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18/6/2015

Suggestions for a world without violence

I've noticed that conversations about peace or a world without violence can tend to focus on ending warfare or something happening somewhere else than where I am. The inspiring gathering of women who made up the May Unstoppable Women for a World Without Violence gathering made it clear that the experience of violence is widespread, and that it frequently connects close to home. Wherever it touches ground, this is an issue that needs everyone being part of the change. For each of us, creating peace starts with where we are and who we are being.

The stories shared during the evening were powerful, and the suggestions clear and wide-ranging. The following suggestions were recorded from the evening's conversation.

Structural

be aware of the forms of violence
understand root causes and disconnects
understand and address inequalities

create gender equality
challenge the futility of war and the building of a national myth that war defines us
address domestic violence
address inequalities
address the historical and ongoing violence against the traditional owners of this land
address systemic violence - building gratitude, a nice life for all
address sex industry violence: punishing the victims
decriminalise sex purveyors, criminalising the buyers
build support for victims and emergency accommodation

Community

teach philosophy for children - build understanding
build connectedness with self and others
Consider how we can connect with others and not judge
work with resistance to change
build support for Working Against Violence Support Service (WAVSS) and similar
create spaces and groups for women emerging from domestic violence to not be in victim role
increase support for victims and emergency accommodation

work with men and women
build the momentum of men against violence
practise and build compassion / support for Muslims
provide practical immediate and long term support for refugees in our communities
- including welcome dinners, continuing practical support, connecting with others
- address disrespect for the English languaging of migrants and migrant speakers.

Peace - from the personal to community: the change comes from within

build survival skills, autonomy
connect with our own power / knowledge
work on living without worry
nurture an open heart policy
explore what is "choice"
practise nonviolence in diet

build connectedness with self and others
consider how we can connect and not judge
cultivate mindfulness - for self and others
develop empathy and compassion for self and others
engage in compassionate conversation / mindful dialogue
honour and practise peaceful communication

Useful tools

awareness
critical thinking
compassion and meditation
mentoring - peer support
persistence

The Invitation
Make a difference for peace and a world without violence over this next month

Positive action in any sphere creates a ripple effect.
Make a difference: all the way from small daily actions through to large change

Your thoughts? Those who participated would love to hear.

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5/6/2015

Thoughts for a world without violence - after all!

Requiem for a lost blog - and the gentle art of letting go

Yesterday I completed a most beautiful post on a world without violence.

I'd been working on it, on and off, for a month or so. Then in a millisecond the whole post disappeared - just as I clicked the button to publish it. No sign of it. Really. F#@rkkk.

Did I mention that it was a pretty darn good blog?

After initial disbelief and a good deal of searching, I recalled that I still had a couple of skerricks remaining, including this text on the right - a few of the suggestions for daily practice identified by participants in May's Unstoppable Women for a World Without Violence.

Suggestions for daily practice for a world without violence

Learnings in the space of loss

After the initial spak attack, there were some useful reminders and learnings for me...

1. Suffering is optional. This is a biggie isn't it. Once I get it (yet again), letting it go is way more enjoyable (well, after a little wallowing in a few emotions, that is!). The challenge is, this needs to be learnt and practised way before the actual event.

2. Consciously choosing things just as they are is way more empowering than hanging on to what was. (Though note I have emailed my web developer - amazing things can be retrieved these days. Magic can happen!).

3. Compose your posts offline, offline, offline, kiddo - and save often!

4. Be open for the good that turns up.
For me:

The chance to practise letting go yet again! Requires regular practice. (Thank you to all my teachers on this topic over the years!)
An appreciation of the calm available to me =these days in contrast to the self-flagellating angst of old.
Remembering that an apparent 'deviation' might be the essence of the matter after all...
And - most delightful of all - have space to enjoy what turns up - including this gorgeous koala joey. Ain't he s/he something? Thank you Judy Williams for your perfect timing in sharing this photo.

Final word...
So funny. In the space left by the missing post I've ended up practising the suggestions for a world without violence. I've also been reminded yet again that getting over blah quickly is way worth it. I can choose anguish/anger ...or I can enjoy the world epitomised by this handful of gorgeous joey. Let me think, hehehe.....

Thoughts for action...

What are your learnings at times like these?
What else would you suggest I might learn from this?
Is there anyone you could pay this forward to? eg by sending this blog post and photo + your love + a good learning of your own.
Any other ideas for how you can contribute to a peaceful world without violence, and fulfilling lives?

Contribute your thoughts. Be part of the solution.

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Chris is a Courage Catalyst and bold stand for women ready to claim their courage, creativity and unstoppability and achieve the powerful results they want for themselves, their personal life, their business, the world.

Suggestions﻿ for a world without violence

Thoughts for a world without violence - after all!﻿