A dear friend of mine complained that often when she often reads my blog she is left feeling sad and discouraged. The posts remind her of all the things wrong in the world, and the many injustices done by and within our own country, and she doesn’t feel she can do much about any of it. But she can make a difference. We all can.
I can understand how she feels; I can empathize with her sense of discouragement, her wish to be distracted from the evils of racism, the horrors of war, the barbarism of torture. But ignoring the problems won’t lead to peace of mind or safety or a future for our children and grandchildren.
As 2014 ends, and we move into a new year with new possibilities to make a difference, Engaging Peace offers reminders of some of the more positive posts of the past year—the beacons of hope and the guides for the new year.
January 2, 2014. We rang in the New Year with appreciation for the work of non-profits resisting war, combating arms proliferation, and promoting peace and nonviolence. http://engagingpeace.com/?p=7466
January 20, 2014. The post “I, too, have a dream” celebrated Martin Luther King Day. http://engagingpeace.com/?p=7515
January 23, 2014. Guest author Sununda Sharma reminded us that heroism is not out of the reach of a young girl: http://engagingpeace.com/?p=7524
February 16, 2014. Dot Walsh took us along with “Mandela: Long walk to freedom.” http://engagingpeace.com/?p=7586
February 17, 2014. We honored a modern peace president: http://engagingpeace.com/?p=7610
March 27, 2014. Guest author Ian Hansen began a series on whether nonviolent resistance works: http://engagingpeace.com/?p=7704
April 7, 2014. This post raised the question: Is paying taxes is a war crime?: http://engagingpeace.com/?p=7704.
April 10, 2014. We suggested that organizations, like individuals, can be morally engaged and nominate a few exemplars: http://engagingpeace.com/?p=7771
Those examples of individuals and groups working for peace and social justice come from fewer than six months’ worth of engaging peace posts. Join their efforts in 2015. Engage in resistance to violence, racism, and other forms of social injustice. That’s one way to get to feel better.