Quote of the day #2 – Gandhi

When I saw the movie, Gandhi, about 100 years ago, it had a huge impact on me. I was unaware that Mahatma Gandhi had experienced discrimination in South Africa amongst thousands of others. The magnitude and strength of his character enthralls me. Not only was he able to control his own emotions and mind in order to be true to his values, but the sheer magnetism of his will spread to others. His influence was vast; he changed thousands of lives through his doctrine of non-violence.

Gandhi’s life and teachings guided non-violent movements in the 1960’s in the civil rights’ movement, as well as the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa—where he experienced racism first hand.

Non-violence is a constructive guide for all approaches to dealings within our families, neighbourhoods, schools, communities, religions and our nation’s approach to the difficulties encountered internationally.

Whenever I have the chance to speak with children about settling differences, I speak to them about what makes humans different from other animals: our ability to communicate and reason. Instead of reaching for the weapon of choice, name-calling or that age-old retaliation trigger that ‘justifies’ more aggression—let’s try to be intelligent and creatively work out solutions that don’t involve bloodshed.