13 March 2012

Season of Nonviolence - Day 43

Welcome to Day 43 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 43: UNIQUENESS

Dale Carnegie says "The greatest need people have is for love and approval."   Most of us cannot help comparing ourselves with others, at least now and then.  This has become so entrenched in our culture that in order to have self-esteem, it seems almost necessary to say "I am better than he or she" implying therefore I am good.  As long as we compete with each other and compare one with another, a certain amount of envy is inescapable.  It is the very rare person who is completely free from jealousy.

But as our awareness grows, we will know that there is a uniqueness about everyone. The truly nonviolent person never tries to compare himself with others, or others among themselves.  While being aware of our uniqueness, also being aware of our oneness creates a sense of nonviolence.

Today:    I will do something that shows how unique I am.  I may draw a picture, sing a song, dance or write a story.   I will praise, compliment or honor the uniqueness of someone I know and by doing so, notice the positive impact I make by recognizing their uniqueness.

No comments: