Sometimes it never gets named at all. Many of these events are spontaneous acts of peacemaking, meaning someone spontaneously chooses to momentarily assist a person or animal out of a disadvantaged situation. The more of these behaviors that happen, the better. But they are different than a “conscious” act of peacemaking.

A Conscious Act of Peacemaking takes longer and lasts longer than a spontaneous act of peacemaking. It is mindfully choosing to work alongside another, to level the playing field of opportunities, so they can empower  themselves into a place of equal choices and equal respect. It is working with someone, not for them, not fixing them. It is an opportunity identified,  agreement given, and daily commitment made to continue on. Often challenges have to be overcome, together.

The rewards for doing a Conscious Act of Peacemaking are often greater and longer lasting than for doing a spontaneous act of peacemaking. It is life changing for both parties. Mutual respect is the main guideline for how to proceed. Your connection will be deeply felt. You don’t have to be famous to be unforgettable.

Perhaps you remember seeing a Conscious Act of Peacemaking done by someone. Use the Submit Your Story form to tell the story of such an act, and name it a Conscious Act of Peacemaking. This will not only serve as a beacon for others to remember similar happenings, but it can remind us that we are living in a world that is full of peacemakers even though the violence makers get more press.

Perhaps, in the course of reading the women’s stories, and reviewing the description of what this kind of peacemaking looks like, you remember something you did in the past that qualifies as a Conscious Act of Peacemaking, even though those words were never used to describe what happened. This is an opportunity to submit your story in a page or two, rename it as an act of Conscious Peacemaking, and even more important, to call yourself a Conscious Peacemaker.

This might be harder to do than you expect. Often people feel that calling themselves a Peacemaker is presumptuous. I call it courageous, truthful and necessary. Our world today needs every Conscious Peacemaker we have the fortitude to give it.