Joe Brummer
11-10-2006, 06:51 PM
So much of what I see and read about nonviolence presents this “global” method of political change. I have seen little about personal nonviolence and personal change. If nonviolence truly starts within us, and we need to be the change we wish to see in the world, then I find it an absolute necessity to teach people that nonviolence is an everyday thing like breathing.
I often tell people that I practice nonviolence the most when I am driving in my car. I get cut off, or see people speeding in the school zone, I see kids more interested in looking good in their car than they are driving the car. Those are all little everyday tests of my nonviolence. I try to practice “nonviolent driving”, I try to stop myself from getting angry at those I see driving like maniacs, speeding, cutting people off (me). When someone won’t go as fast as I want, I have to bite my togue so I don’t say or think something mean or call them names. When I see someone needs to get out of the driveway on a busy road, I try to be the one who will stop, and let them go. When I stop and think how many times in one drive I can use nonviolence, it sometimes amazes me. People do drive like they are immortal, but through nonviolence I am reminded they are not.
We need nonviolence everywhere, not just to stop wars in other countries, we need nonviolence to prevent car accidents. Who knew that nonviolence could prevent car accidents, but I believe it can even do that. Maybe if we got everyone to practice nonviolence in their driving skills, it would spread to their walking skills, their talking skills, and their spiritual skills. It is just a small place to start……
If we approached car insurance companies and proved this to them, they might offer discounts to those drivers who take a “nonviolent driving” course. People would take the course for the savings, but walk away with so much more….what is great is that lots of people drive and have cars. We could reach thousands of people from all walks of life, all ages with a message that could change the world.
taken from: http://joebrummer.com/WordPress/?p=461
I often tell people that I practice nonviolence the most when I am driving in my car. I get cut off, or see people speeding in the school zone, I see kids more interested in looking good in their car than they are driving the car. Those are all little everyday tests of my nonviolence. I try to practice “nonviolent driving”, I try to stop myself from getting angry at those I see driving like maniacs, speeding, cutting people off (me). When someone won’t go as fast as I want, I have to bite my togue so I don’t say or think something mean or call them names. When I see someone needs to get out of the driveway on a busy road, I try to be the one who will stop, and let them go. When I stop and think how many times in one drive I can use nonviolence, it sometimes amazes me. People do drive like they are immortal, but through nonviolence I am reminded they are not.
We need nonviolence everywhere, not just to stop wars in other countries, we need nonviolence to prevent car accidents. Who knew that nonviolence could prevent car accidents, but I believe it can even do that. Maybe if we got everyone to practice nonviolence in their driving skills, it would spread to their walking skills, their talking skills, and their spiritual skills. It is just a small place to start……
If we approached car insurance companies and proved this to them, they might offer discounts to those drivers who take a “nonviolent driving” course. People would take the course for the savings, but walk away with so much more….what is great is that lots of people drive and have cars. We could reach thousands of people from all walks of life, all ages with a message that could change the world.
taken from: http://joebrummer.com/WordPress/?p=461