No matter what season of the year, outer and inner peace is very important to each of us.
Louise Diamond reminds us that, “The search for inner peace is the search for our natural self” which is deep within each of us. It is a “place where we are wise, joyful, vibrantly alive—we are who we are meant to be, whole and holy, at peace, in peace, radiating peace.”
Throughout Louise’ book she suggests different ways of approaching peace making with ourselves and others. So I thought I would introduce you to a list of principles that might help this Lent be a season of peacemaking for you.
A Season of Peacemaking - 40 Days and 40 Ways
1 -- Today, I will reflect on what peace means to me.
2 -- Today, I will look at opportunities to be a peacemaker.
3 -- Today, I will practice nonviolence and respect for Mother Earth by making good use of her resources.
4 -- Today, I will take time to admire and appreciate nature.
5 -- Today, I will plant seeds--plants or constructive ideas.
6 -- Today, I will hold a vision of plenty for all the world's hungry and be open to guidance as to how I can help alleviate some of that hunger.
7 -- Today, I will acknowledge every human being's fundamental right to justice, equity, and equality.
8 -- Today, I will appreciate the earth's bounty and all of those who work to make my food available (i.e., grower, trucker, grocery clerk, cook, waitress, etc.)
9 -- Today, I will work to understand and respect another culture.
10 -- Today, I will oppose injustice, not people.
11 -- Today, I will look beyond stereotypes and prejudices. I will enlarge my capacity to embrace differences and appreciate the value of every human being.
12 -- Today, I will choose to be aware of what I talk about and I will refuse to gossip.
13 -- Today, I will live in the present moment and release the past.
14 -- Today, I will silently acknowledge all the leaders throughout the world.
15 -- Today, I will speak with kindness, respect, and patience to every person with whom I talk on the telephone.
16 -- Today, I will affirm my value and worth with positive "self talk" and refuse to put myself down.
17 -- Today, I will tell the truth and speak honestly from the heart.
18 -- Today, I will cause a ripple effect of good by an act of kindness toward another.
19 -- Today, I will choose to use my talents to serve others by volunteering a portion of my time.
20 -- Today, I will say a blessing for greater understanding whenever I see evidence of crime, vandalism, or graffiti.
21 -- Today, I will turn off anything that portrays or supports violence whether on television, in the movies, or on the Internet.
22 -- Today, I will greet this day--everyone and everything--with openness and acceptance as if I were encountering them for the first time.
23 -- Today, I will drive with tolerance and patience.
24 -- Today, I will constructively channel my anger, frustration, or jealousy into healthy physical activities (i.e., doing sit-ups, picking up trash, taking a walk, etc).
25 -- Today, I will take time to appreciate the people who provide me with challenges in my life, especially those who make me angry or frustrated.
26 -- Today, I will talk less and listen more.
27 -- Today, I will notice the peacefulness in the world around me.
28 -- Today, I will recognize that my actions directly affect others.
29 -- Today, I will take time to tell a family member or friend how much they mean to me.
30 -- Today, I will acknowledge and thank someone for acting kindly.
31 -- Today, I will send a kind, anonymous message to someone.
32 -- Today, I will identify something special in everyone I meet.
33 -- Today, I will discuss ideas about nonviolence with a friend to gain new perspectives.
34 -- Today, I will practice praise rather than criticism.
35 -- Today, I will strive to learn from my mistakes.
36 -- Today, I will hold children tenderly in thought and/or action.
37 -- Today, I will listen without defending and speak without judgment.
38 -- Today, I will help someone in trouble.
39 -- Today, I will treat the elderly I encounter with respect and dignity.
40 -- Today, I will see my so-workers in a new light--with understanding andcompassion.
Some alternatives you also might find appropriate to consider.
41 -- Today, I will think of at least three alternate ways I can handle a situation when confronted with conflict.
42 -- Today, I will work to help others resolve differences.
43 -- Today, I will express my feeling honestly and nonviolently with respect for myself and others.
44 -- Today, I will sit down with my family for one meal.
45 -- Today, I will use no violent language.
46 -- Today, I will hold no one hostage to the past, seeing each-as I see myself-as a work in process.
47 -- Today, I will make a conscious effort to smile at someone whom I have held a grudge against in the past.
48 -- Today, I will practice compassion and forgiveness by apologizing to someone whom I have hurt in the past.
49 -- Today, I will reflect on whom I need to forgive and take at least one step in that direction.
50 -- Today, I will forgive myself
