Terra's Past Letters

Hoping for Peace

Dear Hoping for Peace,

I'd say the very best way that you can "help make world peace" is to start with yourself. Are you as kind and peaceful to others as you can be? Are you kind and caring to yourself at all times?

Think about the word "violence"... It means to intentionally do harm to someone (or to yourself). It includes physical harm, of course, but have you ever thought about the fact that words can be used as weapons to hurt people?

I have great admiration for your wish to make world peace. And I want to encourage you in your efforts. You don't have to wait until you're an adult -- you can start today... Right now. Become more aware of what you choose to do and say to other people. Make sure there is no intention to HARM anyone in any way. (No name calling, no insults, no shutting people out because your friends don't think they're cool enough for your group.)

Oh, and make sure you don't think bad things about yourself either. That's doing violence to YOU.

As Gandhi said, "You must BE the change you want to see in the world."

You think about that wisdom for a while and it can help you become a warrior for peace.