Rejoice in the work that you have done. Celebrate the journey that you have made with countless others who believe that every individual can move the world in the direction of peace with their nonviolent choice and action. Margaret Mead said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Tomorrow, April 4th, is the final day of the Season for Nonviolence. We hope you have enjoyed becoming a stronger advocate and proponent of nonviolence. The journey doesn't end here and there are far more than 64 ways to practice nonviolence.
Every day, we continue to grow, live, communicate, and interact with others and our environment. We hope you will join us in continuing to practice everyday nonviolence in everything that we do and exploring all of the different ways that we can do so.
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A Sufi proverb says, “When the heart weeps for what it has lost, the spirit laughs for what it has found.” Today look back on how far you have come during this 64 day journey. Release the weight of your past, judgments of yourself and others, and the idea that world peace is not possible by acknowledging that you do make a difference.
Spend five minutes reflecting on your commitment to nonviolence. Write down what it means to you and what you are willing to do as a consequence of your commitment to it. Make your commitment public by sharing it with at least 2 people.
An 11 year old writes, “Peace is a special thought or a special love or light or spark that we all share within ourselves.” Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, “Practice watering seeds of joy and peace and not just seeds of anger and violence, and the elements of war in all of us will be transformed.” Today, make a choice to meet each experience with an intention for peace.
“We are each other’s bond,” writes poet Gwendolyn Brooks. Those who practice nonviolence cannot close their eyes to injustice or cruelty. We are here to be a witness for justice and compassion. Today be willing to stand up for Truth by your presence, your words and actions.
Alcohol and drug abuse is both a consequence and a cause of violence. Today have the courage to intervene in a caring way with someone who is using alcohol or drugs. Through your honest and straightforward communication, encourage them to get educated, get help, get sober and free from drugs.
Robert Muller, former assistant secretary general to the UN, urges, “Use every letter you write, every conversation you have, every meeting you attend, to express your fundamental beliefs and dreams.” Today call or write one of your legislators and register your views.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve ... You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” Sign up to volunteer a minimum of two hours this month with an organization of your choice. Share your commitment with at least one person.
People need the dignity of work and the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. Economic self-sufficiency is a requirement for a nonviolent world. Today, create a job for someone or help someone to find employment (examples: help them with a resume or application. Help them make phone calls, dress appropriately, practice interviewing.)
The quality of your community starts with you. Take responsibility for the quality of your community wherever you are. Today, pick up trash that is not your own, whether at home, at the office, or on the street. Every little bit helps.
Practice generosity by sharing time, energy and material resources with those in need. Clean out your closet, bureau drawers, or garage. Are there things you aren’t using that might be of value to someone else? Today give away what you are no longer using.
“Each of us can work to change a small portion of events and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation,” said Robert Kennedy. Today, find a way to make one, small change that will contribute to the well-being of your home, school, workplace or community.
Have you ever noticed the groups of people who are under-represented in your activities and lifestyle? Find one way to connect with a person from these groups today.
“When someone stands up to violence,” says Thich Nhat Hanh, “a force for change is released. Every action for peace requires someone to exhibit the courage to challenge violence and inspire love.” Today be an ally. Without blaming or judging others, speak out for those who are disrespected.
Be aware today of any jokes or remarks that show disrespect toward racial and ethnic groups, people of different genders, classes of people, religious groups, LGBTQ+ folk, people of different abilities, etc. Be considerate of every person’s identity and dignity, and choose not to participate in disrespectful conversation.
Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.” Before each meal today, stop to honor all the hands that brought it to you and to bless the earth for its bounty.
Value the earth by conserving natural resources and avoiding the purchase of products that deplete rain forests or exploit labor forces. Practice recycling today by using at least one recycled product or by recycling a product.
We are quickly nearing the end of the Season for Nonviolence.
Today is the 46th day of the Season; for the remaining eighteen days, we will take on the ways we can practice nonviolence in our communities. Have a conversation with someone today about what the world would be like if there were no weapons nor any need for them. Imagine such a world. Mother Teresa implored us to “find someone who thinks he is alone and let him know that he is not.” Today, do as Mother Teresa suggests.
Labor organizer Caesar Chavez teaches, “If you use violence, you have to sell part of yourself for that violence. Then you are no longer a master of your own struggle.” Breathe deeply, silently counting backwards from ten to calm yourself and cool off before you speak or act with impatience or anger. Do this as least once today.
When we work together, we are stronger than when we work alone. Today, find one significant way that you can cooperate more effectively with the people in your family or workplace, school or community. Do it.
Dale Carnegie says that the greatest need people have is for love and approval. Praise, compliment and honor the uniqueness of at least five people today. Notice the positive impact you make by valuing the individuality of each one.
In conflicting situations, personal accountability allows us to take responsibility for how we contribute to the conflict. Today, take responsibility for how you contribute to a conflict and make a different choice that can lead to a peaceful resolution.
A Turkish proverb says, “He who builds himself a fence, fences out more than he fences in.” Today be open to understanding ideas and people that you have previously opposed.
Differences give variety to life and are often only on the surface anyway. Today look for three ways to see beyond outer differences in opinions, appearances, or goals. Find the meeting point of underlying unity that exists in diversity
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