Are you an instrument of peace?

If you are like me, even though you live your life in accordance with your values (most of the time), you sometimes feel compelled to “do more” for causes you care about. For me, I also sometimes think that the “more” I do needs to be “big.” I’m grateful to coach Sandra Schrift for the following ideas about simple things each of us can do in order to bring more peace into our world. Thanks Sandra for this timely reminder for me!

What can each of us do to contribute to internal, interpersonal, and organizational peace? Here are some ideas from The Center for Nonviolent Communication www.cnvc.org. The founder, Marshal Rosenberg, created a Nonviolent Communication language so all people will get their needs met and resolve their conflicts peacefully.

Spend some time each day quietly reflecting on how we would like to relate to ourselves and others.

Remember that all human beings have the same needs.

Check our intention to see if we are as interested in others getting their needs met as our own.

When asking someone to do something, see if we are making a request or a demand.

Instead of saying what we DON’T want someone to do, say what we DO want the person to do.

Instead of praising someone who did something we like, express our gratitude by telling the person what need of ours that action met.

Be an instrument of peace in your world. Practice one of Dr. Rosenberg’s ideas and see what happens. Share your stories in the Comments section.

Filed under: Mindfulness, Self-empowerment by Shonnie on September 11, 2006 |

4 Comments »

I haven’t had time to practice any of the suggestions, but I didn’t want the points to get lost. Peace begins with me. I remind myself of that at least once a day. It usually lasts for about 2 hours after. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but very empowering once you accept it.

Cheers,
Nneka

Comment by Nneka — September 12, 2006 @ 9:51 pm
Great post and some great suggestions! How would you, in your opinion, apply the last point on that list?

Comment by Amit — September 13, 2006 @ 9:36 am
Thanks Amit. Great question you raise. It reminds me of when someone once taught me about a “different” way to deliver a compliment. Instead of saying, “Wow, great dress!” say, “Wow, that dress is a flattering color on you.” The first way, though complimentary, focuses on my opinion and tastes, whereas the second gives specific info about why the dress is wonderful on that person. Given that, I think “express[ing] our gratitude by telling the person what need of ours that action met” would sound more like, “When you offered to clean up after dinner it gave me a chance to relax and made me feel your appreciation for having made dinner.”

If you have another idea–Amit or other readers–please share. Let’s learn from each other!

Comment by Shonnie — September 13, 2006 @ 9:57 am
Yeah I get what you’re saying! I’m trying to think of a way of applying that within my own life and in day to day situations…

Ok, so I think I’ve thought of one application, so at work, instead of saying to someone; “you did a good job!” I could say something like; “thank you for doing that, it enabled me to get on with this other thing instead”

Or I could do a combination of the both?!

Comment by Amit — September 14, 2006 @ 6:19 am