May we remember this quote by Jane Roberts, spoken in many ways by others who have through their words taught us the importance of being mindful of what we think, say and do.  Our choices have consequence.  Always and all ways.

“You are so part of the world
that your slightest action contributes to its reality.
Your breath changes the atmosphere.
Your encounters with others
alter the fabrics of their lives,
and the lives of those
who come in contact with them.”

For those in our movement taking up the RESIST banner, please do so mindfully, all the while remembering:

Mahatma Gandhi’s admonishment: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

If we are seeking peace and respect of our political leaders and policy makers, may our behaviors be peaceable and respectful.  Behaviors both externally in our deeds and our words, and our behaviors internally with our thoughts and wishes.

Yes internally, may we hold peace and respect in our hearts and in our minds for ourselves and for others.  For we foster that which we focus on.  If we foster animosity in our hearts, we are contributing to the perpetuation of animosity in our communities and in our world.  So, please foster peace, and foster respect, for these are what we want most to see.  These are the attributes of Love.  And, we are a people of Love.

Teacher of non-violent communication, Marshall Rosenberg affirms something many of us have difficulty understanding the merit of for at first glance it can appear counter-intuitive, even antithetical, but is worth contemplation:

“To practice the process of conflict resolution, we must completely abandon the goal of getting people to do what we want.”

What would it mean for us to enter the process of conflict resolution without the intent of getting someone to do what we want, but rather to gain a better understanding of them?

This practical advice has been forthcoming from our mystics for centuries:

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.” – Rumi (1207-1273)

We are encouraged from all of our faith’s sources to cultivate peace in our hearts and treat each other well.

“Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.”  – Starhawk

“O’ GREAT SPIRIT
help me always
to speak the truth quietly,
to listen with an open mind
when others speak,
and to remember the peace
that may be found in silence.”  – Cherokee Prayer

“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” – Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 13:1)

Let our words be gentle.

Let our thoughts and our actions be consistent with the outcome we desire.

Let our thoughts, our words and our deeds be rooted in manifestations of Love:

Peace and Respect.

Let us remember who we are as a people and behave in a way that shows we do.

“Go out into the world in peace,
have courage,
hold on to what is good,
return to no person evil for evil,
strengthen the faint-hearted,
support the weak,
help the suffering,
honor all beings.” — Benediction based on the Gospels