CREATING PEACE THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS

Discussing peaceful relationships

Have you ever had difficulty in your relationships with family, friends, co-workers, bosses, or acquaintances? Of course, you have. In fact, we all have.

On Saturday, March 28, Mrs. Maria Rodriguez introduced the vision, mission, and history of Women's Federation for World Peace in a short PowerPoint presentation. She then shared from her heart with the twelve participants who came to the presentation, about "Creating Peace through Relationships." She explained that the first step in any relationship is to become self-aware. When a difference arises, try to become aware of your own thoughts, feelings, needs, and ego.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What is it I really want at this moment?

• Is what I want coming from my heart or my ego?

• Will getting what I want help our relationship or hurt it?

• Will getting what I want strengthen our relationship or weaken it?

• If I keep insisting, what will that do to the peace of our relationship?

Maria continued by giving participants some guidelines for building better relationships; such as, listening with your ears and your heart, not criticizing your partner or friend in public, building trust into your relationship, cultivating an attitude of gratitude and being ready to forgive.

The participants interacted with Maria and with each other through lively questions and discussion. The meeting ended with a light lunch, relaxed sharing, and each person received of a "goodie bag," to take home to remember the day.