President's Corner: Leaving Behind a Better and More Peaceful World
Dear friends,
Much of the world is now mourning as one of the great leaders of this century, Queen Elizabeth II of England, who passed away on Sept. 8.
Through testimonies, stories, and non-stop news, we have seen an outpouring of extraordinary love and admiration for the longest-reigning British monarch—yet also criticism concerning the failings of the British Empire's colonialism, which continued during her tenure as queen.
Above and beyond the criticism of the Empire and its politics, however, I would like to take a moment to look at Queen Elizabeth as a great woman leader of our times. She personally exhibited an incredibly high and noteworthy character, marked by integrity, faith, humility, resilience, dignity, and service to others. The late queen also had a strong sense of fulfilling her God-given duty, which she felt was given her by God. And she most often executed her duties with a motherly heart and grace, as well as with humor.
Several articles and posts also noted that Queen Elizabeth was successful because she used "soft power." It is that "soft power" (definition: a subtle, persuasive approach) with which WFWP USA resonates—the feminine (not feminist) way of conduct and approach to problem-solving rather than "hard power" (definition: a coercive approach to achieve certain outcomes). Why? Because soft power has a better chance of bringing about real and lasting change and peace. Imposing a solution using hard power may produce a quick fix but ultimately will provoke further struggle, anger, and divisiveness.
Many I have talked to feel that, with Queen Elizabeth's passing, an entire era is coming to an end, which has been a history defined and based on "hard power" wars, struggle, strife, pain, and suffering. I am equally hopeful and convinced that a new era of brother and sisterhood, of interdependence, mutual prosperity, and universally shared values, which is WFWP’s founder Dr. Ha Ja Han Moon's vision, can become a reality in this next decade and century.
I sincerely believe that, as long as women play a significant role in all sectors of society in applying soft power and working together beyond race, religion, and nationality, we will be able to leave behind a better and more peaceful world.
Sharing with you one of our most cherished quotes by Dr. Moon:
History is calling for compassion, love, service and sacrifice. Many of our problems cannot be solved by the power of Logic, but rather can be solved by the Logic of Love!
Wishing you a Happy Month of September!
Sincerely,
Angelika Selle