A Season for Non-Violence is a national 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities.  Inspired by the memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event starts January 30 and ends April 4 and thus honors their vision for an empowered, non-violent world.

Daily readings are just one of the highlighted activities practiced during the season.  AUSD schools have been provided materials by which teachers and administrators integrate these daily readings to the school day.  Today’s reading is based on the principle of respect.

Respect

The thought for today is Respect.  Gandhi taught "Language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers." Respecting yourself and others means making a choice not to use profanity or 'put downs'. Let our language be based on respect for those we address.  The life of peace excludes no one.  Let your words reflect your respect for others - speak from the depth of your heart and soul.  The other side of respect is listening - listen to others with the respect that what they have to say matters.  The act of listening has a calming effect on others; even it they are in a heated tirade, just listening  models a nonviolent response.

"Courtesy towards opponents and eagerness to understand their view-point is the ABC of nonviolence." M.K. Gandhi