In less than a month, Bloggers for Peace has grown into a movement of almost 100 bloggers. I’ve already been moved to tears a number of times by the powerful posts for peace. At this rate, we will have corporate sponsorship in no time, so we better be prepared.
To help inspire the Bloggers for Peace (B4Peace), we will have a Monthly Peace Challenge. To participate, tag your post with B4Peace or leave a link to it in the comments below. Anyone who completes all twelve Monthly Peace Challenges will receive a Free B4Peace T-shirt.
February is Superbowl month. (For those of you who don’t know about the Superbowl, it is a once-a-year advertising opportunity to reach a huge demographic of American consumers. I think there is a sporting event associated with it as well.) Television advertising spots during the Superbowl cost like a million dollars a second. Next year, we will have a spot in the Superbowl.
This month we are asking you to be Don Draper and construct an advertisement for peace. If you make videos, make a television commercial. When I was a kid, two television commercials changed my life. The first was this Coke commercial.
This commercial showed me what a multicultural world looked like before I’d ever heard the word multicultural. In essence, Coke showed us Martin Luther King’s dream complete with a music soundtrack.
The other commercial that changed my life was the Keep America Beautiful commercial below.
Because of this crying Native American, I have refrained from littering my entire life. Imagine if we could make a commercial that would inspire children to strive for peace for the rest of their lives.
You can also create a simple advertisement, like a slogan for peace. In December 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono launched an international multimedia ad campaign using the slogan “WAR IS OVER If You Want It.” I’d be lucky to be bum fluff on John or Yoko’s derriere, but recent ideas around the power of intention argue that the subconscious does not recognize negatives. So “no war” or “stop war” manifests war. Let’s create a slogan that manifests peace.
If you are a poet or a musician, remember that John Lennon’s “Imagine” was based on poems by Yoko Ono. We challenge you to write a poem or a song that can become the “Imagine” for our generation.
If you are a photographer or artist, how about a piece that we can post on billboards that will promote peace? You can include titling or just let the image stand on its own.
If you are a writer, you could write a short story or screenplay for a short film that can be made and broadcast for peace. Imagine that you have an unlimited budget. Who would you cast? What would be the soundtrack? How about Obi Wan and Darth Vader laying down their lightsabers and hugging while stormtroopers toss daisies on the Death Star?
Most importantly, have fun. Act as if we could afford to hang peace posters around the world. Wait a minute. We can. It is called the internet. A slogan that goes viral is more powerful than any print ad. Imagine Gangnam Style for Peace. “You may say I’m a dreamer,” but we’ve got a direct line into the bedrooms of millions of sleeping activist waiting to be inspired.
TWO CHANCES TO WIN!
To jump start our peace advertising, we are starting in the closet–the water-closet. Cheri from Cherispeak made a great advertisement that is meant to be posted in public restrooms. You can copy this graphic and put 4-6 per printed page, print, cut and carry with you in your purse, pocket, or wallet. Add a little piece of removable adhesive putty and post away.
For every blogger who posts ten of these flyers in a public restrooms, Rarasaur, Kozo, Maddy from 1EarthUnited and at least one other B4Peace blogger will read and comment on your next 5 posts. Just email 10 pictures of the flyer in public bathrooms to cherispeakblog@yahoo.com. Extra points if you stick your flyer next to some juicy graffiti.
Thank you to everyone who has posted, read, thought about, shared, and/or smiled for peace this year.
Related articles
- We Can Make a Difference – Right Here, Right Now (everydaygurus.com)
- PEACE is Possible (strawberryindigo.wordpress.com)
- Monthly Peace Challenge: Acts of Kindness (bodhisattvaintraining.wordpress.com)
- An Artist For Peace (spiritualmysticism.wordpress.com)
- Song of the Week (123oclock4oclockrock.wordpress.com)
- Coca-Cola–I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke (thisisnotadvertising.wordpress.com)
- Open Hearts Everywhere (heartflow2013.wordpress.com)
- Vulture (bluemoonnortheast.blogspot.com)
everyday gurus 
Printing ’em out now, Kozo! 😉
Those were two commercials that I, too, vividly remember as a child. I quite often found myself crying sometime during the second one.
Will have to see if I can’t come up with something for the challenge this month.
Have a GREAT one!
Excellent Dawna!!! I cannot wait to SEE this 🙂 You rock lady love!
I will definitely share! Thank you, and thank YOU for image! 😀
You are very welcome! I will be creating opportunities as often as i can and passing them on for all of our use 🙂
Yeah, Dawna, it is amazing how that one image of the crying man stuck with me. Whenever I see trash on the side of the road, I think about that Native American. Wouldn’t it be great if we could create something as powerful for peace? {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Count me in as a reader/poster for the Bathroom Flyer contest. I cannot wait to see the pics. I will post the pics on the Bloggers for peace website. In fact anyone that does something visual that can provide me images, I will add to the site. cherispeakblog@yahoo.com 🙂
Hooray, Cheri. Thanks for taking care of the other blog and the Facebook. B4Peace would be a lot smaller without you. I can’t wait to see the restroom pics. 🙂 {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
You’re welcome. I may need some help managing it once I begin working full-time again.
Yay, does that mean you got the job?
Not yet…
Kozo, again I am struck by our similarities for two people from totally different places. Both of the commercials you mentioned I felt the same way about. My best friend, who I have known since kindergarten, always uses the crying native american to justify his vigilance toward environmental protection. We did some project in fourth or fifth grade he seemed to be affected by. Anyway I love this idea and I will think of something.
This is a great movement and there is no doubt that you are making a difference. War is over my friend. Thank you for the article and the effort! I would like to teach the world to sing, but first I must learn myself! Love that song still, so nostalgic.
Haha, Jonathan. I think the crying Native American has more affect on me than the Coke commercial because I too cannot sing. If I taught the world to sing, there probably would be war. haha.
I’m so glad we are vibrating on the same frequency, Jonathan. I look forward to harmonizing with you, not vocally of course. 🙂
{{{Hugs}}} kozo
Wow, Kozo! Thanks for posting those two videos – I never saw them as I grew up outside of the USA. Amazing! And thank you for the energy you are putting into this campaign – it IS making a difference!
Together in Peace ~
Tomas
Thanks, Tomas. I got the idea for the advertising for peace when I saw the John Lennon video on your blog. That is why I pinged back to that older post.
The seventies were an amazing time. Definitely a rise in consciousness during that period. Let’s bring that rise in consciousness back.
{{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Make it so, Number One! 🙂
with Hugz ~ Tomas
So excited about this!! So inspired and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this beautiful idea. thanks Kozo!
Yay, Jessica. Did you take your blog off wordpress? I was wondering why I have not been seeing you in my reader. Make sure you link to some B4Peace posts if you are not on wordpress, so we know when you are posting. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
This sounds like a great challenge! Also, I’m having a bit of trouble making the peace banner a live link and signing up on the site as a blogger – can you help and perhaps put my name on the list on your site as a member of Bloggers for Peace? 🙂
Kartika,
For some reason I did not have you on the list. I am fixing that now. Here are instructions for the badge.
Here are the instructions to put he badge on your sidebar. Sorry, they are a bit complicated.
First, right click on the badge on my site and “save image as…” on your computer.
Next, you need to upload it as an image in your media file as if you were going to put it in a post. I see that you have images on your site, so it is the same process. Go to Dashboard>Media>add new. Upload image from your computer to wordpress–it is probably in your downloads folder.
Then add the “image” widget to your sidebar–dashboard>appearance>widgets>drag image widget to sidebar.
Then you go back to the media and click on edit next to the badge. You will get a “file URL” on the right.
Copy and paste that in your image widget where it says “image URL.”
On the image widget there is also a space for a link url. You can paste this in there: b4peace.org
Can’t wait to see your next post.
{{{Hugs]}} Kozo
Bum fluff? Kozo, you make me smile. 🙂
Bum fluff is such a great word and image, isn’t it merbear? There is something peaceful about being bum fluff on a great person’s rear. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
It is, I like it very much. I wouldn’t have minded being some on John Lennon’s rear either. {Hugs}
On the B4Peace facebook page I have re-posted all the Peace Posts of those who have been participating over there. Come join us: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bloggers-for-Peace/117938398372885 ALSO if you are own Twitter Tweet using #B4Peace and re=tweet other peace posts if you will? It may also be helpful to add the following as a “realted article” in your posts here on WordPress so that others reading your piece can easily find more info on what we are doing 🙂 Thanks!!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bloggers-for-Peace/117938398372885
FYI I have also gone and re=tweeted the posts on Twitter that are using the #B4Peace … interestingly I found someone who is using our tag for their own promotion of themselves as a book reviewer and see nothing in the pages regarding our organization or efforts see> http://www.athenabrady.co.uk/athena-bradys-book-reviews-january-2013 Kozo, maybe you should contact her?
Athena Brady actually is part of bloggers for peace, but she has two sites. I think she might have linked to the wrong site. I’ll tweet her. Thanks for looking out, Cheri.
Ok great. I thought the name was familiar, but we need to be sure no one is arbitrarily using the hashtag for unrelated posts.
On FaceBook we no longer have the loooong url extension, it is now simply http://www.facebook.com/BloggersForPeace so very easy to verbally pass on to others and find in search engines 🙂
Wow, how did you do that? That is great, Cheri.
Um…I’m a brilliant miracle worker? hahahaha :p
Here’s mine! http://transformationalbeing.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=147&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
Love it all! Go Team Peace!!! We are sweeping the world with love and peaceful happy feelings. Here’s to group hugs. Love you Kozo 🙂 Cheers, Gina
Love you, Gina. How about “GO PEACE GO.” Kids would love that. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
[…] month’s peace challenge courtesy of Kozo at Everyday Gurus is to construct an advertisement for peace – a video, slogan, billboard poster, song, poem, […]
Hi Kozo, a lovely post for this month’s peace challenge. We don’t have the superbowl but premier league soccer gets the advertisers in quite a frenzy. I’d love to see all our B4Peace banners, slogans, videos and billboards at those games so here’s a little poster to get them started http://wp.me/p2MIsj-zI 🙂 Lets keep the world beautiful. Love and hugs, Tracy
Yay, Tracy. You put this up in Wembley stadium. I’ll put up others at the Superbowl. 🙂
to a compassionate earth! {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Brilliant, Kozo! Having lived in Australia all my life I’ve never seen these advertisements before. You are doing a fantastic job raising peace awareness (who knows – maybe the Nobel Peace Prize will be coming your way!) We could look into developing a “Kozo Peace Prize” 😀
I love the bum fluff comment! You made me giggle a lot with that one 😉
I support the idea of a “Kozo Peace Prize”
Might have to make a “Kozo Peace Prize” that I give out to the most influential blogger for peace. I will work on the million dollar stipend. haha
My friend from Australia used to say bum fluff, so I thought you and Annie would get a kick out of that one.
{{{Hugs}}} Kozo
We certainly did! 😉
Ohh the Coca Cola commercial, I watched a few years ago I can’t remember how I found it, really nice indeed. I’ve seen the Bloggers for Peace on many other blogs I follow, I really like the initiative.
Feel free to join, Leo. You can even rant about people who mess up peace. Plus the badge will look cool next to your “freshly pressed, we are not” badge. haha.
I remember the Coke commercial!
I wonder if part of the reason you are a spiritual world traveler today has something to do with that commercial, Zully?
Wow. Maybe!
all of these Related articles have now been posted on our b4peace facebook
We Can Make a Difference – Right Here, Right Now (everydaygurus.com)
PEACE is Possible (strawberryindigo.wordpress.com)
Monthly Peace Challenge: Acts of Kindness (bodhisattvaintraining.wordpress.com)
An Artist For Peace (spiritualmysticism.wordpress.com)
Song of the Week (123oclock4oclockrock.wordpress.com)
Coca-Cola–I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke (thisisnotadvertising.wordpress.com)
Open Hearts Everywhere (heartflow2013.wordpress.com)
Vulture (bluemoonnortheast.blogspot.com)
Thank you so much, Cheri. You are tireless in your passion for peace. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Oh I’m tied 😉 but ya gotta just keep pushing on :p
Way to go Kozo! I love your enthusiasm, humor, creative spirit is kickin’. Thx for the commercials, I’ve never seen those before, imagine a real message behind the advertising! Blogging 4 Peace will have the same impact because it makes a difference in people’s lives all over the world. It’s has universal appeal and the time has come again for unity. Let’s see: Jedi Kozo’s B4Peace movement vs. the NRA, military industrial complex, NWO. It’s a no contest folks, the dark side’s going down! 😀
They can’t win, Maddy. Even if they strike me down, we shall become more powerful than they can possibly imagine. But I don’t want to fight for peace. I want to {{{Hug}}} for peace. {{{Hugs}}} to you, my superstar BBF.
Wow, {{{Hugs}}} for peace, now that’s progress! With my upcoming fashion gig, I’ll run a few ideas by the fashion director. Came across this blog which featured body-art models doing a show for ‘Bullet 4 Peace’ to end gun violence. I would totally do this for sure, what do you think?
http://insurance-adusgede.blogspot.com/2010/10/bullet-4-peace-who-is-next-what-is-next.html
The last shot hits the mark, dig that B4P logo? Big {{{Hugs}}} to you chief!
Love the B4Peace logo. Would be great if we could put our logo somewhere. Thank you for offering up you body for peace, Maddy. You are a warrior. Have a great time next week. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Congrats on all the recent success that guys are having! I’m running into more and more people with the sidebar badges, lately.
Right on Kozo. I was affected by both those commercials as well. I’m so happy the blogging for peace is turning out to be such a success! But then why wouldn’t it be? I’ll see what I can do in the ad department….I’ll be coming out soon with next month’s installment on my other blog soon…PEACE is the word, my friend!
Yay, Strawberryindigo. A two blog punch for peace. I agree with you: why wouldn’t we blog for peace? It just seems like a no-brainer. Thanks for being part of the team. {{{Hugs]}} Kozo
[…] Monthly Peace Challenge: Mad Men (everydaygurus.com) […]
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That is so cool, Kozo! So many great ideas!
I’m putting my mind to it now and will come up with something creative!
Also, as i wrote you in my mail, i’ll gladly join and visit/comment the blogs of those who will complete the paper challenge! 😉
I’m so happy to hear that B4Peace ad might be on Superbowl next year! Wow! I so hope for that, best of luck!!
We’ll be talking 🙂
Hi Kozo, I have featured you in my weekly giving something back post. These posts honour all those great blogs out there. Please pop by and take a look at http://athenabrady.co.uk As you know I am also a member of this group.
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Hey, Kozo! It’s all about marketing and more marketing…as big as companies like McDonald’s & Walmart, you never see them stop in the marketing area. Good idea is what I am saying & hey, have you thought about installing the Linky device to these monthly posts? You know, like the one we include in the Friday Fictioneers? Let me know if I can help…<3
{{hugs}}
Oh, & groovy commercials, luv! ❤
Sunshine,
I googled ‘linky device,” but I got some kinky web site from Thailand. haha What do you mean? I am going to Friday Fictioneers to try to find it.
it’s the blue froggy face looking thingy that every person attaches to their post and it gets linked onto one page.
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Oh I am definitely doing this 🙂 I have the saying and picture ready!! Will post next week.
Good luck to everyone taking part!
Peace 😉
Rohan.
[…] Monthly Peace Challenge – Mad Men […]
This is great! I’m going to a lobby day tomorrow and a rally on Saturday for gun safety. I was already planning to blog about it for my monthly peace post, and now I’ll have to make sure to take lots and lots of pictures of everybody’s signs and slogans for the “commercial.” The anti-gun-safety will be there will guns slung to their backs, so it will be quite interesting…
[…] Monthly Peace Challenge: Mad Men This month, be Don Draper and construct an advertisement for peace (using any medium you prefer – words, photos, video, etc) […]
I’m not much of an advertising gal, but it gave me an idea http://blog.thepanamaadventure.com/2013/02/08/bloggers-for-peace-mad-men/
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hey, Kozo…my advertisement for today: http://wp.me/p1RzUf-22j
♥
[…] Bloggers for Peace, the Monthly Peace Challenge: Mad Men is to create something that conveys the message of peace: an ad, a slogan, a short film, a poem, a […]
My slogan “Peace is Possible” and my bits-and-bobs peace sign: http://carondann.com/2013/02/22/peace-is-possible/
Sorry to post twice! I didn’t realise the first would come on automatically because of the tag.
[…] Monthly Peace Challenge: Mad Men (everydaygurus.com) […]
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