In the current climate of the war in Iran, No Kings protests and economic uncertainty, I am uplifted by the Westside Unitarian Congregation’s installation and dedication of an international Peace Pole on March 29, at their location, 1650 Abrazo Drive NE, here in Rio Rancho. This is the only Peace Pole in Rio Rancho, as listed on the virtual global Peace Pole map (https://www.peacepoleproject.org/plantpeacepolemap/). It joins approximately 250,000 other Peace Poles in over 180 countries. Peace Poles are an internationally recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of unity among people of all backgrounds and cultures. They serve as a silent prayer for peace, a way of bringing people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness the world over.
Peace Poles began in Japan at the end of World War II as a reaction to the violence, destruction and loss of life. Peace Poles have the phrase, “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” in four different languages, one on each side of the pole. The Unitarian Universalist congregation chose English, Spanish and Navajo to represent the cultures here in New Mexico. The fourth language is American sign language, a nod to their principle of the inherent worth and dignity of every person…