50 Ways To Promote Peace | Uncustomary

September 21st is the International Day Of Peace. This is an “unusual” holiday as it’s not observed on your run-of-the-mill calendar, but the concept shouldn’t be unusual at all (although to many it unfortunately is).

I wonder if there’s a tally somewhere of all the pageant participants that answered the question, “If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?” replied with, “World peace”. Most of us want it, but we keep hoping and it doesn’t seem to happen. At least not globally. That’s realism, not pessimism. Every day there are hundreds of acts of violence, murders, rapes, robberies, bombs, terrorist acts, and way more terrible things. Someone is always at war. Overall, there isn’t really peace in the world, that being defined as “freedom from disturbance, war, and violence; quiet and tranquility”.

I’m not in a position of power that has the influence over ending a war, or creating harsher laws for someone obtaining a gun or punishments for those convicted of rape, and I’m guessing you’re not either (whether or not you agree with those sentiments). What I am in a position to do is to create peace in my own life and attempt to also do so for the people around me, and so do you.

I wanted to make a list of ways to promote peace in everyday life, things that are tangible for any private citizen. Peace is partially obtained through the pursuit of happiness. As children find peace when they play with kids play equipment, adults need to find happiness through higher meaning and building a better world around them. I hope you’ll read through it and think about what peace means to you and how you can add more of it to your life and the lives of those around you.




50 Ways To Promote Peace

1. Treat all people with kindness, regardless of race, gender orientation, sexual orientation, religion, etc.
2. Attend a peace rally
3. Write to your government (local and federal)
4. Create a peaceful affirmation/mantra
5. Don’t engage in violence of any kind
6. Don’t purchase weapons
7. Embrace diversity and get to know other cultures by traveling the world and doing research
8. Start a collection to donate to a charity
9. Volunteer for the Peace Corps
10. If you have a platform, use it to educate
11. Advocate for animal rights (including slaughter laws)
12. Meditate and teach/encourage others to meditate
13. Organize community projects to build camaraderie (group mural, clean-up, etc.)
14. Think about other peoples intentions vs. their outcome
15. Never honk your car horn unless you’re unsafe

50 Ways To Promote Peace | Uncustomary

16. Make art installations with the word “peace” or the peace symbol
17. When you see someone who is in trouble, help them
18. Learn mediation/conflict resolution skills
19. Advocate peace with T-shirts, bumper stickers, patches, etc.
20. Call out people when you see them being sexist, racist, etc.
21. Spend time in nature
22. Stay abreast of current events
23. Take a break from watching the news when you need to
24. Register to vote (and actually vote!)
25. Create a safe space/sanctuary in your ome
26. Engage in random acts of kindness on a regular basis
27. Hang Tibetan prayer flags
28. Reduce your carbon footprint
29. Volunteer at a domestic violence shelter
30. Try had not to judge others
31. Research influential peace promoters in history
32. Talk to kids about peaceful virtues early on
33. Have a plan for dangerous situations of all types (being mugged, a house fire, etc.)
34. Respect your environment (i.e. don’t litter)
35. Sign a peace pledge

50 Ways To Promote Peace | Uncustomary

36. Think about any prejudices you might have and explore why they are a part of you, with the ultimate goal being that you release them
37. Learn about symbols of peace and use tangible examples as reminders in your own home, workspace, car, etc.
38. Attend local government meetings
39. Forgive others, even long-standing enemies
40. Read books about peace and recommend them to your friends
41. Help the homeless / Volunteer at a shelter
42. Take a nonviolent crisis intervention class
43. Develop meaningful relationships outside your own race
44. Sign an appeal to end nuclear threats
45. Host art/music/poetry events with the theme of peace
46. Be patient in all aspects of life
47. Learn what the main causes of violence in your city are
48. Practice self-love and care so you can radiate goodness to others
49. Say you’re sorry when necessary, even it’s belated
50. Define what the word “peace” means to you

Looking to spend more time in nature? Try doing a nature scavenger hunt! I made a list of 25 things you can look for that you can print out.

Uncustomary

Nature Scavenger Hunt List

What does peace mean to you? How else can we promote peace in our lives?