Showing posts with label citizenship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label citizenship. Show all posts

28 March 2012

Season of Nonviolence - Day 58

Welcome to Day 58 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 58:CITIZENSHIP

Robert Muller, former Assistant Secretary General to the United Nations urges, “Use every letter you write, every conversation you have, every meeting you attend, to express your fundamental beliefs and dreams.” Make a difference in your community by becoming involved. 

To be a citizen means to help your community be the best it can be.  You are a member of many communities:  your family, your place of work or school, your place of worship, your city, your country, and the planet.  Participation in your community presents an opportunity to model nonviolent action, peaceful resolution, and how each of us can and do make a difference.

Today:  I will call or write one of my legislators and register my views.  I will tell at least three people of my efforts and ask them to do the same.

28 March 2011

Season of Nonviolence – Day 58: Citizenship

Welcome to Day 58 of the Season of Nonviolence – 64 Days of peaceful wisdom honoring the lives and nonviolent principles of Mahatma 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.

Day 58: Citizenship

“Citizenship is a tough occupation which obliges the citizen to make his own informed opinion and stand by it.” ~ Martha Gellhorn

Citizenship in any democratic nation is more than a matter of birthright. It carries a responsibility to understand the issues our governments and world face. Citizens are called cast informed votes. To do this it is necessary to seek out facts from reliable sources and decide for ourselves what we believe is right.

How do you respond to your duties of citizenship? Do you sign petitions or cast your vote in major elections? How do you help determine the path your country takes? Contemplate or journal about the role of citizenship in your life today.