Advice from Ginny Fox, Director

People often write for more information about doing Peace Flags with their class, group or organization, and I send them this advice about fabrics, markers, paint, etc. I also send along a speech that outlines some of the Peace Flag Project focus on peace. — GF

 

In terms of practical advice, I can tell you that I buy all of my fabric at Joanne’s Fabrics, and I especially like the Keepsake Calico fabrics. I try to choose fabrics that have a muted pattern to them so that it gives the flag a texture but does not interfere with the writing or images. I always buy lots when they are on sale. I also use lighter shades most of the time.

Usually, I have markers for people to work with; I’ve found Sharpies to be the best. The Staples store carries these larger packs of Sharpies in a great array of colors. Staples stores also give teacher discounts, which you may already know.

I’ve also collected many stencils, which a lot of people like. Depending on the circumstances, you can also use fabric paint, but it’s more difficult logistically. Also paint requires drying time, which further complicates things. I don’t usually recommend using paints because (1) they’re more expensive and (2) the drying part is hard to manage. But the results are also more striking and beautiful.

In terms of talking with adults and children, I’d suggest you discuss what each of them can do to make the world more peaceful. That focus is actually the focus of my interest in peace. If you read the Mission Statement on the website, you’ll see that I call our mission “The Space in Between.” That space is the space between a focus on inner peace (a personal journey) and world peace (overwhelming for individuals). It’s the space where we live with each other every day, and it’s where I think individual behavior can make a difference. It has to do with how we treat one another — our families, neighbors, colleagues, friends, etc. We can each make all of those interactions more peaceful by how we behave. We can all be peacemakers.
As my work with the Peace Flag Project has broadened and deepened over the last few years, I’ve come to feel that the flags work in many ways. Creating them is an individual experience, which provides the opportunity for each person to connect with something important, some wish or hope or prayer. Hanging the flags keeps that inspiration before us and shares it with the rest of the world. Together these flags reflect our collective yearning for a just, kind and loving world. Fluttering in everyday places, they connect us with the best in ourselves and each other. If peace is our gift to one another, and I believe it is, these flags are one way to share that gift. I am so pleased to be sharing this project with your classes.

I’m also attaching a short speech/article I’ve written. Perhaps it will be helpful to you in talking with your class. Click here to see speech.

Please feel free to contact the Peace Flag Project with any additional questions (info@thepeaceflagproject.org). I’d also love to know how things go, and please send pictures if you can. We’re going to start adding to our website events that people are doing all over the country.

In peace and gratitude, Ginny

 

3 comments

  1. Debra Johnson says:

    Hi Ginny! I was wondering if I can see and print your article on Peace.
    I am dedicating a PEACE Pole soon at our elementary school in VA..
    I thought maybe we can make your flags of Peace also. It sure would be nice to hang them in front of our school the day of the dedication.
    Love and Peace, Debra

    • ginnyfox says:

      Debra,

      Thanks for your inquiry. I’m sorry for the delay in responding. We’re still working out some kinks with the website. Below is the article you requested. Please let me know if you have additional questions.

      In peace, Ginny

      “Peace is our gift to each other.” Elie Wiesel

      “Peace is not something you wish for; it’s something you make,
      something you do, something you are,
      and something you give away.”
      – Robert Fulghum

      My work with the Peace Flag Project is to promote peace in the world, and my main interest is in creating peace in our every day lives – peace in our own lives and in the lives of those we touch.

      The Peace Flag Project is inspired by the tradition of Tibetan Prayer Flags, which for centuries have displayed prayers for peace, harmony and compassion. The Buddhists of Tibet believe that their lovely prayers for peace, compassion and kindness are carried on the wind around the world. With our project, children and adults create flags reflecting their own wishes, hopes, dreams and prayers. People use words and images to reflect the deep-felt wishes of their hearts.

      Often the flags express thoughts that people rarely say out loud, or even let themselves think about. Creating flags puts us in touch with wonderful things we want for ourselves, our families, and the local and world community. These are not selfish wishes. And something important happens when you connect to the best parts of yourself, as happens when people create their own flags. I’ve come to realize that my work is to connect hearts and imaginations to the real world. As Einstein said:

      “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

      As I’ve worked with so many people to create flags, I’ve come to feel that the flags work in many ways. Creating them is an individual experience, which provides the opportunity for each person to connect with something important, some wish or hope or prayer. Hanging the flags keeps that inspiration before us and shares it with the rest of the world. Together these flags reflect our collective yearning for a just, kind and loving world. Seeing the flags every day connects us with the best in ourselves and each other. If peace is our gift to one another, and I believe it is, these flags are one way to share that gift.
      Throughout the year, we work with thousands of children and adults in Rhode Island and surrounding areas to create Peace Flags. Our main event is a celebration of the UN International Day of Peace, which is observed annually on September 21. This year will be the seventh year we will be honoring this special day, a day mandated by the United Nations to be a day for all people to talk about peace– not world leaders, diplomats, scholars – but ordinary people We try to create an event that is about peace and provides the experience of peace as well
      .
      I believe that each effort for peace helps in a small way to make this a more peaceful world. History tells many stories of enormous changes that began as small ideas or actions. Everything big begins as something small. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela – they all began with small gestures in the right direction. In addition to these important world leaders, ordinary people contribute to peace and kindness every day. Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate says:

      “It’s the little things citizens do. That will make all the difference.”

      Historian Howard Zinn writes about small, but wonderful acts of kindness that happen all the time, gestures that define our humanity and point to a more peaceful future:

      “If we remember those times and places – and there are so many – where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”

      Let us be good citizens and help our world. Let’s take all the small steps we need to take to create a world of peace. We can work together to give this gift of peace to one another. Peace is in our hands.

      Ginny Fox
      Director
      The Peace Flag Project

      • ginnyfox says:

        Dear Debra,
        I’m sorry to be so long in replying to your email. We’re still working out some kinks in our website. Below is my article/speech. I hope it is helpful. Please let me know if you have additional questions.
        In peace, Ginny

        “Peace is not something you wish for; it’s something you make,
        something you do, something you are,
        and something you give away.”
        – Robert Fulghum

        My work with the Peace Flag Project is to promote peace in the world, and my main interest is in creating peace in our every day lives – peace in our own lives and in the lives of those we touch.

        The Peace Flag Project is inspired by the tradition of Tibetan Prayer Flags, which for centuries have displayed prayers for peace, harmony and compassion. The Buddhists of Tibet believe that their lovely prayers for peace, compassion and kindness are carried on the wind around the world. With our project, children and adults create flags reflecting their own wishes, hopes, dreams and prayers. People use words and images to reflect the deep-felt wishes of their hearts.

        Often the flags express thoughts that people rarely say out loud, or even let themselves think about. Creating flags puts us in touch with wonderful things we want for ourselves, our families, and the local and world community. These are not selfish wishes. And something important happens when you connect to the best parts of yourself, as happens when people create their own flags. I’ve come to realize that my work is to connect hearts and imaginations to the real world. As Einstein said:

        “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

        As I’ve worked with so many people to create flags, I’ve come to feel that the flags work in many ways. Creating them is an individual experience, which provides the opportunity for each person to connect with something important, some wish or hope or prayer. Hanging the flags keeps that inspiration before us and shares it with the rest of the world. Together these flags reflect our collective yearning for a just, kind and loving world. Seeing the flags every day connects us with the best in ourselves and each other. If peace is our gift to one another, and I believe it is, these flags are one way to share that gift.
        Throughout the year, we work with thousands of children and adults in Rhode Island and surrounding areas to create Peace Flags. Our main event is a celebration of the UN International Day of Peace, which is observed annually on September 21. This year will be the seventh year we will be honoring this special day, a day mandated by the United Nations to be a day for all people to talk about peace– not world leaders, diplomats, scholars – but ordinary people We try to create an event that is about peace and provides the experience of peace as well
        .
        I believe that each effort for peace helps in a small way to make this a more peaceful world. History tells many stories of enormous changes that began as small ideas or actions. Everything big begins as something small. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela – they all began with small gestures in the right direction. In addition to these important world leaders, ordinary people contribute to peace and kindness every day. Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate says:

        “It’s the little things citizens do. That will make all the difference.”

        Historian Howard Zinn writes about small, but wonderful acts of kindness that happen all the time, gestures that define our humanity and point to a more peaceful future:

        “If we remember those times and places – and there are so many – where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”

        Let us be good citizens and help our world. Let’s take all the small steps we need to take to create a world of peace. We can work together to give this gift of peace to one another. Peace is in our hands.

        Ginny Fox
        Director
        The Peace Flag Project

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