24 February 2012

Season of Nonviolence - Day 26

Welcome to Day 26 of the Season of Nonviolence – 64 Days of peaceful wisdom honoring the lives and nonviolent principles of Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Cesar Chavez.

Nonviolence begins with learning how to be less violent and more compassionate towards ourselves. We learn by building the courage to speak and act with respect, honor and reverence for our own being.

Eleanor Roosevelt has urged, "You must do the things that you think you cannot do." Practicing these 64 Ways will challenge you to do things that you think you cannot do.



Day 26: 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 our language be based on respect for those we 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 view-point 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.

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