WHAT IF...

We committed just three Acts of Peace a day, totalling over one thousand each year?

How would it affect our lives and the lives of people we know? 
Would it change the way we see the world, and the world sees us?
What would it mean at our workplaces, in our homes, to our world?
And, once we started committing three Acts of Peace a day…could we ever stop?

We are people who have decided to find out. We promise to commit One Thousand Acts of Peace each year – three a day - which actually adds up to 1,095 (but at that point, who’s counting?)

We will do this to become peacemakers in a very real, effective and immediate way – in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. We will record these One Thousand Acts of Peace in a little notebook every day. This recording is very important -- both to remind us of our daily promise and to spur us on to become more and more creative in our peacemaking activities…

And to develop the habit of peace.

We will start with peaceful acts that are do-able…simple…maybe even easy:

  • saying “thank you” with a smile to someone who does us a service,
  • helping a neighbor carry groceries up the stairs,
  • encouraging a person we love,
  • offering to babysit for a grandchild,
  • working in a community garden,
  • emailing a friend who needs a bit of comfort,
  • making a phonecall to someone who would like to hear from us...

Our Acts of Peace will inevitably grow from the simple and easy to the more complicated and difficult:

  • choosing not to respond in kind to a rude remark,
  • forgiving an angry outburst,
  • saying we’re sorry if we’ve injured someone,
  • letting go of a long-held grudge,
  • calling a parent or sibling after years of separation,
  • reaching out to someone who once rejected us,
  • working with a local organization dedicated to compassionate service.

We have no idea where One Thousand Acts of Peace will lead us, but we believe that peace can only come into this world through our own personal efforts, day by day. The most empowering part of our Acts of Peace practice is that it frees us from having to wait for other people to create peace in our world – local and world leaders, politicians, governments. We know from experience that lasting peace does not come from cease-fires and peace treaties. It can only come when simple men, women and children decide to practice peace today, and every day.


This is nothing if not a grass-roots peace initiative. And if we tend the grass, peace will grow.

We also believe that people worldwide who are focused on finding three ways to commit Acts of Peace every day will be less likely to become angry, violent, or consumed with the desire for revenge. People whose whole life orientation is toward giving birth to peace will not sow the seeds of further discord through lying, cheating, gossip, betrayal, extortion. They will not want to kill anyone – even with words. Those for whom peace is paramount will, in fact, sacrifice everything to encourage peace, practice peace, teach peace. And once we all begin to experience and share the joyful fruits of daily peacemaking, we will become, perhaps, obsessed by peace – in the best possible way.

It won’t happen overnight and it will take constant effort on our part, as well as some difficult choices. Peace isn’t easy, but it is possible. We know that One Thousand Acts of Peace this year and every year will transform our personal lives and those of our families, friends, co-workers, and fellow-students. Even more, we are convinced that, as we speak about our progress (and challenges!) in committing One Thousand Acts of Peace a year to family, friends and strangers, others will want to join us. And if every person in the world commits One Thousand Acts of Peace every year, instead of one thousand acts of violence, can you anticipate what might happen? Anger, hatred and even war could die out for lack of interest.
To the skeptics, we can only say: “Do you know a better way?” If we never try, if we never persistently practice peace, will we ever live to experience the outcome? It might just astound us. We invite you to join us in this effort – this hourly, daily, yearly passion for peace – this exuberant commitment to finally do something to make peace happen here and now, in our own immediate environment.

We have no formal structure, no membership dues, no by-laws, no political or religious affiliations, no hidden agenda, no need for financial donations, and we accept no advertising on this site.

We simply ask you to commit three intentional acts of peace a day, every day…and to jot them down in a few words. That’s all. And that’s everything.

At the end of this year -- and every year -- we will each dedicate our One Thousand Acts of Peace in a celebration of peacemakers throughout the world – and together watch virtual peace confetti rise up into the sky, by the millions.

Peace. Three times a day.

Think what a world it could create!

This Website belongs to all who visit it from around the world.
 

Suggestions for Acts of Peace

 

  • Do a favor for a friend you really enjoy
  • Help out a neighbor you may not particularly like
  • Give your spouse, partner, parent, a peace hug
  • Be patient with the irritating person next to you
  • Receive a compliment with pleasure
  • Say a cheerful hello to someone grouchy
  • Thank a person who does you a small – or large – service
  • Talk to a person around you whom you usually ignore
  • Call someone who wants to hear from you
  • Email an old acquaintance
  • Write a long overdue “thank you” note
  • Visit someone who is sick or lonely
  • Cheer up a friend who is feeling low
  • Support a co-worker with a word of praise
  • Encourage a child, an elderly person
  • Affirm a member of your family or a fellow student who needs it
  • Take time to listen to someone who is sad or depressed
  • Don’t be too busy to offer a word of comfort or encouragement
  • Spread a little more peace – and laughter  - at home, at school, at work
  • Jog, swim, hike, dance, sing, play – to feel more peace-filled
  • Donate your time or your talent to a worthy cause
  • Ask how you can help…then help

Decide to wake up with the intention every day:
 "Today, I will be patient, I will be kind,
I will help others even if they don't help me,
I will work on one thing I know is harmful, and so forth...."

More Suggestions for Acts of Peace

  • If a car cuts you off -- don’t curse -- wish the driver a little peace
  • Do an unpleasant chore without complaining
  • Instead of criticizing, find a way to give a compliment
  • If someone annoys you, dare to do something nice for that person
  • Respond to rudeness with a carefully chosen peaceful word
  • If you feel irritable, make a special effort not to snap at people
  • Take a deep breath if you’re angry -- and wait to speak more peacefully
  • Clear up a misunderstanding by trying to see the other person’s viewpoint
  • Be aware of friction around you and work to defuse it in a peaceful way
  • Talk to someone with whom you’ve had a recent argument
  • Apologize to a person you realize you’ve offended
  • Be willing to forgive before being asked
  • Learn to compromise a little more and disagree a little less
  • Let go of an age-old grudge that is destroying your own peace of mind
  • Reach out to a family member who is estranged
  • Think about ways to co-operate rather than compete with people
  • If someone is in pain, do what you can to lessen it
  • If you’re in pain, ask for help but try not to complain
  • If you’re having a bad day, give yourself an Act of Peace
  • Take a "Peace Walk" and send peace to every person or house you pass 
  • Give thanks for every Act of Peace someone else does for you!


We welcome Suggestions for Acts of Peace -- from your own personal experience. Please send us your COMMENTS,ACTS OF PEACE STORIES AND SUGGESTIONS .
Or email us directly at info@onethousandactsofpeace.org
Our editors will review your Suggestions and place them on this list.

THANK YOU for your Acts of Peace!

Download the Acts of Peace Commitment (PDF)