my insides. through the changing smells i sense a beautiful year approaching. i'm in my prime here for some reason. i am totally aware right now, willing to jump off the cliffs of rigidness and unknowing, land with a thud in the lap of comfort and security.

i live alone with two scarves, empty water bottles, new shoes, pictures on my wall - music sliding under my toes, surging my brain and making me dance on my oriental rug and linoleum tiles. (wish i had someone to take pictures of the figures i create) some get to the point where being alone isn't enough i rejoice in my singularity and my best friend - myself. i am now choreographing tomorrow's plans... darting around to eat and draw and call and communicate, thinking about everything all at once. but sometimes the only thing i ever think about is - that i need a kitchen.

Finding time to be still and creative and imaginative always rockets me into peacefulness. If any of you ever find that perfect expressing-time, please tell me about it - I would love to celebrate your expression with you!

peaceful air
and cold revelations,
Justin

Beautiful People,

I come to you with hope and faith. Sometimes life can seem really big, and I become overwhelmed by the poverty, pollution, and hatred that is in our world. Many people become cynical, for they choose to believe that this is wrong. But I remind you that right now everything is exactly as it should be! There is perfection in this situation if only to remind us of the potential of our world.

January 30th - April 4th is the Season for Nonviolence. I humbly ask each of you to join me in prayer throughout the season. Pray for love to extend over all boundaries. Pray for the illumination of spirits and hearts. Pray for peace to prevail on earth. And live your prayers! Do as Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

I have faith that in seven generations they will find this world to be a luscious and peaceful place to live, because we have created that for them. All of you know your power and beauty so I don't have to remind you, but I will anyways - you are all powerful and beautiful!

Tashi Delek,
Sarita

by Noah Hopkins
President of Service
souvenir82@yahoo.com

Comrades,

What a beautiful time that we are living in! I look around and this is all I see! It's winter now and I find myself in a traditional state of reflection. My fall semester of school wrapped up well and the intentions of Christmas have been in my mind.

We are completely abundant and prosperous in our thoughts and in our souls. The most common place that we identify lack is outside of ourselves. Sure, it would be great if I could manifest that 17-inch monitor, tape deck, and new car that I want. But, do I really need those to be happy? No. Often times I mistakenly interchange convenience with happiness. Yes, those things might make my life more convenient, but I can choose to find happiness in possessing anything. Ideally, complete happiness is sought through the realization that we are abundant entering this world. The material world can often create the illusion of lack. When we look past this illusion we find the happiness and content of life. Instead of thinking "Why can't I have everything I want?" think instead "Why am I not happy with everything I already have? We are surrounded with an infinite source of abundance and well being. Feel this in your breath and in your heart.

Love and light,
Noah

by Monique Sloley
International Peace by Piece Liason
misjam@hotmail.com

Hey Everybody,

How's your Spirit within, your Christ Mind and Love? I know it's great and mine is too. Life for me is great anywhere because I dwell in the Spirit. This is where I get my strength and joy.

Being at the Mahindra United World College of India, I interact, daily, with students from over 70 different countries. Now that I know all these wonderful individuals, the world feels much smaller and other places don't seem so distant anymore. I could feel at home anywhere in the world.

I know that I am here by Divine appointment. All that has happened this year is Divine Order. This feeling of closeness to the World started through the Peace by Piece Programme when I was at Conference. Just thinking about the Love that was there makes me overwhelmed. Now, about the Year 2000, it will be a great year for us all, just as our past years have been. All we have to do is let our Christ Light shine into this wonderful world.

For now, though, I'm wishing you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays. I'm always here and I hope to here from you.

Love and Peace from the Spirit within,
Monique

by Pat Anderson-Williams
International Y.O.U. Coordinator
you@unity.org

Reflections from Pat!

As I embrace All that Is and settle into this awesome opportunity to serve Y.O.U. I recognize how powerful change is. We often don't understand this special gift God has given us. We sometimes struggle and resist change. However, when you open your heart to change it brings splendid rewards. My first reward for saying yes to Y.O.U. and yes to each of you is this awesome team of International Youth of Unity Officers.

Play with me here... I can just imagine Spirit contemplating who should be the International Officers. Play with me here… I would say Spirit must have run into a challenge, based on the awesome group of candidates, because there was so much good to choose from. But, Ah! God in his infinite wisdom said I think I know just the right mix and so Spirit placed the decision on the hearts of each who voted and look what came forth… my "Dream Team", and your leaders for 2000.

This awesome team is working with such dedication on your behalf, giving from the very depths of themselves, with their time, talents and devotion. They want only the best for Y.O.U. Allow me to encourage you to continue supporting this team from your HEART, with your thoughts and prayers.

I also would encourage you to accept change and allow your soul to walk through the process - the ultimate will always be good, may not always look like it, but trust me Spirit is always on the case, doing a "perfect work".

Dear Friends,

Our world is home to so many beautiful beliefs and ideas! Today I am sharing with you some of my favorite prayers and passages from different religions. And though they speak different words, they all speak the same Truth. If we are to attain peace in our lovely and fragile world, let us learn to not only accept others beliefs, cultures, and ethnicities, but embrace them.

Agape,
Sarita

All men will come to him who keeps to the one, For there lies rest and happiness and peace. Passerby may stop for music and good food, But a description of the Tso' Seems without substance or flavor. It cannot be seen, it cannot be heard, And yet it cannot be exhausted. - Tao Te Ching   Oh my God! Oh my God! Unite the hearts of thy servants and reveal to them thy great purpose. May they follow they commandments and abide in thy law. Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them the to serve thee. O God! Leave them not to themselves, but guide their footsteps by the light of thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by thy Love. Thou art their helper and their Lord. - Baha'i Faith

O God, Ever since I have had the championship of the good, the distinction between mine and thine has disappeared. I deem no one as enemy or stranger. I am on friendly terms with everyone. From the good I have learnt to consider as good whatever comes from God. Nanak takes delight in finding delight in finding that one God resides in all. - Gandhi   Dear God, May my heart become my only perciever and my eyes be full of light. May angels wings be lent to me, that I may fly above the noise and turmoil of the world. With every moment's flight may something beautiful be revealed to me, and become a part of who I am. Amen - Marianne Williamson