Generosity is a giving on what one had, whether it is time, money, knowledge, or love. When someone is able to give unconditionally, he is opening himself up to vulnerability. It is with this vulnerability that believe in the goodness of giving to others can truly make accomplishments happen.
The Dalai Lama hits the nail on the head with this quote. There is nothing more important than respect. When one learns to respect one's self, there is nothing that can not be done. When one respects others, there is nothing that can not be accomplished. When one takes responsibility for her actions, she is willing to learn from her mistakes and grow in her accomplishments.
Throughout my experiences in violence, respect was lacking not only by the perpetrator but by me, the victim. I did not have the knowledge and belief in myself to know that I deserved to be treated better. When one does not respect herself, she does not hold anyone else accountable for respecting her.
Whether someone is an introvert or an extrovert, a feeling of peace can be found with a personal friendship with another person. Friendliness is the start of the unknown for those who have not opened up to others. Starting with a smile, one can never know how much they can affect another person's life.
Focusing on nonviolence allows the harmonization of one's self and nature. Moving from the busy focus of our society brings an opportunity for a peace to be found within. Find your harmony and peace inside.
Prayer is believing that something good can happen. It also gathers these positive thoughts and allows the nonviolence of a situation to break through. In a society where we are torn different directions at the same time, prayer brings a focused thought on good things that can happen.
Much like yesterday's inspiration, mission is something that takes a look within. Many times, these two ideas go hand-in-hand as to know your mission was probably started by an inspiration.
The Season of Nonviolence is part of my education in educating the next generation and other community members on noa
The possibility of a different world where people treat each other as equals rather than separating themselves from each other that inspired me to create a Season of Nonviolence in Wichita.
Getting to know people who have practiced nonviolence in their lives is an inspiration also. Listening to their stories of strength and change allows others to start to see another way also.
Inspiration is different for everyone and one may be inspired by different things from one day to the next. Take today to inspire someone or feel inspired.
Much like day 19's theme of Acceptance, self forgiveness is important. Many of us have gone through experiences which have made us who we are but that we would never wish on another person. Sometimes, it is during these times in our life that we are only able to act in the way that we have known or in a way that is only as healthy as we are at that moment in time. Then, later in life, when we have adapted, become healthier and overcome, we are capable of changing our ways for the better. This is the time that we have to forgive ourselves for choices we made during the earlier times in our life when we were not healthy.
As healthy people, it is much easier to see clearly and make good choices that are nonviolent and help others to grow. When we are surrounded by violence with a feeling that we are not in control, we struggle to make those choices.
After I left my abusive marriage, I ended up in another abusive relationship. While I had healed enough to deal with the overt violence that my children and I experienced, I had not come to terms with the violence that was on an emotional level. Once I had worked through everything and discovered the pain that my children and I were in, I was able to make the choice to remove us from that situation also. Since then, I have never looked back. My children and I deserve healthy, whole relationships which can fill our lives. Relationships that tear people down are not good for any of the parties involved. While I understand it will take time for my son's to forgive me, I have learned to forgive myself for the pain and trauma inflicted on them. While I wish I could change my choices in the past, I know that dwelling on it does no good for anyone. Self forgiveness is an important step in healing and finding another way.
This is one that many of us need to work on. It seems in today's society that we are always taught that things should be better, could be better, and that we are never good enough.
We need to begin accepting who we are, working on our strengths not arguing about our weaknesses. When we all work to our strengths, we find ways to share what we are good at. When we do what we are good at, we enjoy it more. When we enjoy what we do, it is much easier to accept the things that we are not in control of.
Take today to accept yourself for all that you are. Peace and blessings.
Gandhi's quote here is more true than most of us appreciate. The ability to make mistakes and learn from them, is what can move us along and help us to make change where it is needed. If we were unable to make mistakes without persecution, no one would be willing to try. The freedom to try new and different things without a threat of punishment enables us to make the world a better place.
Natalie was raised in an upper-middle class family in a suburb where many would have believed she had it all. It wasn't until she was an adult when she came to terms with how far from the truth that was. Through her healing and meeting others, she found a new way of thinking. A new way of realizing that life can be better. It's through this education and these relationships that she has found a passion to bring change to the world.