Recently, two groups of students from PHS received two days of training in” Power of Peace” activities. Below are the rections and thoughts of two of the students who went through the experience. Also, a dinner for all students who have participated in the Power of Peace is planned for May 12th at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains. For more information, please see Ms. Garabedien.
Power of Peace was a program that taught us how to use positive and empathetic methods for dealing with other people and life . People shared their stories and talked about how life was for them. The program showed us that even though all human beings are different, we are all somehow connected to each other. It also taught us how to express our feelings, no matter how extreme, through nonvolence.I found the work shop to be an empowering experience and I recommend it to anyone who is willing to try to make the world a better place.
Destiny Mosley
Powers of Peace- there are no words to describe how amazing this program is.It left me speechless and excited to see what else Mike and his helpers had planned for us. Whenever I was in the presence of my Power of Peace classmates and leaders, I felt so at ease. Everything around me was so calm and I was able to open up to complete strangers that I barely knew. (This is something I would have never done before.) It gave me the opportunity to communicate with people I never ever dreamed about speaking with.
My experience at Power of Peace was mind changing; it changed my whole view on life and how I viewed those around me in my surroundings. Before I went to Power of Peace, I had extremely low self esteem. I have had it for awhile, and I would try so many things to cope with that particular situation I was dealing with. For example, I wasn’t too happy with the way I looked, so I would starve myself because I wasn’t happy with my outer appearance. I learned to accept things, and I could always work on my body instead of starving myself. During one activity at Power of Peace, we had to write down things we liked/disliked about ourselves, and as I was writing down several things, I felt myself release those burdens that hindered me from being a happier person. Another situation I faced deep within myself was, opening myself up to others, I would keep my feelings and emotions buried deep in because in my prior years, people I’d use to be close with took advantage of me because I always trusted the wrong people with my personal business and feelings. At Power of Peace, I was able to open myself and it felt so good because now I know longer feel that I was in this situation alone anymore. There were people that I could talk with about my past, my present, and my successful future, which made me feel really good about myself. Power of Peace not only changed me as a person, it also changed my perspective on the outer world. For example, I never knew I had so much pride andfeeling of nationalism for my country. I now want to join the army after I finish college. Another goal I would like to accomplish in my adult years, is to become a police officer for the NYPD. I want to give back to my country which most people wouldn’t do. So many people take, take, take, but they never give back. I’m determined to make these dreams my reality, and that’s something that keeps me motivated, and inspires me to never give up no matter how hard things are.
In conclusion, Power of Peace was a really good experience that I wouldn’t change for anything, and I’m really looking forward to joining session two of Power of Peace. I also feel everyone should be able to experience how wonderful and powerful it is, it might actually change people in a positive way and you’ll learn new things about yourself that you never thought you would know about yourself.
Sincerely,
Christina Greenhill
Check out the experiences shared by last year’s Power of Peace participants here.