Rate this article and enter to win
There’s a lot of conflict going on in the world right now, so it’s a great time to shift our focus toward implementing positive change. World Peace Day (also called the International Day of Peace) takes place on September 21 and reminds us to practice kindness and nonviolence toward people and animals across the globe. We’re not just talking being nice to our loved ones and our dog, Coco; #peaceday is all about showing kindness to everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or politics. (Yes, even politics!) It also offers us an opportunity to foster inner peace of mind as well as harmony in our personal relationships.
Here are a few ideas for spreading peace in your own life:
- Make a personal commitment to nonviolence, including verbal attacks.
- Help those in need. If you notice a person or animal who seems lost, hurt, or upset, lend a hand.
- Practice meditation and mindfulness.
- Make a point to be kind to the people you interact with—from your friends and classmates to the cashier at the coffee shop.
- Speak out against prejudice and discrimination when you see it.
- Think before reacting. If someone hurts your feelings, take a few deep breaths and ask yourself what the most constructive response would be. Remind yourself that people who say or do hurtful things are usually struggling with their own issues.
- Volunteer for a cause you care about.
- Eat a vegan meal or aim to eat meat-free one night a week.
- Attend a religious or spiritual service that aligns with your beliefs, or try a Zen center or a restorative walk in nature.
- Reduce your use of single-use plastics: Buy a reusable water bottle, bring reusable bags to the grocery store, and use Tupperware to store food instead of plastic bags.
Human rights advocacy opportunities: Amnesty International
International Day of Peace: United Nations
Volunteer, social change, and civic action campaigns: DoSomething.org
Steckl, C. (n.d.). Twenty ways to promote peace in our world. MentalHelp.net. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/twenty-ways-to-promote-peace-in-our-world/
U.N. International Day of Peace. (n.d). Retrieved from https://internationaldayofpeace.org/