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Today’s Question by Aart Hilal

As a UN messenger of peace, how do you react to the news of violence from different parts of the world?

Recently, I was invited by the Unesco, to write a text about the radicalization of youths (here).

I recognize in this text the feeling of powerlessness that grips me when I start to think about the current problems of the world, specially the bleak future that lies ahead for many children across the globe. I think though that one has to be alert and see that all the problems we face have a common root: our selfishness, our fears. To me, it seems that the only possible escape out of this cycle of violence is to act in our individual scale. In my case for instance: to write is my best possible weapon against the indifference, against the violence.

31 Responses to “Today’s Question by Aart Hilal”


  • Peace is not in their minds. [Sorry for the interuption]
    Love,
    Thelma

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  • …And imagine the party we will make,
    dear Wanbliska and Annie[from Greece] and Paul from Austria and Lia[from Greece] and everybody here,
    when we well eventually meet with Paulo Coelho..
    Love,
    Thelma[Greek from Cyprus!]

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  • You are so right.We cannot stay and wait only for the others.We must act ,and after maybe other should follow the good example.I see people many times are copying the behaviour of their favourite person,let it be singer,actor ,or writer.So.is very good if one person like you gives to the others such good examples.I appreciate so much your work for poor children.Love

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  • …and we with you dear Wanbliska… your friends hear & love what you have to say…

    Love, Paul

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  • You know it doesn’t make much sense
    There ought to be a law against
    Anyone who takes offense
    At a day in your celebration
    ‘Cause we all know in our minds
    That there ought to be a time
    That we can set aside
    To show just how much we love you
    And I’m sure you will agree
    It couldn’t fit more perfectly
    Than to have a world party on the day you came to be

    Chorus
    Happy birthday to you
    Happy birthday to you
    Happy birthday

    I just never understood
    How a man who died for good
    Could not have a day that would
    Be set aside for his recognition
    Because it should never be
    Just because some cannot see
    The dream as clear as he
    That they should make it become an illusion
    And we all know everything
    That he stood for time will bring
    For in peace our hearts will sing
    Thanks to Martin Luther King

    Chorus
    Happy birthday to you
    Happy birthday to you
    Happy birthday

    Bridge
    Why has there never been a holiday
    Where peace is celebrated
    all throughout the world

    The time is overdue
    For people like me and you
    You know the way to truth
    Is love and unity to all God’s children
    It should be a great event
    And the whole day should be spent
    In full remembrance
    Of those who lived and died for the oneness of
    all people
    So let us all begin
    We know that love can win
    Let it out don’t hold it in
    Sing it loud as you can

    Chorus
    Happy birthday to you
    Happy birthday to you
    Happy birthday

    Happy birthday Ooh yeah
    Happy birthday,
    To you

    We know the key to unity of all
    People
    Is in the dream that you had so
    Long ago
    That lives in all of the hearts
    Of people
    That believe in unity
    We’ll make the dream become
    A reality
    I know we will
    Because our hearts tell us so

    Stevie Wonder Happy Birthday Lyrics

    I was hidden into the cake, disguised in pink rabbit, but oh! They sent me to jean-michel Jarre’s place. Despite big ears, I’m nearly deaf..! Though after hearing voices, that’s maybe better.
    Anyway, I’m happy to be here with you all.

    LOVE

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  • Dear Paulo,
    I wish you continue fighting against the indifference that exists in the world nowadays.I would also like to wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY,health and happiness!!I hope you get everything you want and keep on inspiring us because we love it!!
    Greetings from Greece..
    Love,
    Lia

    [Reply]

  • Dearest Paulo,

    Yes, as Annie says, we all want to celebrate your birthday. I’m wishing you the happiest of birthdays!

    Remember, right now you are old enough and young enough to do whatever you would like *wink* *wink*

    Love,
    Marit

    God Bless XXXOO

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  • Happy Birthday dear Paulo, and may all your wishes come true!!!

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  • Yes, dear Wanbliska..i believe you are right..Fear keeps us away from Loving…

    My dear Thelma, that was so beautiful that you wrote from Bach..i ll get a copy of it ;)
    My dear Pirate, i think you are true too..Courage is the only way ..taking risks..and not be afraid to live..

    And one more thing, since our friend Paulo Coelho has his birthday today, then we all celebrate today….because he is our friend..and we are so so lucky and grateful for that..

    Love and Graditude
    Annie

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  • Thank you Wanbliska and Annie for sharing your beautiful ‘inner’ self.
    Thank you Paul from Austria, the Pirate, but - since, as you have mentioned you are in …Aviation - then you are a Pilot too..
    ‘And meeting again,
    after moments or
    lifetimes, is certain for
    those who are
    friends. [Illusions, Richard Bach]
    I think we will meet ‘our’ Paulo Coelho in this life.
    Once again :Happy Birthday!
    LOVE,
    Thelma

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  • Dear Paulo, (this time I write in English)

    I started helping myself, inside me, working in my own behavior, attitudes and thoughts. I starting “repairing” all what was needed, and I´ve tried to transform sadness, ego, etc into a smile, peace, love, light, compassion, happiness and balance. Also, getting my main values in life stronger, applying then in my daily life all my positive qualities and achievements.

    I help in this issue discovering myself, discovering the wonder of love and light inside me, as the being of love I am, connecting my Heart with the Whole, opening my “inner eyes”, and the help happens in words or in silence with my own example with all what surrounds me.

    Once I opened my heart .. a sunrise appeared , so the help then to violence and unbalance of this world created by us, the human beings…

    Beautiful your question Paulo

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  • Love… ly words dear Annie,

    Why? … because we are all human & we are all to a certain degree… afraid…

    Love & the courage to love, Paul

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  • Happy Birthday Paulo

    love
    Agnieszka

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  • Dear Annie,

    Why?
    Fear

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  • Dear Paul,

    Lol

    Love

    [Reply]

  • Dear Wanbliska, your text could have been written by Jeanne d’Arc… of whom you are possibly a reincarnation… ? smile

    Love, Paul

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  • Dear Paulo,

    I wish you health & strength but never contentment, for I know this would be poison for your soul… more than anything else I wish that all the love that you give to so many, returns to you in abundance, for you are truly a rare and wonderful human being.

    Fly free and happy beyond birthdays and across forever, and we’ll meet now and then when we wish, in the midst of the one celebration that never can end. (Richard Bach)

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR PAULO FOR TOMORROW & MANY CELEBRATIONS TO COME

    Your faithful WOL, Paul from Austria

    PS:
    (thank you dear Thelma for reminding of Richard Bach, one of the authors - along with Saint Exupery, Gibran, Hesse, Frost, who have given me so much spiritual nourishment, prior to the arrival of our dear Paulo) By the way I’m still Pirate.. not Pilot Paul ;)

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  • If……..

    Why do we hide, all the things that, we are ashamed of
    Why don’t we say, all the things, we want to say
    Why don’t we do all the things, we want to do
    Why can’t we be, ourselves and stop pretending?

    Things would be so much better
    Life would be so much better
    This world would be so much better
    If we spread love with our breath..

    Why do we complicate ,things when they, can be so simple?
    Why do we lie, to eachother, and we ‘re not sincere?
    Why do we keep it, all inside,and don’t show what we feel?
    Why can’t be true,to ourselves, and be who we want to be?

    We would be so much happier
    We would be so relieved
    We ‘d believe we can do anything
    If we were the child beneath

    Why have we forgot, how it is to love, and be loved?
    Why have we stopped believing and we feel so lost?
    Why don’t we recall how happy seems a child to be?
    Feels and sees the world differently

    We could be so inspired
    We would know how it feels to love
    We could make this life worth living
    If we spread love breathing..

    Why do we want more and don’t appreciate what we ve got?
    Why are we ignorant of what’s happening to the world?
    Why do we chose to spend our lifes in making money?
    Why do we let our life pass us by?

    We could be forgiving
    We would know how it is to live
    We could make this world a better place to live
    If we spread love when we breathe..

    Why do we remain silent to all this madness and violence ?
    Why can’t we accept who we are and just be ourselves?
    Why would we change our lives for someone else’s
    Why don’t we try to be what we always dreamt?

    We could be our passions
    We could be our hopes our beliefs
    We could be our futures, our dreams
    We could be anything we wish to be

    Spreading Love when we breathe..

    Love and Graditude
    Annie

    [Reply]

  • Maybe no one has the truth, and when it happens, it could “grip”, indeed.
    We spent a lot of hours, our eyes turned to the light, asking how we could help around, or more, find a solution for injustices to stop, right?
    We crossed many paths, heart turned to the darkness because in the meantime, we never dare to give a hand, really close to us.
    But truth, as life is not so easy as people could think. Make a child grow is always dependant from how the society is built. And today, many creations involved against how we could elevate our child’s spirit.
    Society is a matter that could lead you to not recognize your own children. Just because it is a new world in your self education. ( “besides” would be the best word to use).
    So parents have now to deal with iron, while our grandfathers use to fill it with nature, and seasons evolution, no?
    That’s why wars are everywhere, and not only at the bottom of a gun. As some wars are incentive, pernicious to invisibility.
    Wars are walking in each sides of the planet, using different matters with only one manner: stray parents and children from the soul, where everything is taught naturally to build a precious life, and reach the heart of God.

    Or, we just have to tell with our voice, how we’d like this to change, and as some say here, writing it, sending it to the Universe for our hearty cause to come true.
    For I do now. I could just think about the way I learnt to pray. It was not about prayers that began with “God, please do this or that”, nor “one day…”, but affirmations, left?
    Truth does not exist because it always has to come, and we don’t know the future. Let’s think our words will reach that state, never forgetting it’s just about an idea, before it comes to another one.

    God may separate himself for we could experience life
    And It nevers stopped to mother, even when I’m saying that now
    We thought It created darkness to fill it with monsters, devils, bloody murderers and other bad things, just because we lost the key to Its door.
    So here is my prayer about war, as peace does not exist either:

    There’s no need for gun
    Neither the heart is a shield
    Neither the heart needs to hide
    But there’s no need for a gun, for people want to live in harmony
    There’s no gun anymore
    Guns are dead
    Guns are not existing anymore
    I can hear children are laughing
    Walking down the streets
    Jumping in the sea
    Climbing mountains to sun
    Can’t you hear?
    You call me Utopia
    I call you old song

    Listen to the sounds they make
    They are listening to an old tale
    Taling them the story of Kings and Queens
    That were living in magical castles
    Making love with each others within Tree of Life
    Their children were to come for dancing through caressing orders
    Only one gesture cut them off

    But there is no crime anymore
    No starvation anymore
    For you God teach me that lightful story
    I could hear from ancient winds

    Now, great men of the word are about to meet
    Yes God you tell it
    I could hear you give us that choice
    Great men of the world are about to speak with each other
    Could they meet by the sea
    By the road, mountains, cities, or in a bright office

    Yes God you are telling me
    I could hear You
    They are about to think further
    They are about to go beyond the words
    They are about to act differently
    Because you are telling it now
    Freedom men of the world are on their way to laugh and cry nearer
    Together
    Because they meet those who are not on their way to read my prayer
    They still say that a child need a gun

    There’s no need for a gun
    The gun is burried now
    This is what I am saying now
    But it is that some men does not want to tell my prayer
    Lindos Hombres are on the edge to stand up to meet those who does not want to shelve war

    Even if some say it is time to wait for the bright city
    In a thought, God will come back to give us a land of promises
    whereas we made nothing to deserve it
    Wise men are not about to wait for it
    Because they are such they know the city will come from our own heart
    And they definitely could not abandon the children to that fate
    Even if it’s time for them to leave Earth and reach God at the end of their life
    They could not leave subtarreans in a tragedic supper suffering
    Or they will have to go back
    As their heart could not lay in harmony while it is happening

    Today they are standing up
    I could hear their heart’s beat and their bones waiting it for so long
    They are about to join, ringing to the nowadays Kings and queens
    to bury the weapon
    To stop the march of war
    So far from the Arch
    And my heart

    Thank You

    [Reply]

  • http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GEmvEeDiwQU

    Love to all the children, love to all of you and love and Happy Birthday [tonight the 24th of August],to ‘our’ Paulo Coelho.
    My best wishes for continuing your Path towards the Light.
    Love,
    Thelma

    p.s. Welcome back, our dearest friend, Paul from Austria, the Pilot!? Have you read the book by Richard Bach, ‘Illusions’?
    T.

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  • It appears that I have been given the opportunity to repeat myself once more… The world of tomorrow is dependent entirely upon the way we treat the Children of Today…! If we all, and I mean every single one of us, offer the children of today, love, subtle guidance, and yet more love… it will shape this world into a wonderful loving place… Away with personal egos, away with selfishness, away with child abuse…

    Love & guidance to all our children, Paul

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  • Our world is a very scary place these days. It can be overwhelming when we think about all the evil and we can feel so powerless and depressed thinking that there is nothing we can do to help the world. But sometimes we see great river of evil but we do not see this little stream that is coming from our heart. When for example I criticize others I am actually contributing to the great river of evil. My main task should be to first of all cut off this little stream that I am creating. The world will never change if I am not going to do that. The change must begin right here - in my own heart. Only then I can have a hope that one day I will live in a pure world, free from suffering and pain.

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  • The only real solution is to work in our own backyard gardens. In other words, if each person were to take the time to try to care for those surrounding them, the world would not be a place of grief and turmoil. I cannot change the world, but together we all can.

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  • Sibila Maria India

    Dear Paulo,

    My heartfelt thanks for putting your talents in the service of love and being an inspiration on a global scale. When people´s live´s are rooted in love they stand and are a living fountain of how we also can live in this world. It´s of no use to beat darkness with a stick, fighting violence is keeping the fighting going.
    Turning on the light dispels darkness. Thank you for standing for light and awareness for so many.
    The channel is blessed by what flows through it.

    with my respect,
    I wish you wonders and blessings.

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  • I think the best thing we can do is like Paulo said is use our best weapon -being his pen is his sword ,helping children or just demonstrating and being love in the world makes all the difference .Blessings Tania

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  • Thank you Paulo! We have to use every moments of our life to learn to live in Peace and to teach our children to live in Peace. If we want the Peace, we have to be Peaceful

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  • Innerst inne i mitt hjärta känns det skönt att arbetet i UNESCO sköts av någon så engagerad som du är, Paulo. Du är sannerligen en hjälte!! Världen är grym mot barnen som i nuläget, vilket du beskriver får lida så mycket av bland annat krig, fattigdom och sjukdom. Det barnen behöver är hopp, undervisning, medicin och bra mat. Barnen är det mest värdefulla vi har och därför måste vi vuxna visa, att de verkligen är det mest värdefulla…Varje liten individ måste få veta att de kan bli något och uppnå något i livet. Eftersom jag är lärare och har undervisat barn från tuffa sociala områden vet jag hur mycket man kan göra genom att bara handleda, lyssna och ge kärlek. Barnens självförtroende kan växa och således kan även deras hopp om en bättre värld förverkligas!

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  • May the Queen of Peace support your important work with the UN to promote peace for everybody worldwide.

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  • Peace is not in their minds. [Sorry for the interuption]
    Love,
    Thelma

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  • My dearest Paulo Coelho, the text you wrote for Unesco have brought tears to my eyes.
    Being a mother and sensing the needs of a baby, a child, has in every stage of his life, I fear that all those children need Love. We, people, forget that to have children is a present from God. Egoism comes first and nodoby has time to understand that children are the citizens of tomorrow. The first thing that a baby learns is ..smile! How many adults, in todays society know how to smile? Smile, for a start, shaking hands and then communication. The wars are not decided by the people. The decisions are made from those that they do not fight or they do not send their children to fight. They make wars in the name of Peace, but

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  • you are right. Actually organizations cant help people in modern world(as far as i think). Everyone has to think as responsible individual.Organizations actually never helped people, they just like one medicine that cure one disease to create another by side effect.
    Today we may be students, but learn, because we will be teachers tommorow.
    i heard that when one man thinking goes up, it influence 100 around

    to all my friends.

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