We
hope that readers of this page will find at least some of these ideas relevant
to their life. Some apply to family, some to the work place, and others
to the way we interact with our community or the world as a whole.
Please send us your quick tips for a peace filled path!
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It has been
said many times: There is no peace without justice.
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Justice
does not equal revenge.
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| We must be
the change we wish to see in the world. --Mahatma Ghandi
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You cannot
bomb the world into peace only into pieces.
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A useful finding
from psychological research: An anxious parent cannot calm an anxious
baby. (This fits with the Ghandi statement above.)
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Peace is
not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at
that goal. --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Peace in your daily life:
Here are some suggestions on how you can resolve conflicts peacefully in
your daily life:
1. Don’t jump to the assumption that you are being insulted.
a. Most of us are really not out there driving around
in our
cars looking to pick a fight.
If someone cuts you off consider
that it might have been an accident.
Perhaps you have made
at least one mistake while driving
yourself. If you make the
assumption that it was a mistake
before you assume it was
intentional you have taken your
first step toward a more
peaceful life.
b. Now apply this approach to the rest of your life.
- a forgotten invitation
- words spoken in the wrong tone of voice
- someone didn’t know the “right” thing to say or do
2. If you do feel insulted, tell the person how you feel.
a. You might be surprised that what you thought was insulting
wasn’t intended that way at all.
b. You may educate the person you are dealing with, helping
them to behave more peacefully in the future.
3. If you think that you may have insulted someone else, don’t
hesitate to apologize.
a. As embarrassing as admitting your own mistakes
may
be, quickly admitting a
mistake instantly diffuses a situation.
(There is research to back
this up!) It can turn an obstacle
into a very productive discussion.
b. Even if it has been years of miscommunication,
one apology
can lead to reconciliation.
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A Few Steps
Toward World Peace:
1. If you hear of injustice, don’t fret about it, take action.
a. Write about it.
b. Tell others about it.
c. Help if you can.
2. Promote international exchanges.
a. Talk to people from other places.
b. Find opportunities through school programs, Youth and Elderhostel,
or religious organizations to
have people from other
countries stay in your home.
3. Teach Your Children love and acceptance of all races,
cultures and creeds. This is more than tolerance,
this makes
the assumption that all humanity is worthwhile and that
we
must have compassion for others even if we don’t always
understand their point of view. Make an effort to
understand!
4. Don’t leave it up to others, international kindness begins
with your actions here at home. Get to know your
neighbors.
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