CLOSING DAY OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE

Greetings, family!

Today is Sunday, April 5th, and we have now completed the 12th annual Season For Nonviolence. Congratulations, and thank you for joining me on this journey! It has been my distinct pleasure to offer these daily blogs, and I have sent each one out with the prayer that it be read by the perfect person at the perfect time for the perfect outcome to present itself. If even one of you has been touched by these words, my goal was accomplished, and for that I am truly grateful!

I am going to be stepping away from my computer now, fully embracing "Holy Week" and the opportunity it presents for quiet reflection and solitude. Therefore, I offer this closing prayer and wish you showers of blessings in the ensuing days:

Every day, I join others in this prayer for World Peace.
With each kind thought,
each choice for nonviolence,
we plant a seed that shall bloom
to bring forth rich fruit in its Season.
Together, friend, we till the soil and
plant the seeds that all creation may
sing for joy and dance in the
Garden of Peace.
May our prayers and practices
during this Season be but the beginning
of a new culture of peace, security and
joy that shall endure unto our
children’s children’s children.

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAYS 63-64 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "RELEASE" & "CELEBRATION"

Greetings, family!

Today is Friday, April 3, and I am posting for the final two days of the Season For Nonviolence! For Thursday, April 2, DAY 63, the thought for today is RELEASE.

A Sufi proverb says “when the heart weeps for what it has lost, the spirit laughs for what is found.” Release the weight of your past, the judgments of yourself and others, and be the change you wish to see. Make room for what is here in this present moment, release the hurts and resentments and mistakes of the past and be present to the nonviolent presence you are right here right now.

In the presence of a man or woman in whom all hostility has been released, others cannot be hostile. In the presence of a man or woman in whom all fear has been released, no one can be afraid. This is the power of true nonviolence, as we can see in the life of Gandhi. Because he had released all hostility, he was a profound force for peace.

Today: I reflect back on how far I have come during this 64 day journey. I release the idea that World Peace is not possible by acknowledging that I really do make a difference. Say out loud, “I DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!”



For today, DAY 64, the thought is CELEBRATION.

Margaret Mead said “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Nonviolence is building the courage to speak and act with respect, reverence and compassion for our own being. Rejoice in the work that you have done. Celebrate the journey that you have made with countless others who believe that every individual can move the world in the direction of peace with their nonviolent choice and action.

Today: I celebrate my knowledge and maturity, my choice of nonviolence, and the journey I have chosen.

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 62 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "COMMITMENT"

Greetings, family!

Today is Wednesday, April 1, DAY 62 of the Season For Nonviolence. BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: I've had so much fun blogging for these first 62 days that I've decided to keep posting daily blogs for the rest of the year! (April Fools!!!!) At any rate, the thought for today is COMMITMENT.

Until one is committed there is hesitancy, a chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment that one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would come his way.

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it!
 Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!"
-Goethe

And so it is with nonviolence. We set forth a commitment to nonviolence with an intention that we can act upon today.  By doing so, we are presented with situations and circumstances that will allow us to model our commitment, to bring nonviolence to a situation.

I Am Becoming… (Janis Kelly @2008)

I am blessed, I am beautiful;
Beloved, bright and brave;
I am bold, I am bountiful;
And better every day;
I am becoming…(I can be);
I am becoming…(brilliantly);
I am becoming…(just for me);
I will be what I will to be;
I will be what I will to be;
I will be—what I will—TO BE!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com