Being a Peacemaker
We give the "TKF Resource Guide" to all the students who see our Violence Impact Forum (VIF) program at their schools. What you do with our ideas is in YOUR HANDS. Change the world! Peace can only bring you closer to the good things you want in your life.The following tips out of the guide give you helpful tools to practice nonviolence.
Peacemaker Pledge
…say it to yourself and to others
I pledge, on my honor, to be a peacemaker:
In my home
In my school and
In my community.
I am a peacemaker.
I AM A PEACEMAKER.
Attitudes of Peace Makers
- I am worthy of love and respect just as others are worthy of mine.
- I want to understand.
- I listen to other’s point of view.
- I keep an open mind.
- I ask questions to help me understand.
- I will respect myself by respecting others.
- I can feel anger without having to act on it.
- When I’m angry, I have the right to be angry but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
- A really strong person can walk away from a fight.
- I can be strong without hurting others.
- I don’t want to cause suffering or pain.
- I take responsibility for my actions.
- I can apologize.
Making up your own mind
- Take plenty of time to think about what you want. Don’t let others push you into making a decision before you’re ready.
- Find the facts. Sometimes what you hear from peers or other people is either NOT TRUE or ONLY partially true. Don’t base important decisions on lies or half-truths; find out for yourself.
- Keep your eyes and ears open. Choices you make now can affect your ENTIRE life. Look at the whole problem before you jump to a conclusion.
- Consider the mistakes you have made. Remind yourself what you learned from past mistakes and plan not to make the same mistakes again.
- Believe in yourself and have courage. Trust those "gut" feelings that let you know something’s not right.
- Develop your skills to say "NO!" When something goes against your beliefs, YOU CAN SAY "NO." Stand for what you believe in!
Taking a stand against violence
- Settle arguments with peaceful words. Walk away from violence.
- Report any crimes or suspicious actions to the police, school authorities, parents or other responsible adults.
- Learn safe routes for walking in the neighborhood, and know good places to seek help.
- Never go anywhere with someone you don’t know and trust.
- Don’t use alcohol or other drugs, and stay away from people that use them.
- Stick with friends who are also against violence and drugs.
- Get involved to make your school better and safer. Do good things for yourself like join drug-free clubs, exercise, listen to or play music, and volunteer.
- Be a role model and help younger children learn to avoid VIOLENCE. Set a good example of peace and understanding.
- When you go out, tell your parents where you’re going, when you’ll be home, and who you’re going with so that you can stay safe, in case you have an emergency or are in trouble.
- Don’t get caught in the cycle of violence! If you meet violence with more violence, the pain you feel will never go away and will only cause more violence and hurt. STOP the cycle by practicing the POWER OF PEACE