Did you know that Jan 30-April 4 is the season for nonviolence? The website www.64days.org shows us how to celebrate nonviolence in our everyday lives. Just one person and send peaceful energy out into the world that really can make a difference! Interested in this challenge? Here are day by day things we all can do to bring a little more peace into the world!
Season for Nonviolence
64 Daily Practices
WEEK 1 (1-7)
Nonviolence begins with learning how to be less violent and
more compassionate towardsourselves. We learn by building the courage to speak and act
with respect, honor andreverence for our own being.
Day 1 – COURAGE (Jan. 30)
Eleanor Roosevelt has urged, "You
must do the things that you think you cannot do." Practicing these 64Ways will challenge you to do things
that you think you cannot do.
Today, light a candle and accept thecourage to practice 64 Ways of living
nonviolently.
Day 2 – SMILING (Jan. 31)
Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh said,
"If in our daily life we can smile…not only we, but everyone willprofit from it. This is the most basic
kind of peace work." Today, share
a smile with at least three people, knowing that your smile contributes to
peace.
Day 3 – APPRECIATION (Feb. 1)
Louise Hay says, "Praise yourself
as much as you can…The love in our lives begins with us…Loving yourself will help heal this planet." Write down 10 things that you
appreciate about yourself. Read
aloud what you have written.
Day 4 – CARING (Feb. 2)
According to Peter McWilliams,
"Nonviolence toward the self is caring for oneself. It is what the Greeks call reverence for the self." Real caring is not just what we say,
but what we do. Make a list of at
least five ways that you can take better care
of yourself. Practice at least one
today.
Day 5 – BELIEVING (Feb. 3)
Author Wayne Dyer writes about the
impact that our beliefs have on our daily lives. Today, believe that you have all the resources to move your
life in the direction of peace. Be
aware of simple demonstrations of peaceful responses you receive.
Day 6 -- SIMPLICITY (Feb. 4)
To simplify is to invite
peacefulness. Think of three ways
you can simplify your life and put at least one of them into practice today.
Day 7 – EDUCATION (Feb. 5)
Knowledge strengthens your conviction
and deepens your wisdom and understanding. Learn about the power of nonviolence by educating
yourself. Read or watch on a subject that relates to nonviolence. Learn about human rights, diversity,
ecology, history, and politics, forgiveness, spirituality, peace studies, biographies of heroes and more.
WEEK 2 (8-14)
Personal centeredness gives us the inner peace and calm to
respond to situations withnonviolent means. Building that inner center is the first act
of peace making.
Day 8 – HEALING (Feb. 6)
Writer, poet, activist, and professor
Maya Angelou turned a traumatic childhood experience into a catalyst for creativity and achievement. Today, choose a painful incident in
your that and find the “gift” it has given you. Consciously share this gift with others today.
Day 9 –DREAMING (Feb. 7)
Martin Luther King, Jr. had a great
dream. What is your dream for
peace? Write it down. What is one thing you can do to honor your
dreams? Do it today.
Day 10 – FAITH (Feb. 8)
When Cesar Chavez was organizing farm
workers, he challenged them to say, "Si, se puede" (yes, it is possible) when they didn't know how
they would overcome obstacles.
Today say, "yes, it is possible," even if you don't know how your goal
will be realized. Have faith, and
say "it is possible” until you find, or are shown, a way.
Day 11 – CONTEMPLATION (Feb. 9)
For at least three minutes, relax,
breathe, and let your mind be fed by "whatsoever is good and beautiful and just." Sacred scripture
states, "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
Day 12 – GROUNDEDNESS (Feb. 10)
Gandhi said, "To forget how to dig
the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves." And Black Elk said, "Some little root of the sacred
tree still lives. Nourish it, that
it may leaf and bloom and fill with singing birds." Today place a seed in the earth, plant a tree or nurture an
open space.
Day 13 – CREATIVITY (Feb. 11)
The worst thing you can do to a human
soul is to suppress its natural desire to create. Identify at least five ways in which you express your
creativity everyday. Today, allow
something unpredictable and joyous to express through you.
Day 14 – HUMILITY (Feb. 12)
Making mistakes is a part of learning
and growing, simply an "error in approach." Today, freely acknowledge at least one mistake you
made today, and reflect for a couple of minutes on what you have learned.
WEEK 3 (15-21)
By practicing nonviolence with
ourselves, we begin to see how it might apply toward others. Each personal practice can be turned into a
practice toward another. Try it.
Day 15 – REVERENCE (Feb. 13)
Environmentalist John Muir said,
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and
give strength to body and soul."
Today, go for a walk and realize the beauty around, above and below you.
Day 16 – GRATITUDE (Feb. 14)
On her show Oprah Winfrey frequently
promotes the daily practice of gratitude. Begin the day by listing five things for which you are grateful
and end it by sharing with one person all of the good in your life today.
Day 17 – INTEGRITY (Feb. 15)
Do the right thing. Spike Lee used
these words as a title for one of his movies. When faced with a choice today, listen to your conscience. You know what's right. Do it.
Day 18 – FREEDOM (Feb. 16)
Civil rights activist Diane Nash said,
“Freedom, by definition, is people realizing that they are their own leaders." Take a leadership role today in your
own life. Find one way you can be
more expressive of who you truly are.
Day 19 – ACCEPTANCE (Feb. 17)
"Resentment, fear, criticism, and
guilt cause more problems than anything else," says Louise Hay. Today, choose not to judge yourself
(your looks, your capabilities, your expressions). See all the ways you are unique, loving, capable and
bright!
Day 20 – SELF-FORGIVENESS (Feb. 18)
When you judge yourself, you tend to
believe that who you are is what you have or don't have. Knowing that who you are is greater than all
these things, today, forgive yourself for forgetting the good that is in you.
Day 21 – INSPIRATION (Feb. 19)
Think of at least two people who
exemplify for you the practice of nonviolence. What is it you admire about them? Practice these behaviors today so that other people may be
inspired.
WEEK 4 (22-28)
“The nonviolent approach does not
immediately change the heart of the oppressor. It first does something to the hearts and souls of
those committed to it. It gives them new self-respect; it calls up resources of strength and courage they
did not know they had.” -- Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day 22 – MISSION (Feb. 20)
"My life is my message." says
Gandhi. Write down what you want
to stand for in your life. Note at
least one way you can show through action
that you stand for your beliefs.
Take this action today.
Day 23 – PRAYER (Feb. 21)
"Prayer from the heart can achieve
what nothing else in the world can." said Gandhi. Begin and end the day with a prayer for peace. Let peace begin with you.
Day 24 – HARMONY (Feb. 22)
Choosing not to engage in any form of
gossip today contributes to harmony and peace in relationships. Today, choose to see the good in others
rather than finding fault.
Day 25 – FRIENDLINESS (Feb. 23)
To humorist Will Rogers, strangers were
simply friends he hadn't met. View
those you encounter today in that light. Make a new acquaintance.
Day 26 – RESPECT (Feb. 24)
Gandhi taught, "Language is an
exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers.” Today, respect yourself and others be choosing
not to use any profanity or "put downs."
Day 27 – GENEROSITY (Feb. 25)
Mother Theresa said, "There is a
hidden poverty more pervasive than lack of money. It is the poverty of the heart." Find three ways to generously give of
your time, attention and resources to others.
Day 28 – LISTENING (Feb. 26)
Today, stop what you are doing and take
five minutes to listen to the feelings behind someone's words to you. Be fully present for the conversation and interested in what
the person is saying.
WEEK 5 (29-35)
In order to create a peaceful world, we must learn to
practice nonviolence with one another in our day-to-day interactions.
Day 29 – FORGIVENESS (Feb. 27)
When we forgive, we are free to let go
of the past and move on with our lives.
We do not condone the hurtful behavior but we realize that
there is something within us that is more powerful and important than this wounding experience. Today, write
a letter to forgive someone. You
do not have to mail it.
Day 30 – AMENDS (Feb. 28)
Make amends today. Apologize to someone you may have hurt
and mean your apology sincerely.
Day 31 – PRAISING (March 1)
Appreciation helps people to grow and
lets them know that they matter.
Offer praise to at least three people today for their personal
qualities, achievements, or helpful service.
Day 32 – PATIENCE (March 2)
According to Cesar Chavez,
"Nonviolence is not inaction…It is hard work…It is the patience to
win." When your plans seem delayed, choose to
be patient by identifying at least three ways that you can constructively use this time to support
your goal.
Day 33 – ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (March 3)
Tell someone today what a difference he
or she has made in your life.
Acknowledge that person for being there for you. Make this a day when you don't take
people for granted.
Day 34 – LOVE (March 4)
Gandhi wrote, "Nonviolence is
based on the assumption that human nature…. unfailingly responds to the advances of love." Today, focus on what you appreciate
most about the person you like the least.
Day 35 – UNDERSTANDING (March 5)
Thich Nhat Hanh says, "When you
understand, you cannot help but love…Practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of
compassion." Send a silent
thought of love to ten people today.
Share your experience with someone.
WEEK 6 (36-42)
To require others to change for us to be more peaceful does
violence to us both. By
choosing to be peaceful in relationship, we invite others to
nonviolence in return.
Day 36 – MINDFULNESS (March 6)
If we just act in each moment, with
composure and mindfulness, each minute of our life is a work of art. Be aware of the motivation behind your
action, the intention behind your words, and the needs and experiences of other people. By doing so, you are making life
beautiful for others.
Day 37 – GRACIOUSNESS (March 7)
When you are out driving today, slow
down, and let the other person in front of you. Stop and let pedestrians cross the street.
Day 38 – KINDNESS (March 8)
Everyday we hear of random and
senseless acts of violence.
Participate in the counter-revolution of kindness started by Anne Herbert. Perform three random acts of kindness
and senseless acts of beauty.
Day 39 – DIALOGUE (March 9)
Marianne Williamson describes a healthy
society as one in which "those who disagree can do so with honor and respect for other people's
opinions, and an appreciation for our shared humanity." In the Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, he says,
"Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others." Today, speak up but do not enter into the
spirit of argument.
Day 40 – UNITY (March 10)
Differences give variety to life and
are often only on the surface anyway.
Today, look for three ways to see beyond outer differences in
opinions, appearances, or goals.
Find the meeting point of underlyingunity that exists in diversity.
Day 41 – OPENNESS (March 11)
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.
Day 42 – ACCOUNTABILITY (March 12)
In conflicting situations, personal
accountability allows us to take responsibility for how we contribute to the conflict. Today, take responsibility for how you contribute to a
conflict and make a different choice that can lead to a peaceful resolution.
WEEK 7 (43-49)
Relationships based on nonviolence are built on the ability
to see and understand another human being, whether or not we agree. Seeing people from our
common ground gives us practice for bringing nonviolent actions, choices and
behaviors into our communal life.
Day 43 – UNIQUENESS (March 13)
Dale Carnegie says that the greatest
need people have is for love and approval. Praise, compliment, and honor the uniqueness of at least five
people today. Notice the positive
impact you make by valuing the individuality of each one.
Day 44 – COOPERATION (March 14)
When we work together, we are stronger
that when we work alone. Today,
find one significant way your can cooperate more effectively with the
people in your family or workplace, school or community. Do it.
Day 45—MASTERY (March 15)
Labor organizer Cesar Chavez teaches,
"If you use violence, you have to sell part of yourself for that violence. Then you are no longer a
master of your own struggle."
Breathe deeply, silently counting backwards from ten to calm yourself and
cool off before your speak or act with impatience or anger. Do this at least once today.
Day 46 – COMPASSION (March 16)
Mother Theresa implored us to
"find someone who thinks he is alone and let him know that he is
not." Today, do as Mother Theresa suggests.
Day 47 – DISARMAMENT (March 17)
Have a conversation with someone today
about what the world would be like if there were no weapons nor any need for them. Imagine such a world.
Day 48 – ECOLOGY (March 18)
Value the earth by conserving natural
resources and avoiding the purchase of products that deplete the rain forests or exploit labor
forces. Practice recycling today
by using at least one recycled product or by recycling something.
Day 49 – HONOR (March 19)
Albert Einstein said, "There are
only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything
is." Before each meal today,
stop and honor all the hands that brought it to you and to bless the earth for its
bounty.
WEEK 8 (50-56)
Nonviolence challenges us to stand for Truth by taking
action that honors the dignity and worth of every human being.
Day 50 – CHOICE (March 20)
Be aware today of any jokes or remarks
that show disrespect toward ethnic groups, women or men, classes of people, religious groups,
gays or lesbians. Be considerate
of every person's dignity and choose not to participate in disrespectful
conversation.
Day 51 – ADVOCACY (March 21)
"When someone stands up to
nonviolence," says 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." Today be an ally. Without blaming or judging
others, speak out for those who are disrespected.
Day 52 – EQUALITY (March 22)
Have you ever noticed the groups of
people who are under represented in your activities and lifestyle? Find one way to connect with a person
from these groups today.
Day 53 – ACTION (March 23)
"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. Today, find a
way to make one, small change that will contribute to the well-being of
your home, school, workplace or community.
Day 54 – GIVING (March 24)
Practice generosity by sharing time,
energy, and material resources with those in need. Clean out your closet, bureau drawers, or garage. Are there things you aren't using that
might be of value to someone else? Today, give away what you are no longer using.
Day 55 – RESPONSIBILITY (March 25)
The quality of your community starts
with you. Take responsibility for
the quality of your community wherever you are. Today, pick up trash that is not your
own, whether at home, at the office or on the street. Every little bit helps.
Day 56 – SELF-SUFFICIENCY (March 26)
People need the dignity of work and the
opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. Economic self-sufficiency is a
requirement for a nonviolent world.
Today, create a job for someone or help someone to find employment (for
example, help them with a resume or application, help them make phone calls, dress appropriately, or
practice interviewing).
WEEK 9 (57-63)
Nonviolence challenges us to stand for Truth by taking
action that honors the dignity andworth of every human being.
Day 57 – SERVICE (March 27)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said,
"Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul
generated by love." Sign up
to volunteer a minimum of two hours this month with an organization of your choice.
Day 58 – CITIZENSHIIP (March 28)
Robert Muller, former assistant
secretary general to the UN, urges, "use every letter you write, every conversation you have, every meeting
you attend, to express your most important beliefs and dreams.” Today call or write one of your
legislators and register your views.
Day 59 – INTERVENTION (March 29)
Alcohol and drug abuse is both a
consequence and a cause of violence.
Today have the courage to intervene in a caring way. Through your honest and straightforward
communication, encourage yourself and others to get educated, get help,
and get sober and free from drugs.
Day 60 – WITNESSING (March 30)
"We are each other's bond,"
writes poet Gwendolyn Brooks. Those who practice nonviolence cannot close their eyes to injustice or
cruelty. We are here to be a
witness for justice and compassion.
Today, be willing to stand up for Truth by your
presence, your words and actions.
Day 61 – PEACE (March 31)
Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, "Practice
watering seeds of joy and peace and not just seeds of anger and violence, and the elements of war in
all of us will be transformed."
Today, make a choice to meet each experience with an intention for peace.
Day 62 – COMMITMENT (April 1)
Spend five minutes reflecting on your
commitment to non- violence. Write
down what it means to you and what you are willing to do as a
consequence of your commitment to it. Make your commitment public by sharing it with at least 2
people.
Day 63 – RELEASE (April 2)
A Sufi proverb says, "When the
heart weeps for what it has lost, the spirit laughs for what it has
found." Today look at how far you have come
during this 64 day journey.
Release the weight of your past, judgments of yourself and others, and
the idea that world peace is not possible by acknowledging that you do make a difference.
WEEK 10
“Nonviolence should mean a complete freedom from ill-will,
anger and hate and an
overflowing love for all …. The nonviolence I teach is
active nonviolence of the strongest. But the weakest can partake in it without becoming weaker.”
– Mohandas K. Ghandi
Days 64 and 65 – CELEBRATION (April 3 and 4)
Today, rejoice in the work that you have done. Celebrate the
journey that you have made with countless others who believe that every individual can move the world in the
direction of peace with their nonviolent choice and action.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead.
