Days 51-53 of the Season For Nonviolence: "Advocacy," "Equality," "Action"

Greetings, family!

Today is Monday, March 23, and I will be posting for days 51-53 of the Season For Nonviolence today, on the following topics: ADVOCACY, EQUALITY and ACTION.

DAY 51 Mar. 21: The thought for today is ADVOCACY. “When someone stands up to violence” says Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, “a force for change is released. Every action for peace requires someone to exhibit the courage to challenge violence and inspire love.” Thich Nhat Hanh's life is about nonviolence, and ours can be too.

When we choose to be an advocate for nonviolence and decide right now that we will be the one to stop the violence, we release peace into the world.


Today: I will be an ally. Without blaming or judging others, I will listen from my heart, and speak out with love for those who are disrespected, abused or not listened to. I will find out how I can be an advocate in current conflicts, such as in The Sudan.

DAY 52 Mar. 22: The thought for today is EQUALITY. Have you ever noticed the groups of people who are under-represented in your activities and lifestyle? The Constitution of the United States says that all people are equal, and all people have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Do you think everyone in our community is treated equally? If not, what can you do to change this?

"Unless man is committed to the belief that all mankind are his brothers, then he labors in vain and hypocritically in the vineyards of equality." -Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.


When you recognize as your equals those with whom you disagree, true opportunities for dialogue emerge - opportunities that are denied when you think of yourself as better than, or less than, others. Martin Buber wrote about the "I-Thou" connection, the ultimate equality, and the place from which nonviolence originates.

Today: I will be mindful of ways that I see myself as better than others. When I listen to people today, I will listen to them as equals; when I speak, I will speak to others as equals. I will enrich my life by considering how I can invite different people and unusual experiences into my life today.

DAY 53 Mar. 23: The thought for today is ACTION. “Each of us can work to change a small portion of events and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation” said Robert Kennedy. Imagine what actions Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy would be taking if they were among us today.


Truly nonviolent action is centered in love and compassion. Actions speak louder than words, it is said, yet it is not so much loudness as clarity and truth that matters; a gentle action can be far more powerful than a forceful one. So, too, the smallest actions - those closest to home - can be more meaningful than those expressed from a distance.

Today: I will explore actions from the heart I can take today to express my commitment to peace and nonviolence - in both my personal life and in the public domain. I will find a way to make one small change that will contribute to the well being of my home, school, workplace or community.

May You Know Light (Janis Kelly @2007)

I'm praying for my brothers,
everywhere around the world;
I'm praying for my sisters,
that their voices might be heard;
I'm praying for the children,
that hope always lights their way;
I'm praying for the elders,
that they're blessed by each new day.

May you know love, may you know light,
may you know Peace-on-Earth;
May you know courage, beauty,
grace and power;
May you know strength, may you know joy,
may you know mercy all your days;
May you know blessings without end.

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com