Season of Nonviolence - Day 41

Welcome to Day 41 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 41: OPENNESS

A Turkish proverb says, “he who builds himself a fence, fences out more than he fences in.”  If you don’t listen to someone because they look different or have different ideas than you, you’re building a fence around yourself and you’re missing out on having a new friend and learning something new.  When we refrain from acting on a negative emotion or selfish desire, we stop building the fence around our life - we can open our life up to others.  When we can be open to the opportunity for growth, we can use this as a way to find nonviolent ways to resolve differences. 

Today: I will be open to understanding ideas and people that I have previously opposed.  I will find somebody who I never wanted to talk to before and find a way to have a conversation with him or her.

Season of Nonviolence – Day 41: Openness

Welcome to Day 41 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 41: OPENNESS

"Openness works like the proverbial sunshine." ~ Jonathan Knight

The closed door may keep the unwanted out, but it also keeps what we want from coming in. To receive our good we must open the door and allow it to be. Openness requires a vulnerability that may feel threatening, but in small doses it can also be the ray of light that changes everything. We can be more open in our posture; we can open our minds; we can open our wallets; we can open our hearts. What are we willing to open yourself up to?

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.

Notice your behavior and body language today. Do you keep your arms crossed when you talk to people? Do you look others in the eye or keep your head down? Do you judge anyone who makes a comment you don't agree with or ask questions to better understand their point of view? Journal about or contemplate ways you can become more open.

From A Season of Nonviolence