A Journey Into Nonviolence

We all have certain truth.  Each of us brings a little truth, our self- truth to the Table.  Our stories are important to each other.   As a human family, they can bring about knowledge of our independent need and continual search for greater meanings and goals.  At the top of our list rests our deep desire for reconciliation, not victory. 

As I reflect on my own life journey and read the wonderful stories and ideas coming from the internet social networks, I am inspired.  Look at all the great quotes posted from varieties of both civil and faith based leaders over the centuries.  We see a diverse human and spiritual thread that is undeniable in like-mindedness.  Only through diversity are we better connected.  Through my eyes as a lay person and artist, reading through so many wonderful posts it is like beginning to watch a movie in black and white turn to the innumerable bright colors I love to use when I paint.  It is creativity, flowing and beautiful.  And if we are looking for opportunities, we can’t miss the fact that a spirit of love from past and present members of our human family is mysteriously and mystically alive within us.  Reconciliation knocks on our door.

I have collected some of my own stories and “tips” regarding my journey into nonviolence and nonviolent principals of negotiation and direct action.  In my lifetime I have been incredibly blessed to have put these principals into my daily life challenges as well as out in the real world.  When we bring truth in love relentlessly without judgment, we are traveling down that “narrow path.”  And if negotiations fail and we are committed to direct acts of civil disobedience, things change, people change, hearts change. 

As a growing and liberal Christian of 55 years, and speaking from my own journey, to me that new space of change is reconciliation, and it is where Jesus exists to bring us all the joy and peace we struggle for in the gift of life given to us and in a chaotic and hostile world.  We are all colorful children of the colorful Creator of the Universe which is love.

Here I have attached several links to short stories and tips or reminders of nonviolent principals that have fueled my passions.  These never go out of style, they always yield truth and change and today we fight the good fight in our local communities & states and nationally on many fronts; the poor, the sick, the oppressed, elderly, women and children.  We are busy “trickling UP” integrity to our leaders again. These are useful individually or as group studies.  I hope you will enjoy any of these links that may strike a chord for where you are on your journey  "to LOVE Mercy, to DO Justice and to WALK humbly with God..."

Blessings,
Cindy

13 Rules for Planning Vigils and Direct Actions https://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=1669942878#!/notes/cindy-hadden/13-rules-for-planning-vigils-and-nonviolent-direct-actions-from-the-writings-spe/10150122888193009

HERE’S A PERSPECTIVE FOR PRO-ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THE VIGIL PROCESS  https://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=1669942878#!/notes/cindy-hadden/heres-a-perspective-for-pro-active-participants-in-the-vigil-process/10150122885798009

The Pledge to Nonviolence - written by Martin Luther King, Jr.  https://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=1669942878#!/notes/cindy-hadden/the-pledge-to-nonviolence-written-by-martin-luther-king-jr/10150182448523009

Teach Your Children How to Live & Work in the Struggle-The Good Fight Ever Before Us
(My daughter and I learning and using principals together) https://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=10150393911508009

Mel White’s 17 Step Journey into Nonviolence – excellent source for self or study groups!  (Mel White led us on this through weekly emails prior to 200 of us meeting with Jerry Falwell in 1999)  http://www.soulforce.org/article/530

What the NY decision of marriage means - AND means to me personally – June 25, 2011  https://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&note_id=10150391269938009#!/note.php?note_id=10150381161593009

Building Local Soulforce in WA 1998 to 2005  (BUILD YOUR OWN COMMUNITY JUSTICE GROUP) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1142291572038.19161.1669942878&l=7bd6fe5749

PHOTOS OF PERSONAL LOCAL AND NATIONAL ACTIVISM: This is my FB Photo page.  At the bottom is  about 20 Albums of Soulforce events/vigils/arrests
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150401624813009#!/media/albums/?id=1669942878


(Guest Feature submitted by member of The Christian Left, Cindy Hadden)

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