Day 7 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Education"

Greetings, family!

Today is Thursday, February 5, and our word for today is "Education."

Knowledge strengthens your conviction and deepens your understanding and acceptance. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--this is the goal of true education." The complete education teaches how to live by the principles which benefit us and the people around us.

Learn about the power of nonviolence by educating yourself. Read an article, periodical or book; watch a video on a subject that relates to nonviolence. Learn about human rights, diversity, ecology, history, politics, forgiveness, spirituality, peace studies, biographies of heroes and more.

Today's activity: I consciously expand my knowledge about nonviolence. I will share what I have learned with at least three other people and invite them to learn, too.

Today's affirmation: "Today, I practice self-compassion."

NATIVE AMERICAN PRAYER FOR PEACE
O Great Spirit of our Ancestors:
I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers the four winds,
And to Mother Earth who provides for your children:
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other,
So that they may grow with peace in mind.
Let us learn to share all the good things that you provide for us on the Earth.

I GO WITHIN (Janis Kelly @2006)
I recognize the beauty of this moment
For I see its value to my life
I understand my story is exactly as I’ve planned
Every detail, every nuance, every strand

I realize that blaming you is futile
For my wounds can only start to heal
Once I speak the truth of where they came from
And I change the thoughts that keep them real

I go within—and suddenly I’m lifted,
I go within—and suddenly I’m loved
I reach across the universe to touch the face of God
I go within, I go within—to where I am FREE

When darkness falls, when storm clouds seem to gather
And road to peace looks out of reach
When my heart is on the verge of breaking
And my tears can bring me no relief

Then I cry, “Why have I been forsaken?”
In my very hour of greatest need
And the answer comes inside a still, small, voice:
"I am here, I’ll never, never leave."

I go within—and suddenly I’m grounded
I go within—and suddenly I’m whole
I reach across the universe to touch the face of God
I go within, I go within—to where I am FREE

I go within—to where I can find myself
I go within--to where I can remind myself
I go within--to where I can be kind to myself
Feel fine as myself, be by myself, and shine as myself!
When I go within
I go within--to where I am FREE