A Season For Nonviolence
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Opening
OPENING DAY
January 30, was the anniversary of the assassination of Gandhi, began the 28th year of A Season For Nonviolence. Even after 28 years of publishing these nonviolent practices, we still feel compelled to publish and promote and MODEL each of the 64 practices. We hope you too, will not only engage in each of these 64 practices, but also promote each day's action to everyone you know, and encourage each person to do likewise. The more people reading and taking into their interactions with everyone they meet, the closer we will be to living in a peaceful, nonviolent world. Yes, we believe it is possible, but it ain't gonna happen by itself, we all have to understand the concepts, actually do the work, and use them in every interaction we have. AND, teach them to our children. We know in our hearts it is possible! In advance, THANK YOU for your support and encouragement.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 32: Patience
DAY 32: The practice for today is PATIENCE. According to farm activist Cesar Chavez, "Nonviolence is not non-action… It is hard work…It is the patience to win." When your plans seem delayed, choose to be patient by recognizing ways you can constructively use this time to support your goal. By practicing patience we can respond rather than react, and by doing so, stay centered and at peace. Patience and passion both come from a Latin word meaning to suffer or endure. Whenever we practice patience - cheerfully bearing with somebody who is irascible, or enduring discomfort, rather than imposing it on others - we are embracing those principles and creating an opportunity to model nonviolence. There is only one way to create a nonviolent world, and that is by being nonviolent ourselves.
Today: I will look for opportunities to practice patience. In a situation where there is friction, rather than run away, I will move closer to the core of the conflict and look for a nonviolent solution. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 31: Praise
DAY 31: The practice for today is PRAISE. Appreciation helps people to grow. Offer praise to the people you encounter today for their personal qualities, achievements or helpful service. Telling someone what you appreciate about them is paramount in nonviolent communication. Praise is important for ourselves, too. Louise Hay says "Praise yourself as much as you can … The love in our lives begins with us … Loving yourself will help heal this planet." Peace in our world begins with each and every one of us.
Today: I will give sincere praise to at least three people today for their personal qualities, achievements, or helpful service, and then to myself. I will journal about the experience and feelings of each encounter. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 30: Making Amends
DAY 30: The practice for today is MAKING AMENDS. The other side of forgiveness is making amends, when it is you who has been - or needs to be - forgiven for hurt or wrongdoing you may have caused. As with forgiveness, the gift of making amends - to yourself and to whoever has been hurt or wronged - is revealed when it is given unconditionally from your heart. What would it be like if world leaders made amends?
"Making amends may seem like a bitter pill to swallow, but for those serious about recovery it can be great medicine for the spirit and soul." -Step 9: The Twelve Steps
Today: As I interact with people today, I will reflect on whether there are ways I feel moved to make amends; I will let my heart gently guide me, as I recall each person's unique ways of expressing his or her joys, fears and pains. I will be open to let my heart speak through words, actions, thoughts or prayers. I will offer a sincere apology to someone I may have hurt. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 29: Forgiveness
DAY 29: The practice for today is FORGIVENESS. When we forgive, we do not condone hurtful behavior. When we realize that there is something within us that is more important than this hurtful experience, we are free to let go of the past and move on with our lives. In doing so, we open our hearts to the humanity of those we forgive.
As we forgive others, we are teaching the mind to respond with forgiveness everywhere, even to the misdeeds and mistakes of our own past. And if I have treated a particular person badly, even if I can no longer receive that person's forgiveness, I can still receive the forgiveness of myself.
"The result of forgiveness is the stopping of the recycling of anger within ourselves and in the world. Peace will come to the world when each of us takes the responsibility of forgiving everyone, including ourselves, completely." -Gerald Jampolsky
Today: I am willing to let go of the past, and forgive those who have hurt me, and towards whom I feel anger. I will forgive myself too. Today, I will write a letter of forgiveness to someone for an event that still has strong emotional attachment for me (I do not have to mail it). -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 28: Listening
DAY 28: The practice for today is LISTENING. Can you stop what you are doing and thinking, and take time to truly listen to the feelings behind someone's words? Being fully present for the conversation and interested in what that person is saying is a practice of nonviolence. Notice the difference between hearing and listening is that listening requires active participation. To bring peace to the listening process, add a component of Marshall Rosenberg's "Nonviolent Communications" which involves listening with compassion. The listener attends fully to the speaker's words, while sensing the feelings and needs beneath the words. The listener is fully present, not trying to "figure it out", nor trying to "get it right", nor trying to “fix it.” If I can listen to you with compassion, it is usually only a short time before you listen with compassion to me, creating a nonviolent dialogue.
Today: I will be fully present to each conversation I engage in, and listen longer than usual - and with more patience - to what others are saying. I will give the other person my full attention, because nothing else really matters. I will look directly at the person who is speaking, without thinking about other things. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 27: Generosity
DAY 27: The practice for today is GENEROSITY. Mother Teresa said, "There is a hidden poverty more pervasive than lack of money. It is the poverty of the heart." Look at ways you can contribute to your family, friends and community through your generosity. You will see how your generous gift comes back to you. The more generous you are today, the more generosity you will have tomorrow. The more love you give, the more loving you become. The more generous you become, the less need to defend what you have, the greater your capacity for nonviolence.
Today: I will find three ways to give generously of my time, talent and resources to others. I will create a 'Gift Certificate' for someone. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 26: Respect
DAY 26: The practice for today is RESPECT. Gandhi taught "Language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers." Respecting yourself and others means making a choice not to use profanity or 'put downs'. Let your language be based on respect for those you address. The life of peace excludes no one. Let your words reflect your respect for others - speak from the depth of your heart and soul. The other side of respect is listening - listen to others with the respect that what they have to say matters. The act of listening has a calming effect on others, even if they are in a heated tirade, just listening models a nonviolent response.
"Courtesy towards opponents and eagerness to understand their viewpoint is the ABC of nonviolence." -M.K. Gandhi
Today: As I interact with and observe people during the day, I will be aware of ways in which I respect each person. I will draw a picture of someone for whom I have a great deal of respect, then frame the picture with words that describe this person. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 25: Friendliness
DAY 25: The practice for today is FRIENDLINESS. To humorist Will Rogers, strangers were simply friends he hadn’t met. View those you encounter in that light. Every time I am friendly toward another, I help break down the wall of separation and I contribute to nonviolence. When we extend our friendliness (our love) outward, we include not only our friends, but our community, our country, and our world.
Today: I will make a new acquaintance, befriend a stranger. I will go up to someone I haven’t met yet and say "Hi friend." -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 24: Harmony
DAY 24: The practice for today is HARMONY. Choosing NOT to engage in any form of gossip today contributes to harmony. Choosing to see the good in others rather than finding fault leads to peaceful relationships. By making these choices, we are contributing to a culture of nonviolence; we are being a model of peace.
We don't live in this world alone, and we need other people if we are to grow. Can you practice patience with a deer? Can you learn to forgive a redwood? Of course not, but we can do these things with other people. By doing so, by choosing to live in harmony with the people around me, will bring enormous inner growth.
Today: I will choose to see the good in others instead of finding fault. I will spend the entire day without criticizing anything or anyone; if I am tempted to criticize, I will write down the criticism rather than speaking it, and then later discover where the criticism is coming from within me. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 23: Prayer
DAY 23: The practice for today is PRAYER. "Prayer from the heart can achieve what nothing else in the world can" said Gandhi.
Begin and end the day with a prayer for peace. Peace begins with me.
Saint Francis of Assisi said it this way:
"..... make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy."
Today: I will begin and end the day with a prayer for peace. When I say goodbye to people, I will say "May Peace Prevail on Earth." I will create a space in my home dedicated to prayer for nonviolence. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 22: Mission
DAY 22: The thought for today is MISSION. "My life is my message" said Gandhi. Gandhi’s mission was to be nonviolent. What do you want to stand for in your life? Our mission, and our deepest need, is for the joy that comes with loving and being loved, with knowing we are of genuine service to others. If we are determined to stick to what is really important in life, then from day to day we will see that the unimportant pastimes, the distractions that lead us away from our purpose, will gradually weaken their hold.
Today: I will write down what I stand for in my life. I will note at least one way I can show, through action, that I stand for my beliefs. I will develop a personal mission statement and draw a picture of myself living my mission. I will share my mission with at least three other people. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 21: Inspiration
Day 21: The practice for today is INSPIRATION. There are many people who inspire us. Take a moment to reflect upon someone who inspires you and what characteristics you most admire in them. See the potential that is also within you and choose to cultivate these characteristics in your daily life. And as I live a nonviolent life, I too, will inspire others to follow my model, because human nature responds to such an example.
"Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life BE Revelation." -Eileen Caddy
Today: As I think of at least two people who exemplify the practice of nonviolence, I'll acknowledge what it is I admire about them, what inspires me about them. I'll practice these behaviors today so that other people may be inspired and I'll share this insight with at least three other people. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 20: Self-Forgiveness
DAY 20: The practice for today is SELF-FORGIVENESS. When I judge myself, I tend to believe that who I am is what I have done or not done, what I have or do not have. I know that who I am is greater than all these things. I am greater than any mistake I have ever made. When I get even the slightest glimpse of the unity of life, I realize that sitting in judgment of other people and countries and races, I am training my mind to sit in judgment of myself. As I forgive others, I am teaching the mind to respond with forgiveness everywhere, even to the misdeeds and mistakes of my own past. Practicing self-forgiveness is a foundation for practicing nonviolence.
Today: I will write an apology letter to myself for anything I have done to myself that I wish I had not, or ways that I have disappointed myself and not fully lived up to my potential. I'll mail the letter to myself and when it arrives, I will read it in a quiet place.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 19: Acceptance
DAY 19: The practice for today is ACCEPTANCE. "Resentment, fear, criticism and guilt cause more problems than anything else" says author Louise Hay. By choosing not to judge myself and see myself as unique, loving, capable and bright, and by accepting myself just as I am, I am modeling nonviolence. Any time I can take down the walls of defense, I open myself up to a nonviolent way of living.
"Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such." -Henry Miller
Today: As I reflect on what is difficult for me to accept - in myself, in other people, and in the state of the world - I'll let go of any resistance or judgment, and allow myself to accept and acknowledge whatever I have been resisting.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 18: Freedom
DAY 18: The thought for today is FREEDOM. Nelson Mandela said "To be free is to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." Personal freedom means we are no longer dependent on how others act towards us. The person who practices this freedom is a model for nonviolent conflict resolution. By loving people who oppose or disagree with us and responding with compassionate communication helps bring us closer to peace, and healing to the world. Our native state is freedom. What we want most is to be free of all the thought and actions that keep us from living in peace with ourselves, with others, and with the environment. This desire for freedom is at the core of our being.
Today: I will reflect on areas of my life where I express my freedom, acknowledge those areas where I do not feel free and make a plan for resolving this conflict.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 17: Integrity
DAY 17: The practice for today is INTEGRITY. "Do the Right Thing!" Spike Lee used these words as a title for one of his movies. When faced with a choice, listen to your conscience, and be willing to act accordingly, no matter what others may say. I know what is right to do; I can choose to do it. Integrity asks for firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values and denies any form of corruption. Integrity is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. And when I am in harmony, I am a model of nonviolence. This applies not only to human interactions, but also to those with the plants and animals, with the entire earth.
Today: When faced with a choice today, I listen to my conscience. I'll recall, then write a short story about a time when I listened to my heart when the people around me were doing something else.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 16: Gratitude
DAY 16: The practice for today is GRATITUDE. On her TV show, Oprah Winfrey frequently promoted the daily practice of gratitude. Expressing gratitude to others and to ourselves has a direct affect on our mental and physical attitude. People who express gratitude suffer less stress, are more optimistic and in general are happier than those who do not.
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -Melody Beattie
Today: I will list five things for which I am grateful for and share these good things with another, then reflect on who and what made those experiences possible. I will write a "thank-you" note to someone who would least expect me to thank them. I'll journal about my feelings with regard to this.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 15: Reverence
DAY 15: The practice for today is REVERENCE. Reverence for all life is fundamental to Ahimsa; it is the ultimate rationale for nonviolence - for how can one willingly do harm to that for which one has reverence - and towards which one has the love that reverence engenders?
"In the main, reverence for life dictates the same sort of behavior as the ethical principle of love. But reverence for life contains within itself the rationale of the commandment to love, and it calls for compassion for all creature life." ~Albert Schweitzer
"Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence." ~ Plato
Today: I open myself up to a feeling of reverence for all forms of life, especially each and every person that I meet during the day. I'll take a walk outside and experience the beauty that surrounds me as I BE with the sky, the plants and animals, as well as my brothers and sisters.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 14: Humility
DAY 14: The practice for today is HUMILITY. Making mistakes is a part of learning and growing, an error in approach. Paradoxically, the only way we can begin to resolve the consequences of our actions is to stop running from them and to face them with fortitude and humility. In this sense, every difficult situation is a precious opportunity for learning. When I humbly acknowledge my mistakes and reflect on what I have learned, it frees me from the need to be defensive. Being free from defending my position creates an opportunity for nonviolence.
"The seeker after truth should be humbler than the dust. The world crushes the dust under its feet, but the seeker after truth should so humble himself that even the dust could crush him. Only then, and not till then, will he have a glimpse of the truth." - Gandhi
Today: As I gaze up at the stars tonight, I am aware of how small I am, how my life is but a fleeting moment in the vast scale of time and distances of the solar system and the universe. And in that moment of humility, I acknowledge that I DO make a difference.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 13: Creativity
DAY 13: The practice for today is CREATIVITY. The human soul's natural desire is to create. The best thing you can do is to nourish the soul to express this natural desire to create. Your life is your creative expression. Creativity allows something unpredictable and joyous to express through you.
"Why should we use all our creative power? . . . Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold and compassionate, so indifferent to fighting and the accumulation of objects and money." -Brenda Ueland
Today: I reflect on what I am creating in my life today by identifying at least five ways in which I can express my creativity joyously. I will create something that expresses my feelings about nonviolence. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 12: Grounded
DAY 12: The practice for today is GROUNDED. Gandhi said "To forget how to dig the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves." Black Elk reminds us "Some little root of the sacred tree still lives. Nourish it, that it may leaf and bloom and fill with singing birds." This is how we feel when we are grounded, like a tree planted in the earth. Stand up straight and close your eyes. Imagine your body is a tree. Send down roots into the soil, feel the sun shining from above. Feel your branches and leaves blowing in the wind. When we feel grounded, we feel secure in our environment; and when we feel secure, we are more likely to respond to a situation in a nonviolent way. Being grounded helps us contribute to peace, to a culture of nonviolence.
Today: I will nurture a plant or plant a seed in, and for, the earth. When I am in a confrontational situation, I will recall that sense of being grounded and respond in a grounded, nonviolent way.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 11: Contemplation
DAY 11: The practice for today is CONTEMPLATION. The "law of action" states that everything we do - even everything we think, since our thoughts condition our behavior - has consequences; not "equal and opposite" as in physics, but equal and alike. Many sacred texts tell us some variation of "your thoughts shape your reality".
"The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival." -Aristotle
Today: I take a moment to relax, breathe and let my mind be fed by what is good, beautiful, and peaceful. As I think, so I am! I will write down my thoughts and share them with others. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 10: Faith
DAY 10: The practice for today is FAITH. When Cesar Chavez was organizing farm workers in California, he challenged them to say, "Si, se puede" - yes, it is possible - when they didn’t know how they would overcome obstacles. You too, can say "Yes, it is possible" even if you don’t know how your goal will be realized. When you have faith, you will find a way. Faith enables you to work free from tension, agitation, and fear of defeat. When you approach life with faith, you are always at peace, because you are not anxious about the results.
Today: I will say, "Yes, it is possible," to every obstacle I meet. I will write down three things of which I am having a challenge and with each one write "It is possible for me to overcome this obstacle and be successful."
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 9: Visioning
DAY 9: The practice for today is VISIONING. Martin Luther King, Jr., had a great dream, a vision. You too, have a vision - follow your vision, your dream, follow your heart, follow your inner light. A vision, like a thought, is a precursor to action; a vision without action is just a hallucination.
We need men (and women) who can dream of things that never were, and ask why not. - George Bernard Shaw
There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask, 'Why?' I dream of things that never were, and ask 'Why not?' -Robert F KennedyToday: I take ownership of my own vision for peace and nonviolence. I will write down and act on at least one thing to honor my dream today.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 8: Healing
DAY 8: The practice for today is HEALING. Poet and activist, Maya Angelou turned a traumatic childhood experience into a catalyst for creativity and achievement. She used this experience as a reason to bring peace to the world. We all have had such experiences, sometimes holding on to the experience for a very long time. A mantram is a wonderful way to resolve conflict we hold in our mind and one of the best times to repeat the mantram is while falling asleep at night. Tuck yourself in, close your eyes, and start repeating your mantram. Between the last waking moment and the first sleeping moment, there is an opening into deepest consciousness. You can send your mantram in through that opening, repeating itself in your sleep, healing old wounds and restoring your peace of mind.
Today: I will reflect on an incident in my life to find the "gift" it has brought me. I will write down two ways I can use this memory to become a more creative and peaceful person. Consciously, I share this gift with others.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 7: Education
DAY 7: The practice for today is EDUCATION. Knowledge strengthens your conviction and deepens your understanding and acceptance. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education." The complete education teaches how to live by the principles which benefit us and the people around us. Learn about the power of nonviolence by educating yourself. Read an article, periodical or book; watch a video on a subject that relates to nonviolence.
Learn about human rights, justice, diversity, ecology, history, forgiveness, spirituality, peace studies, biographies of heroes and more.
Today: I consciously expand my knowledge about nonviolence. I will share what I have learned with at least three other people, and invite them to learn, too. (Suggestions: Watch the video "A Force More Powerful" and/or "Gandhi"; read the book "Nonviolence" by Kurlanski, and/or "Nonviolent Communication" by Rosenberg.)
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 6: Simplicity
DAY 6: The practice for today is SIMPLICITY. To simplify is to invite peacefulness into your life. When we have lots of 'stuff' in our lives, it can be hard to be peaceful. Close your eyes and ask "How can I simplify my life, what can I let go of?" If I dare let go of my possessions and the will to control and dominate, I will cultivate a deeper spirit of peace within myself. By simplifying our lives, dropping less important activities and 'things', we allow more time for what matters most. We can consider the idea of accepting the present moment as a gift.
"Live simply, so others can simply live."
-Traditional Quaker guidanceToday: I will write down three ways I can simplify my life and put at least one of them into practice today. I will give away something I have not used in the past year.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 5: Believing
DAY 5: The practice for today is BELIEVING. Author Wayne Dyer writes about the impact that our beliefs have on our daily lives. Believe that you have all the resources you need to move your life in the direction of peace, happiness and nonviolence. Believe that you can be peaceful all day. Say to yourself "I am peaceful, I practice nonviolence."
Today: I will write what I believe about nonviolence. I will create an "I Believe in Nonviolence" t-shirt, bumper sticker, song, or art, and be aware of the simple demonstrations of peaceful responses.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 4: Caring
DAY 4: The practice for today is CARING. According to Peter McWilliams, "Nonviolence toward the self is caring for oneself. Self love is a crowning sense of self worth; it is what the Greeks call reverence for the self."
When I regard my life as a trust, I realize that the first resource I have to take care of is myself. This can be startling! Even my body is not really my own - it belongs to life, and it is my responsibility to take care of it. Taking care of it is a demonstration of nonviolence.
Today: I will make a list of at least five ways that I can take care of myself, physically, mentally, emotionally, and I will honor that list today through demonstration.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 3: Appreciation
DAY 3: The practice for today is APPRECIATION. Author Louise Hay says "Praise yourself as much as you can . . . The love in our lives begins with us . . . Loving yourself will help heal this planet." Peace in the world begins inside each person. Appreciating who I am raises my awareness of nonviolence.
Life is filled with opportunities to express appreciation, yet how many times do we pass up the opportunity thinking "oh, I'll tell them later." When we tell someone that we appreciate them, we are promoting nonviolence.
Today: I will write down ten things that I appreciate about myself and my life. I will tell at least one other person what I appreciate about them.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 2: Smiling
DAY 2: The practice for today is SMILING. Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh said "If, in our daily life, we can smile . . . not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work." A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and is the countersign of friendship and nonviolence. A smile not only improves our looks, it improves our outlook, and when our outlook improves, it is much easier to be at peace.
Today: I will share a sincere smile with everyone I meet, knowing that my smile contributes to peace.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 1: Courage
DAY 1: The practice for today is COURAGE.
"I can shake off everything if I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn." -Anne Frank
When I discover that everyone is contained in me and I am contained in everyone, I have then realized the unity of life. I realize I am not just a person, I am a beneficial force. Wherever you go, wherever you live, those around you will benefit from your life. Even when one unassuming man or woman in a community has the courage to lead a nonviolent life, she will make her contribution, and she will slowly inspire others to make the same contribution, because human nature responds to such an example.
When we can say, "Whatever comes, I will not be afraid because the divine Self is within me," then this resoluteness and faith will enable us to work free from tension, agitation, and fear of defeat. The person who works in this way is at peace, because he or she is not anxious about results.
Today: I will light a candle to symbolize my commitment to accept the courage to practice 64 Ways of living nonviolently. -
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Opening
OPENING DAY
January 30, was the anniversary of the assassination of Gandhi, began the 28th year of A Season For Nonviolence. Even after 28 years of publishing these nonviolent practices, we still feel compelled to publish and promote and MODEL each of the 64 practices. We hope you too, will not only engage in each of these 64 practices, but also promote each day's action to everyone you know, and encourage each person to do likewise. The more people reading and taking into their interactions with everyone they meet, the closer we will be to living in a peaceful, nonviolent world. Yes, we believe it is possible, but it ain't gonna happen by itself, we all have to understand the concepts, actually do the work, and use them in every interaction we have. AND, teach them to our children. We know in our hearts it is possible! In advance, THANK YOU for your support and encouragement.
-
Daily Practices Toward Creating A Culture of Peace - Day 32: Patience
DAY 32: The practice for today is PATIENCE. According to farm activist Cesar Chavez, "Nonviolence is not non-action… It is hard work…It is the patience to win." When your plans seem delayed, choose to be patient by recognizing ways you can constructively use this time to support your goal. By practicing patience we can respond rather than react, and by doing so, stay centered and at peace. Patience and passion both come from a Latin word meaning to suffer or endure. Whenever we practice patience - cheerfully bearing with somebody who is irascible, or enduring discomfort, rather than imposing it on others - we are embracing those principles and creating an opportunity to model nonviolence. There is only one way to create a nonviolent world, and that is by being nonviolent ourselves.
Today: I will look for opportunities to practice patience. In a situation where there is friction, rather than run away, I will move closer to the core of the conflict and look for a nonviolent solution.
Creating a Culture of Peace
Pledge of Nonviolence
Making peace must start with me. I commit myself to become a nonviolent and peaceable person.
To Respect Myself and Others
To respect myself, to affirm others and to avoid uncaring criticism, hateful words, physical attacks and self destructive
behavior..
To Communicate Better
To share my feelings honestly, to look for safe ways to talk and act when I'm angry, and to work at solving problems
peacefully.
To Listen
To listen carefully to one another, especially those who disagree with me, and to consider others' feelings and needs
rather than insist on having my own way.
To Forgive
To apologize and make amends when I have hurt another, to forgive others, and to keep from holding grudges.
To Respect Nature
To treat the environment and all living things,
including my pets, with respect and care.
To Play Creatively
To select entertainment and toys that support our family's values and to avoid entertainment that makes violence look
exciting, funny or acceptable.
To Be Courageous
To challenge violence in all its forms whenever I encounter it, whether at home, at school, at work, or in the community,
and to stand with others who are treated unfairly.
Eliminating violence, one person at a time, starting with me.
Read more about this long-running project in Len Ellis' original article, first published in 2013: