President's Corner: Beauty of Parents

Dear friends,

Greetings of love in these times of great challenges!

A few weeks ago, I was invited to share a congratulatory message at the Filial Piety Art Contest for children and young people, put on by the Chinese People's Federation for World Peace. The theme of this contest was "The Most Beautiful Memories with My Parents." 

As I reflected on this topic and jotted down some of my own experiences with my parents and grandparents, I once again realized how precious these memories are and have been for me, and how much I had gained from my elders' wisdom and learned from their life stories. These have helped me weather all kinds of storms and challenges in my life. 

Moreover, when I read the latest Logic of Love News article by our close friend Cheryl Landon, where she shared about how her father Michael sat by her side, day and night, when she was in a coma, I was not only moved, but realized the centrality of our relationship with our parents and of parents with our children. There is no deeper bond in the universe than that between a parent and a child. When that relationship is not only intact but filled with trust and a sense of belonging, I would say that any obstacle or challenge can be overcome.

By extension, when our earthly father and mother might be lacking, we can always turn to our eternal spiritual Parent, our Creator and God, for guidance, encouragement, love, and understanding. Hearing each month from our HerStory awardees, we get living proof that when they faced impossible challenges in life, their faith and their connection with God gave them the strength to persevere and to overcome.

Unfortunately, these "vertical" relationships have been severed for so many for too long, and therefore too many of our families, and especially too many of the younger generation, are experiencing inner emptiness, loneliness, hopelessness, and confusion, which tend to reinforce selfishness rather than caring for others. 

I hope that the work of our Women's Federation for World Peace, motivated by the motherly heart, and the stories in this particular issue of the Logic of Love News can assist us to rekindle or strengthen our love for our own parents, and to inspire unconditional love for our children, as for all those who suffer and are in need at this time!

There is nothing more powerful and reassuring than a loving and caring parental heart and embrace!

Sincerely,

Angelika