Day 26 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Respect"

Greetings, family!

Today is Tuesday, February 24, and the thought for today is 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.

“The right things to do are those that keep our violence in abeyance; the wrong things are those that bring it to the fore.”
--Robert J. Sawyer (1960 - ), "Calculating God", 2000

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? [WWJD?]
Janis Kelly @2007

Would He say, “Love your neighbors, but only if they look like you?”
And “Treat all men as your brother,” but only mean a chosen few?
Would He sit back and watch as the world came tumbling down?
Would He stand there in silence as we burned it to the ground?
And so I ask myself sometimes, WWJD?

Would He say, “All life is sacred, but really only up to birth?”
And would He give you His blessing, in using force to rule the earth?”
Would He preach that two wrongs can somehow make a right?
And if you think you're righteous, you are justified to fight”
And so I ask myself sometimes, WWJD?

(I think He’d:)
Stop the war! Free the people! Tell all nations that war shall cease!
(And He'd:)
Light the light! Love the loveless!
Teach the children—to live in peace!

If He were here today, I think we’d hear Him say,
"There has got to be a better--be a better way!”
If He were here right now, would He get a second glance,
Would we listen as He asked us to give peace a chance?

Would He say we're all a part of God’s great big family tree?
And would He say, “Please treat each other
the same as you would treat me?”
Would He show that forgiveness is the key to happiness;
And lasting power can be found in gentleness?
So I ask myself sometimes, WWJD?

(I think He’d:)
Stop the war! Free the people! Tell all nations that war shall cease!
(And He'd:)
Light the light! Love the loveless!
Teach the children—to live in peace!

Teach the children—to live in peace!
Teach the children—to live in peace!
Teach the children—to live in peace!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com