By Lisa Catherine Brown

What if a dream of peace could be realized even if for a day? One young man — Shephen Shoemaker — had an idea for A Day of Peace with three rules. He posted it on Facebook.

We at AOC think it’s a great idea and another way that social networking can touch our lives in a positive way so Anne made the quick decision to support the cause and I quickly followed.

This isn’t a United Nations pass for individuals and groups to create practical ideas of peace. It’s not a week of brainstorming on how to get along, bridge differences and lessen the gaps that divide us. It’s just one guy asking people to try, simply try, to follow three principles for one day to be a better person and see what happens. Today is that day.

On January 9, 2011, he posted this idea and by February 27th his idea had a million followers. Today 1,678,417 have agreed to ‘attend’ A Day of Peace and we are spreading his message.

This young man’s efforts aren’t scientific or calculable. How many will truly make the valiant effort at kindness and understanding that Stephen Shoemaker urges us to do will never be known, but he has reached over a million and a half people in less than two months! That is a remarkable fait accompli!

I must note that 1,296,793 are not attending A Day of Peace and for many reasons.

As one person just wrote: “It’s kinda hard to have a day of peace in a war zone.” Another person says the pursuit of peace is illogical and against the laws of nature. War is good for the survival of the fittest. 

War Is Not Darwinian Sport | Humans Can Do Better

We don’t embrace war as sport and are adopting Stephen’s three rules for today, his Day of Peace.

#1. Say not a single unkind thing about anyone or anything. If at all possible, try not to even think a nasty thought. If we do, reflect on why it was that we thought to say it in the first place.

 #2. Show everyone we cross paths with some genuine human compassion. Be it with a smile or kind words, just spread some love.

 #3. Make not one person the exception to the rule. Not everyone deserves to have roses thrown at their feet and have a holiday in their honor, but nobody deserves to feel alone. Reach out. Talk to someone new. Care about them, and we will be cared for in return.

Our friend, Stephen, claims it is a ‘simple proposition’ and I hope he is right. Certainly we all can benefit from being on both sides of kindness and understanding. I admit I would like to be both on the giving and receiving end of a smile, a nod, inner reflection, sweet thoughts, words and deeds.

image via peaceread.org

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