Day 35 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Understanding"

Greetings, family!

Today is Thursday, March 5, DAY 35 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is UNDERSTANDING.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist teacher, says, “When you understand, you cannot help but love. Practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of compassion.”

Today: When I find myself disagreeing with someone, I will focus on understanding what they are saying - and why. I will listen compassionately to them, with a silent thought of love, and tell them what I understand them to be saying. With empathy, I will say clearly and quietly what I believe to be true.

LET ME BE (Janis Kelly @ 2005)

VERSE 1
I don’t look the same as you do
I don’t have the same kind of name
I don’t share your views on so many things
But deep in our hearts we’re the same—just the same

CHORUS
Let me be!
Let me be!
Let me be!
Let me be!

VERSE 2
I don’t sound the same as you do
I don’t say the same kind of prayers
I don’t read the books that you say I should
But I share your hopes and your cares—your cares

CHORUS

BRIDGE
I want to dream, just like you; I want to strive, just like you
I want to laugh and to cry and to live and to die
To be free, like you—
Why can’t you let me...

VERSE 3
I don’t teach my children to hate you
I don’t try to tell them you are wrong
I say they should love and respect who you are
For how else can we get along—get along?

CHORUS

OUTRO VAMP
Just let me live my life
Just let me do what’s right
Why can’t we all be free?
Be you and I’ll be me!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com