Dear Friend,

The Season for Nonviolence marks the 64 days between

the anniversaries of the deaths of Mohandas Gandhi on
January 30 and Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4. Cesar
Chavez‘s birthday also falls within the Season on March 31.

The Season for Nonviolence was co-founded by Arun and

Sunanda Gandhi and the Leadership Council of The Asso-
ciation for Global New Thought (AGNT) in 1998.

We learn to practice nonviolence one step at a time, one

choice at a time, one day at a time. Through our daily
nonviolent choices and action, our noble and courageous
spirits rise to move the world in the direction of peace.

Wherever you are in your journey, we hope this booklet

will support your growth and encourage you, reminding
you that you are part of a worldwide community working
for nonviolence and peace.
 929 South Plymouth Avenue
Rochester, New York 14608

2021 content and design revision by Bianca Pointner and

Gwen Olton for the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence.

First printing: January 2013

This booklet was inspired by AGNT’s
“64 Ways to Practice Nonviolence” guide.

More about AGNT can be found on their website: www.agnt.org

 JAN 31 DAY 1

COURAGE
Today, if you are able, light a match and accept the courage to
practice 64 ways of living nonviolently. If no matches are avai-
lable to you, picture a flame with your imagination. This flame
represents the beginning of a new season: of reflection, growth,
and practicing nonviolence.

You must do the things you think you cannot do.

— Eleanor Roosevelt

THINK ABOUT IT

What is the most recent act of courage that you witnessed? What
is something you did that took courage?

TAKE ACTION

What is a change you want to see happen in your community? How

will it take courage? Take the first small step today.
 FEB 1 DAY 2

SMILING
Today, smile with at least three people, knowing that your smile
contributes peace.

... we can bregin the process of making community wherever we

are. We can begin by sharing a smile, a warm greeting,...
— bell hooks

THINK ABOUT IT

What keeps you from smiling at others? Notice who you do and
don‘t smile at for a day.

TAKE ACTION

Identify a person to whom you would normally not smile. What gets
in the way of a smile? What might happen if you smile at them, ei-
ther good or bad? Experiment several times, then write or draw ab-
out your experience.
 FEB 2 DAY 3

GRATITUDE
Begin the day by listing five things for which you are grateful.
End the day by sharing with one person all of the good things in
your awareness that happened during the day.

Gratitude is liberating. It is subversive. It helps us realize that we

are sufficient and that realization frees us.
— Joanna Macy

THINK ABOUT IT
How can gratitude lead to more liberation? What might happen If we
increase our gratitude?

TAKE ACTION

Write a thank you letter to someone from the past who contributed
to your well-being in some way.
 FEB 3 DAY 4

CARING
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,
your community. Practice at least one from each list today.

Are you actively practicing generosity and vulnerability in order

to make the connections between you and others clear, open,
available, durable?
— adrienne marie brown

THINK ABOUT IT
In what ways do you care for the relationships in your life?

TAKE ACTION

Write about three areas in your life in which you could take better
care of yourself and an area where you could take better care of
your community. Make a commitment to take care of yourself bet-
ter in those three areas. What has not caring for yourself in certain
areas cost you and your community? What support do you need to
make a change? Create a tracking sheet.
 FEB 4 DAY 5

BELIEVING
Today, believe that you have all the resources to move your life
in the direction of peace. Be aware of the simple, peaceful res-
ponses you receive.

It‘s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that
belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.
— Muhammad Ali

THINK ABOUT IT
What are some limiting or empowering beliefs you have about your-
self and about the way the world works?

TAKE ACTION

List the beliefs you carry that impact your life. Did you learn them
from your family, friends, culture or religion? Which beliefs have kept
you from making positive changes? Which beliefs help you propel
you to aciton?
 FEB 5 DAY 6

SIMPLICITY
“Live simply so that others may simply live.”
When Mohandas K. Gandhi retired his three-piece suit to wear
a simple piece of cloth, he was demonstrating the principle of
this statement in action.

Live simply so that others may simply live.

— M.K Gandhi

THINK ABOUT IT
How does not living simply negatively impact others?

TAKE ACTION

What are some areas of your life you could simplify for the benefit
of all? Today choose one area to simplify.
 FEB 6 DAY 7

EDUCATION
Knowledge strengthens your convictions and deepens your
wisdom and understanding. Read an article, periodical, or book
on a subject that relates to nonviolence.

Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change
the world.
— Nelson Mandela

THINK ABOUT IT
What is something positive that you have learned that has really
made a difference? How can you share it with others or apply it to
benefit others?

TAKE ACTION

Share or put into practice something you have learned that could
benefit others.
 FEB 7 DAY 8

HEALING
Today, choose a painful incident in your life and find the “gift” it
is “giving you.” Consciously share this gift with others.

Every time a seed has an occasion to manifest itself, it produces

new seeds of the same kind.
— Thich Nhat Hanh

THINK ABOUT IT
What can get in the way of healing?

Choose a recent painful experience or event. Write your answers

to these questions: How did it affect you? Who else was affected?
What needs to happen to set things right? Take the first small step
you can to help set things right.
 FEB 8 DAY 9

DREAMING
Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream. What is your own dream for
peace? What is one thing you can do to honor your dream? Do
it today.

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you

have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to re-
ach for the stars to change the world.
— Harriet Tubman

THINK ABOUT IT
It is said that a goal is a dream with a deadline attached. Do you
agree?

TAKE ACTION

Describe your vision for a world that is truly just and peaceful. What
is one thing you can do every day to honor your dream? Do it!
 FEB 9 DAY 10

FAITH
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 a way.

Faith is permanent, happiness and unhappiness are fleeting things.

— M.K. Gandhi

THINK ABOUT IT
In what ways do you have faith in yourself? In what other ways do
you have faith?

TAKE ACTION

Write a 2-3 paragraphs about a time in your life when your faith
made a positive difference.
 FEB 10 DAY 11

CONTEMPLATION
For at least three minutes, relax, breathe and let your mind be
fed by “whatsoever is good and beautiful.”

The [one] who sat on the ground in [their] tipi meditating on life and
its meaning, accepting the kinship of all creatures and acknowled-
ging unity with the universe of things was infusing into [their] being
the true essence of civilization.
— Chief Luther Standing Bear

THINK ABOUT IT
How can contemplation help you to choose nonviolence the next
time you are in a conflict?

TAKE ACTION

Practice meditation by sitting comfortably and counting your exha-

le. When you notice a thought, gently label it “thinking” and return
to counting your out-breaths. Today try this for several minutes or
longer to challenge yourself. Take note of how you feel before and
after you sit.
 FEB 11 DAY 12

DISCIPLINE
The only true and lasting discipline is self-discipline. Today,
make time for coming into alignment with your full potential.

I am convinced that even violent temperaments can be channeled

through nonviolent discipline, If they can act constructively and
express through an effective channel their very legitimate anger.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

THINK ABOUT IT
In what areas of your life are you most disciplined? In what ways
does nonviolence require discipline?

TAKE ACTION

Make an agreement with yourself during the Season for Nonviolen-

ce. What will you put in place to improve your nonviolent self-disci-
pline?
 FEB 12 DAY 13

CREATIVITY
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 every day. Today, allow something un-
predictable and joyous to be expressed through you.

The first [one] to raise [their] fist is the [one] who has run out of
ideas.
— H.G. Wells

THINK ABOUT IT
How does nonviolence take creativity?

TAKE ACTION

Research a nonviolent acts that you find to be creative. Brainstorm

& write about a creative nonviolent act you can imagine using for a
local issue.
 FEB 13 DAY 14

HUMILITY
Making mistakes is part of learning and growing. Today, freely
acknowledge at least one mistake you have made and reflect
for a couple of minutes on what you have learned.

I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow

mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my
errors and to retrace my steps.
— M.K Gandhi

THINK ABOUT IT
What role might humility play in our causes for justice and building
beloved community?

TAKE ACTION

Make a list of 2-3 ways you could practice humility for the causes
you work on. Practice at least one of them today.
 FEB 14 DAY 15

REVERANCE
Today, immerse yourself in the sensation of an activity such as
going for a walk, drinking a hot cup of tea, or looking around you.
What do you notice as you slow down with this activity?

Be a good ancestor. Stand for something bigger than yourself. Add

value to the Earth during your sojourn.
— Marian Wright Edelman

THINK ABOUT IT
What does being a good ancestor mean to you?

TAKE ACTION

Write a letter to someone who is not yet born. What wisdom would
you share? What do you hope for their life?
 FEB 15 DAY 16

LEADERSHIP
Nonviolent leadership expresses integrity, courage, wisdom
and vision that is meant for the highest good of all concerned.

Time is neutral and does not change things. With courage and ini-
tiative, leaders change things.
— Jessie Jackson

THINK ABOUT IT
Must a person be a “born leader?” How has your idea of good lea-
dership changed throughout your life?

TAKE ACTION

Choose a place in your life where you can set an example of integri-
ty, courage, or wisdom. Do it and write down the results.
 FEB 16 DAY 17

INTEGRITY
“Do the right thing.” Film director 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.

The time is always right to do what is right.

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

THINK ABOUT IT
How is integrity different from honesty? When is a time when you
showed integrity, even when it was hard?

TAKE ACTION

Make a list of 3-5 actions you could take that would increase your
sense of integrity. Do at least on of them today!
 FEB 17 DAY 18

FREEDOM
Civil rights activist Diane Nash said, “Freedom, by definition, is
people realizing that they are their own leaders.”

The law will never make people free; it is people who must make the
law free.
— Henry David Thoreau

THINK ABOUT IT
What does it mean to be free? List things you would like your com-
munity to be free to do and what you would like your community to
be free from.

TAKE ACTION

What is one small step you can take to increase “freedom to” do
something or “freedom from” something for you and your commu-
nity? See if you can take that step today.
 FEB 18 DAY 19

ACCEPTANCE
Today, choose not to judge yourself (your looks, your capabili-
ties, your quality of life). See yourself as unique, lovable, capable
and intelligent!

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the

courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the
difference.
— Reinhold Niebuhr

THINK ABOUT IT
How can you have acceptance for yourself and ask for change when
needed?

TAKE ACTION

Write down one thing about yourself that you struggle to accept.
Imagine hugging this part of yourself, as if it were a small child. Get
in touch with any pain or shame you feel and imagine sending love
to this part of yourself.
 FEB 19 DAY 20

SELF-FORGIVENESS
When you judge yourself, you tend to believe that who you are
is what you have done or not done, 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.

We go on. Because it is the hard thing to do. And we owe ourselves

the difficulty.
— Nikki Giovanni

THINK ABOUT IT
What are some thoughts and feelings that get in the way of self-for-
giveness? How has not forgiving yourself kept you from moving for-
ward?

TAKE ACTION

Identify an area of your life or an action you took that requires

self-forgiveness. Describe how you feel about it. Then develop your
own set of steps to self-forgiveness. Take the first step.
 FEB 20 DAY 21

INSPIRATION
Think of at least two people who exemplify the practice of non-
violence. What do you admire about them?

The more you sense the rareness and value of your own life, the
more you realize that how you use it, how you manifest it, is all
your responsibility. We face such a big task, so naturally we sit
down for a while.
— Kobun Chino Otogawa Roshi

THINK ABOUT IT
Is inspiration a function of the head or the heart?

TAKE ACTION

Identify inspirational people you know who stand for nonviolence.

What other qualities do they exemplify? Practice these behaviors
today so that other people may be inspired.
 FEB 21 DAY 22

MISSION
Write down what you want to stand for in your life. Note at least
one way you can show that you stand for your beliefs.

Determine that the thing can be done, and then we shall find the
way.
— Abraham Lincoln

THINK ABOUT IT
What is the difference between a mission and a goal?

TAKE ACTION

Choose an activity that would make your community a better pla-

ce, and would symbolize a commitment to those within it. Plan a
few steps of this activity & take the first one.
 FEB 22 DAY 23

PRAYER
“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.

The times are urgent - we must slow down.

— Bayo Akomolafe

THINK ABOUT IT
What could be the purpose or use of prayer outside of a particular
religion?

TAKE ACTION

Write your own private prayer, mantra, or short wish for peace.
 FEB 23 DAY 24

HARMONY
Today, choose to see the good in yourself and others rather
than finding fault.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do
are in harmony.
— M.K Gandhi

THINK ABOUT IT
How do you know when things are in harmony?

TAKE ACTION

Decide on three areas in your life that could be more harmonious.

What steps are you willing to take to be an agent of more harmoni-
ous interactions in those areas?
 FEB 24 DAY 25

FRIENDLINESS
Strangers are friends we haven’t met. View those you encoun-
ter today in that light. Make a new acquaintance.

Be genuinely interested in everyone you meet and everyone you

meet will be genuinely interested in you.
— Rasheed Ogunlaru

THINK ABOUT IT
What does friendliness mean to you? What aspects of friendliness
do you want to grow in your life?

TAKE ACTION

Make a list of 3 acts of kindness you could do today that would be a

gesture of friendship towards someone you dislike. Do one of them.
 FEB 25 DAY 26

RESPECT
Gandhi taught, “Language is an exact reflection of the character
and growth of its speakers.” Today, respect yourself and others
by choosing not to use insults.

Nonviolence is absolute respect for each human being.

— Adolfo Perez Esquivel

THINK ABOUT IT
What happens when you choose to respect someone who does not
respect you?

TAKE ACTION

What are your ideas for bringing more respect into some of your
relationships? Write down some ideas and make a plan to practice
one of them.
 FEB 26 DAY 27

GENEROSITY
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what
we give,” said Winston Churchill. Today, claim your power to
transform the world by giving, especially to those who you may
judge don’t deserve a gift.

That’s what I consider true generosity: you give your all and yet
you always feel as if it costs you nothing.
— Simone de Beauvoir

THINK ABOUT IT
What is the most meaningful gift you’ve received, material or
non-material?

TAKE ACTION

What do you share and give that feels really good and energizing to
give? How can you share this gift with the world? Write down seve-
ral ideas and try one today.
 FEB 27 DAY 28

LISTENING
Stop what you are doing and take five minutes to listen to the
feelings behind someone’s words to you.

An enemy is one whose story we have not heard.

— Gene Knudsen Hoffman

THINK ABOUT IT
How can you give the gift of listening to those around you? How
does it feel to listen without interrupting, without giving advice, and
without changing the story to your own life?

TAKE ACTION

In your next conversation, try actively listening: give the person

space to talk without changing the subject, summarize what you
hear, and try to understand the essence of what is said. How do
they respond? How does it feel for you?
 FEB 28 DAY 29

FORGIVENESS
Today, write a letter to forgive someone. You do not have to
mail it.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who

is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

THINK ABOUT IT
What do you think about this quote from King? How might you de-
velop your capacity to forgive?

TAKE ACTION

Talk to someone today about a time when you have forgiven so-
meone. Ask them about a time they have forgiven someone as well.
 MAR 1 DAY 30

AMENDS
Amends are reparation or compensation for injury. Make
amends today. Apologize to someone you may have hurt, and
think of something else you can do to set things right.

Taking responsibilty means engaging critically with your actions,

not delegating all of the thinking to someone else.
— Kai Cheng Thom

THINK ABOUT IT
What must you relinquish to make amends?

TAKE ACTION

What is something you have done or participated in that you could

make amends for? Take the first step in making amends.
 MAR 2 DAY 31

CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Conflict is a natural part of being in relationships and commu-
nity. As we have different experiences and perspectives, we’ll
disagree with one another. Today view conflict as something
that can stimulate creativity, development, and cooperation.
Look for a win-win solution while actively listening and spea-
king openly.

On some level it all comes down to Feeling Better versus Getting

Better...the only way to truly get better is to face and deal with
each other, sit down and communicate.
— Sarah Schulman

THINK ABOUT IT
What did you learn about conflict growing up? How has what you
were tought impacted how you handle conflict today?

TAKE ACTION

Write about a conflict you were recently in. What would a win-win
solution be? If the conflict is unresolved, approach the other person
with your idea with sincerity and care.
 MAR 3 DAY 32

PATIENCE
When your plans seem delayed, choose to be patient by iden-
tifying at least three ways that you can constructively use this
time to support your goal.

Patience is not learned in safety.

— Pema Chödrön

THINK ABOUT IT
What do you think is meant by the quote above? What is your expe-
rience with patience and impatience?

TAKE ACTION

Talk with someone about an area of your life in which you want to
increase patience.
 MAR 4 DAY 33

APPRECIATION
Louise Hay says, “Praise yourself (and others) as much as you
can. The love in our lives begins with us. Loving yourself will help
heal this planet.”

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.
— Maya Angelou

THINK ABOUT IT
What is the one thing that you appreciate most in your life today?

TAKE ACTION

Write down five things you appreciate about yourself, your so-cal-
led enemies, your work or classes, your community, or other things
you may take for granted. Share at least one of these with someone
else.
 MAR 5 DAY 34

LOVE
Send a silent thought of love to 10 people today. Share your ex-
perience with someone.

Human souls are irresistable. When we truly see another human

soul, we can‘t help but fall in love.
— Miki Kashtan

THINK ABOUT IT
John Lewis talked of nonviolence as “love in action”, what do you
make of this idea?

TAKE ACTION

What nonviolent action would demonstrate your “love in action”?

Write down 5 ideas and try one of them today.
 MAR 6 DAY 35

UNDERSTANDING
Today, focus on what you appreciate most about the person
you like the least.

Proximity leads to understanding.

— Sharon Salzberg

THINK ABOUT IT
Have you distanced yourself from those you don‘t agree with or
enjoy?

TAKE ACTION

What is a strategy you find useful when trying to understand so-

mething difficult? Today try this strategy to understand something
you don‘t like.
 MAR 7 DAY 36

MINDFULNESS
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 more beautiful for your-
self and others.

... when you are mindful, you are fully alive. You are fully present. You
can get in touch with the wonders of life that can nourish and heal
you.
— Thich Nhat Hanh

THINK ABOUT IT
How might mindfulness impact the work we do for love, peace, and
justice?

TAKE ACTION

Go on a silent walk. Pay attention to your surroundings, with all of

your seses. Write a paragraph or poem while the sensations and
images are still fresh.
 MAR 8 DAY 37

GRACIOUSNESS
Give others the right of way, stop and let others pass, hold a
door or offer someone a helping hand.

There is hardly a more gracious gift we can offer somebody than

to accept them fully...
— Elizabeth Gilbert

THINK ABOUT IT
What are some simple acts of graciousness that you have witnes-
sed or experienced in the last few weeks?

TAKE ACTION

Find at least one opportunity to be gracious today. Write about the

opportunity at the end of the day. What insights did you have?
 MAR 9 DAY 38

KINDNESS
Kindness is love and care for others in action. It is not limited to
those we know, it has the power to transform someone’s mo-
ment, day, or life.

My religion is simple, my religion is kindness.

— His Holiness, the Dalai Llama

THINK ABOUT IT
What is the place of kindness in our nonviolent work and struggles?

TAKE ACTION

Today pracitce an act of kindness, however small to: a loved one, a

stranger, and someone you don‘t enjoy.
 MAR 10 DAY 39

DIALOGUE
Today, speak up but do not enter into the spirit of argument.

Dialogue is a conversation between equals, whose destination is

unknown.
— Martin Buber

THINK ABOUT IT
What is the difference between debate and dialogue?

TAKE ACTION

Find someone who holds a belief different than your own. Ask them
to explain why this is important to them. Look for similarities in why
you believe what you do.
 MAR 11 DAY 40

UNITY
Today, look for three ways to see beyond outer differences in
opinions, appearances or goals. Find the meeting point of un-
derlying unity that exists in diversity.

Unity, to be real, must stand the severest strain without breaking.

— Gandhi

THINK ABOUT IT
What does it take to be in unity with others? Does it necessitate
agreement?

TAKE ACTION

Write a paragraph or more about your responses to the above ques-

tions.
 MAR 12 DAY 41

OPENNESS
Today, be open to understanding ideas and people that you
have previously excluded.

Honesty and openness is always the foundation of insightful

dialogue.
— bell hooks

THINK ABOUT IT
How do you balance openness and staying safe in new situations?

TAKE ACTION

Go beyond your comfort zone and introduce yourself to someone

to whom you have never spoken. What happened?
 MAR 13 DAY 42

ACCOUNTABILITY
How can you be accountable without accepting blame? What
is the difference?

It is not only what we do, but what we do not do, for which we are
accountable.
— Moliere

THINK ABOUT IT
How does accountability differ from punishment?

TAKE ACTION

What can you take accountability for that doesn’t involve punish-
ment? Write down some ideas and try one today.
 MAR 14 DAY 43

UNIQUENESS
Today, let the music of who you are play. Look for the unique
qualities and talents of those around you that you may take for
granted.

We are all members of a great human orchestra and it is now

time to play the Save the World Symphony. You do not have to
play a solo but you have to know what instrument you hold and
find your place in the score.
— Sandra Steingraber

THINK ABOUT IT
How are you unique? What gifts, strengths, and talents do you have
that can ge of benefit or service to others?

TAKE ACTION

Write about how you can employ your gifts in a new or different way
to benefit the community for the causes of peace and justice.
 MAR 15 DAY 44

COOPERATION
Today, find one significant way that you can cooperate more
effectively with the people in your household or community.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with
your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
— Nelson Mandela

THINK ABOUT IT
What were you taught growing up about cooperation? How did this
interact with whate you were taught about competition?

TAKE ACTION

Think about a time where you could have collaborated better. Then
describe how you would do things differently if you had a “do-over”.
 MAR 16 DAY 45

MASTERY
Breathe in through the nose slowly and deeply, into the belly.
Breathe out through the nose, even more slowly, emptying the
body of air. Do this ~5 times.

One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of

oneself.
— Leonardo de Vinci

THINK ABOUT IT
What does it mean “to master something?” What are areas of your
life do you feel a sense of mastery?

TAKE ACTION

Master the feeling--Use the breathing practice above everytime

you feel agtitation or a negative escalation today. Notice how you
feel afterwards.
 MAR 17 DAY 46

COMPASSION
Mother Teresa implored us to “find someone who thinks he is
alone and let him know that he is not.” Today, do as Mother Te-
resa suggests.

We live in a time when science is validating what humans have

known throughout the ages: that compassion is not a luxury; it is a
necessity for our well-being, resilience, and survival.
— Roshi Joan Halifax

THINK ABOUT IT
Can you be compassionate and angry, hurt, and upset at the same
time?

TAKE ACTION

Write down the names of people or groups for whom it is easy for
you to care about immensely, feel neutral about, and actively dislike
or feel contempt for. How might you demonstrate compassion for
each? What can you try today?
 MAR 18 DAY 47

DISARMAMENT
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.

Inner disarmament, external disarmament; these must go toge-

ther, you see. Peace is not just the mere abscence of violence - ge-
nuine peace must start in each individual heart.
— Dalai Lama

THINK ABOUT IT
Why is disarmament a part of nonviolence? What are ways in which
you arm yourself?

TAKE ACTION

What would it take to begin the process of your own disarmament?

Take one step towards disarmament today.
 MAR 19 DAY 48

ECOLOGY
Practice recycling today by using at least one recycled product
or by recycling a product. Waste is stuff we haven’t found a pur-
pose for yet.

We have always been told that when we make decisions that we

have to look to seven generations and see how those decisions will
affect those people
— Sidney Hill, Tadodaho

THINK ABOUT IT
How are the causes of environmental justice, social justice and non-
violence connected?

TAKE ACTION

Imagine you are planning the world for someone seven generations
from now. What do you hope for them? What can you do today to
enact that world?
 MAR 20 DAY 49

HONOR
Before each meal today, stop to honor all the hands that brought
it to you and to bless the earth for its bounty. Even if the food is
not very good, be thankful that it provides nourishment.

It is important to remember that while honor is an entitlement to

respect ... a person of honor cares first of all not about being re-
spected but about being worthy of respect.
— Kwame Anthony Appiah

THINK ABOUT IT
How do you honor yourself?

TAKE ACTION

Make a list of honorable traits and people in history or in your family

who carry these traits. Today, practice on of these traits that do-
esn‘t come as naturally to you.
 MAR 21 DAY 50

CHOICE
Be considerate of every person’s dignity, and choose not to par-
ticipate in disrespectful conversation.

What people have the capacity to choose, they have the ability
to change.
— Madeleine Albright

THINK ABOUT IT
What does it take to make choices that may not coincide with tho-
se around you?

TAKE ACTION

“We always have a choice.” What comes up in you when you hear
this? Are there things we always have choice over? Write down
some of your thoughts.
 MAR 22 DAY 51

ADVOCACY
Today be an ally. Without blaming or judging others, speak out
for those who are disrespected.

I saw within my own actions a chance to be either a part of the pro-

blem or a part of the solution.
— Paulo Freire

THINK ABOUT IT
Who are your advocates? How do you advocate for others?

TAKE ACTION

Recount a time when someone came forward and changed an out-

come on your behalf. List some ways you come forward for others.
Try one today.
 MAR 23 DAY 52

EQUITY
Find one way to connect with a person from another group today.

A right delayed is a right denied.

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

THINK ABOUT IT
What is the difference between equality and equity?

TAKE ACTION

Who is missing from your immediate community? With whom

don’t you come into contact? Think about the differences between
tolerance, acceptance, inclusivity and equity. Write down your
thoughts.
 MAR 24 DAY 53

ACTION
Today, find a way to make one small change that will contribute
to the well-being of your community.

Nobody made a greater mistake than he or she who did nothing be-
cause he could only do a little.
— Edmund Burke

THINK ABOUT IT
What is the meaning of the statement “actions speak louder than
words?” Is it true?

TAKE ACTION

Journaling: Make a list of what you believe in; make a commitment

to take action on one thing in which you believe.
 MAR 25 DAY 54

GIVING
Today give away one thing you are no longer using.

The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the

giving of oneself to others that we truly live.
— Ethel Percy Andrus

THINK ABOUT IT
What makes giving more challenging? What makes giving easier?

TAKE ACTION

What can you give other than material possessions? What else can
you share? Make a list. Give at least one of these gifts today.
 MAR 26 DAY 55

RESPONSIBILITY
Today, pick up trash that is not your own, whether in your com-
munity or somewhere else. Every little bit helps.

In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our deci-

sions on the next seven generations.
— The Great Law of the Haudenosaunee

THINK ABOUT IT
Is taking responsibility empowering? How or in what ways? What
were you tought about responsibility growing up?

TAKE ACTION

What is something you could take more responsibility for in your

community and world? What will you do today to demonstrate this
responsiblity.
 MAR 27 DAY 56

SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Freedom can come from taking responsibility for our lives and
how we interpret events. Instead of viewing ourselves as com-
pletely powerless, we can recognize that we can choose how
to understand our situation and respond to it, even when life
is hard.

The final forming of a person‘s character lies in their own hands.

— Anne Frank

THINK ABOUT IT
How might asking for support or help be a part of self-sufficiency?

TAKE ACTION

Choose one area of your life for which to take more responsibility.
For example: your health, your language, your spiritual life, your per-
ception, your attitude. Today, do one concrete thing towards that
goal.
 MAR 28 DAY 57

SERVICE
Today, sign up to do something “extra.” Share your commitment
with at least one person.

Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t

have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your
subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace.
A soul generated by love.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

THINK ABOUT IT
How are you of service to yourself, your family, those around you?

TAKE ACTION

Where can you be of service today? Choose one thing you will ac-
complish and write about how it felt to be of service.
 MAR 29 DAY 58

CITIZENSHIP
Today write one of your legislators and register your views.

I have said that the Declaration of Independence is the ringbolt to

the chain of your nation’s destiny; so indeed, I regard it. The prin-
ciples contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand
by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places,
against all foes, and at whatever cost..
— Frederick Douglas

THINK ABOUT IT
What does it mean to be a citizen of this country? Of this earth?

TAKE ACTION

Express your citizenship today by writing a letter or email to a mem-

ber of the Congress, or a member of the State Assembly, on somet-
hing you feel concerned about.
 MAR 30 DAY 59

INTERVENTION
Today, have the courage to intervene in a caring way with so-
meone whose behavior is destructive. Through your honest,
direct, and loving communication, encourage them to make
positive changes.

As citizens, we all have an obligation to intervene—it’s the citizen

who changes things.
— Jose Saramago

THINK ABOUT IT
What is an intervention? How does it work?

TAKE ACTION

What are creative interventions to violence and aggression that you

have witnessed or heard about? Look for opportunities to creative-
ly intervene today.
 MAR 31 DAY 60

WITNESSING
Today be willing to stand up for truth by your presence, your
words and your actions.

Peacemaking is the functioning of bearing witness. Once we listen

with our entire body and mind, loving action arises.
— Bernie Glassman

THINK ABOUT IT
How can you bring your full presence to situations that are challen-
ging or unjust?

TAKE ACTION

Usually we connect the idea of a witness to a tragedy or a crime.

However, we can be a witness to wonderful events as well. Think of
a time when you witnessed an unexpected, wonderful event. Report
what you saw with all of the details as though you are a journalist.
 APRIL 1 DAY 61

PEACE
Today, make a choice to meet each experience with an inten-
tion for peace.

Once peace is made within, one will have gained sufficient strength
and power to use it in the struggle of life, both within and without.
— Hazrat Inayat Khan

THINK ABOUT IT
Is peace possible? What does peace look like in a relationship? In the
world?

TAKE ACTION

MLK described negative peace (absence of tension) and positive

peace (presence of justice). Write about where in your life you wit-
ness negative peace. How can you work to transform it to positive
peace?
 APRIL 2 DAY 62

COMMITMENT
Spend five minutes reflecting on your commitment to nonvio-
lence. Write down what it means to you to be committed to
nonviolence and what you are willing to do as a demonstration
of your commitment.

Nonviolence is an absolute commitment to the way of love.

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

THINK ABOUT IT
What do you make of King‘s quote?

TAKE ACTION

Write about a commitment you are making to nonviolence and how

you will evaluate your progress.
 APRIL 3 DAY 63

RELEASE
Today, reflect on what you would need to release in order to
grow your nonviolence practice.

Am I willing to give up what I have in order to be what I am not yet?

Am I willing to let my ideas of myself, of humanity, be changed? Am
I able to follow the spirit of love into the desert, to empty myself
even of my concept of emptiness?
— M.C. Richards

THINK ABOUT IT

What do you need to release in order to be the person you want to be?

TAKE ACTION

Do a drawing that includes words and phrases of old judgments and

ideas that you are ready to release. What are you ready to embrace
in their place? Shout it out or talk about with a friend!
 APRIL 4 DAY 64

CELEBRATION
Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it
is the only thing that ever has.”

When you look back on your life, you should

have changed the world somehow.
— Senal Sarihan

THINK ABOUT IT

What does celebration have to do with “rites of passage?” Why are

both important in our lives?

TAKE ACTION

Enjoy how far you have come in studying the 64 Ways to Practice
Nonviolence. Share this with a friend or loved one.
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