I found this great blog about living nonviolence at a personal level.

Dear friends of Farida,
I am so excited for my blog, readers and friends! January 30th marks the beginning of the Season for Nonviolence. For 64 days I will post a "way" to practice Nonviolence in your life. Each entry will be tagged under "64 ways to practice nonviolence" and "peace studies". Feel free to pass the good word around or share the links.

From 1/30 through 4/4, "www.faridarafique.com" will be an active participant of this beautiful season.

Days 1 - 23 focus on Personal change.
Nonviolence begins by learning how to be less violent and more compassionate with ourselves. We learn by building courage to speak and act with a respect, honor and reverence for our own being.
Days 24 - 46 focus on Interpersonal change.
In order to create a peaceful world, we must learn to practice nonviolence with one another in our day-to-day interactions.
Days 47 - 64 focus on Community.
Nonviolence challenges us to stand for Truth by taking action that honors the dignity and worth of
every human being.

http://www.faridarafique.com/splash/2008/02/introducing-6-1.html

A letter to the editor — 12/05/2007 9:21 am

Dear Editor: I read the article on the threats made at Park Falls High School. Violence has increased in many schools throughout the U.S. This is not surprising. In the past there has always been more violence in our society whenever our country violently invaded another country. I still remember the great increase in the incidences of violence in our cities at the time of the Vietnam War.

Children learn from us adults. Their conduct will not be much different from our conduct. When we adults use violence as a means to achieve a goal, no matter how noble it may be, we can expect our children to do the same. We can tell our children to be nonviolent and not hurt other people all we want, but if we do not do it ourselves, we are wasting our breath.

St. Francis once said, "We should preach the Gospel sometimes with words."

I suggest that the way to stop violence in our schools is to start teaching nonviolence to our students both in word and deed. We, the members of the clergy, need to take the lead in this since we especially are supposed to preach the nonviolent Christ, the Prince of Peace, to all. This Christmas season would be a good time to start.

Rev. Don Timmerman, Park Falls, Wis.

The Capital Times

Where can we learn about character and courage?

Regular people standing up for justice and equality. Better to let their acts speak for their own courage:

On June 10, 1963, nightsticks were raised and fire hoses turned on black residents, who dared to protest Danville’s resistance to the civil rights movement with a peaceful demonstration in front of Danville’s jailhouse.

The day was so vicious, it became known as “Bloody Monday” to honor the victims that day - nearly 50 brutally beaten and at least 60 arrested.

It has taken more than 40 years, but on Saturday, at the site of the attack - now Danville’s courthouse - firefighters were lined up in front of a fire truck, hoses rolled up tight, to applaud along with the rest of the audience as a historical plaque was unveiled to honor those who fought for equality.

Bloody Monday' marker dedicated, Dansville Register Bee, Dansville, VA

This is a very nice story

Calling themselves “H.ighly I.ntelligent P.eople H.ealing O.ur P.lanet,” the group will announce their newly-produced CD, which they hope will spark discussion among other youth in Westchester schools and community centers about possibilities for bringing positive change to their communities and the wider world.

The 15 young people are students of White Plains resident Cornell Carelock, an educator and hip-hop artist known as “Lord Judah.” Under the auspices of the Westchester Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence, Mr. Carelock presented his students Dr. King’s Six Principles of Nonviolence (as compiled by the King Center in Atlanta), and gave six small groups the chance to create a song in response to what they read. The group’s name reflects Mr. Carelock’s and his students’ visions that hip-hop can be a way for young people who want to build a world without violence to express their hopes and dreams.

Martin Luther King Jr. Hip Hop on Wstchester.com

I love rhetoric. And I love persuasion. All of these help us to get along without resorting to violence.

So is it surprising that I am recommending the following article by Jay Heinrichs, from Figaro Speech on why we should teach rhetoric to our children?

I learned about Jay while reading a book review on Psychology Today. That was a few months ago. I feel that I am eventually going to buy this book :)

Wonder Time's Argue with Me!

A nice talk with the author of "The Power of Positive No" by William L. Ury, one of the co-authors of "Getting to Yes".

"Getting to Yes" changed my outlook on negotiation and bargaining. Before this book, I tried to get the most that I could on every transaction. I especially practiced a lot in garage sales. I often got the item for half price. I was just doing the negotiation that I saw when I was a child in Mexico. And I must admit, it was a incredible how no one really negotiated back.

However, this is a destructive long-term path. And "Getting to Yes" allowed me to see that. Hard bargaining doesn't really matter in garage sales, but trying to do the same with the people that we live every day would kill every relationship that we have.

Just a few days I read his book, "Getting Pass No." A lovely reading, which again has helped me a lot in my understanding on how to reach to other people.

The radio interview that I am linking below has Ury talking about his new book, "The Power of Positive No." The basic concept is that when we are saying "No," what we are really saying is "Yes" to another unspoken value. So, if one says "no" to injustice, we are really saying "yes" to justice.

And he stresses that being able to say no in a strong, firm, and non-aggressive way is a necessary part of negotiations.

But it is better if you listen to the interview yourself.
Saying No, radio segment.

Click on the, "The Importance of Saying No: Negotiating 101." Once you get to that site.

Shiny Happy People

Shiny happy people laughing
Meet me in the crowd
People people
Throw your love around
Love me love me
Take it into town
Happy happy
Put it in the ground
Where the flowers grow
Gold and silver shine

Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing

Everyone around love them, love them
Put it in your hands
Take it take it
There’s no time to cry
Happy happy
Put it in your heart
Where tomorrow shines
Gold and silver shine

Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing

---
A very nice song. Strangely upbeat and positive coming from an alternative group.

For some reason the trendoratti decided that this is a shameful song to like.

Maybe that is why according to its wikipedia entry, Mike kept it out of a best album.

The reality is that most of these hated songs are secretly loved. Some will claim that they ironically like the song.

I will declare, for the record, that I like the song without irony. I don't think that a song about love should shame anyone. :)