The Preschool Times

I saw the most amazing picture last week. It was a photograph of a demonstration contesting the results of the Iranian election. There in the square stood over 100,000 people all with the same goal in mind; to turn their theocratically run government onto a different path.

I couldn’t help but think, “Yes that’s it”. They are tired of the blood shed, inequality and corruption of their government and they are standing, (with great physical risk) to be counted. They are the ripple in the water, sending their energy out to the universe. They stand for peace. In an era where so much looks dismal and violence has become the rule rather then the exception. A society which has adhered to some of the strictest tribal rulings known to man, says “no more”. They stand with a tidal wave of status quo waiting to descend on them, and they say no more. It was the purest form of democracy.

It was inspiring! Perhaps the momentum will spread to South Africa where women, children, and men are being slaughtered on an hourly basis. Maybe they will hear the call and stand together against the violence being doled out by whichever tribe is in current power. Maybe we will hear their voices.

Maybe we will stand as a community and say no more. No more violence against women and children. No more violence against man and animal. No more.

We need to stand as a community to instill in our children the power to stand for what is right. It is not OK for a parent to harm a child or spouse. It is not OK for society to turn a blind eye to the violence that has become all too prevalent in our homes, televisions and communities.

It is not OK for parent’s to excuse their child’s improper behavior because they don’t want them to suffer the consequences of their actions. There is right and there is wrong and if that is too difficult then there is the tenet of “Do no harm”. At the very least we should expect ourselves, our children and our society to “Do no harm”.

When we stray from this basic humanistic philosophy, there should be consequences. No more excuses for our failings. The world is depending on us to help set the bar. We as a people can not stand idly aside when there is violence in our homes, schools, cities and nation. We must stand for peace, in our mind and our deed. And we must hold ourselves accountable for our failings.  

No more parents in the principal’s office, telling the principal he is picking on their kid. I’ve been a principal; if only we had the time to pick on a kid. You are in the office because your child needs you to help them make better choices. The time has come to hold ourselves, our families and our nation accountable.

Let’s say no to violence. Let’s stand together. When you ask me what I want for my birthday…it is and always will be Global Peace.

Peace & Light,

Grace