ONETHOUSANDACTSOFPEACE.org

What if…

We committed just three Acts of Peace a day, totaling 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 how 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 small service, helping a neighbor carry groceries up the stairs, encouraging a person we love, babysitting for a grandchild, working in a 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. And we are firmly convinced that, as we speak about our personal commitment to One Thousand Acts of Peace to family, friends and strangers, others will be moved to try it for themselves.

The most empowering part of our One Thousand 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, 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 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 share our progress (and challenges!) in committing One Thousand Acts of Peace a year, 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.

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 need for financial donations.

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.

Waves of Peace. Three times a day.

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