Portrait of a Peacemaker: Mahatma Gandhi

“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.”
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.”
“I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.”
“Without action, you aren’t going anywhere.”

The term peacemaker is synonymous with the name Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi. With his upcoming birthday on October 2nd, we are reminded to look back at his inspirational life. “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” This quote from Gandhi perfectly depicts his lifelong goal, as well as his invitation for us to create change. He lived by those words, he lead by example, and above all promoted peace.

Inequality and injustice troubled Gandhi from an early age. He strongly believed in the importance of equality and made it his mission to correct the imbalances he saw. He did so by leading numerous peaceful protests throughout his life, which followed his teaching of satiagraha, insistence on truth. There is a set of guidelines associated with satiagraha, all with peace as an underlying theme. When people saw the good that was achieved through these nonviolent actions, they gave Gandhi the title Mahatma, which means Great Soul.

Gandhi dedicated his life to promoting and peacefully fighting for equality. He gave his time and eventually his life to create a better world. He truly was the change he wished to see in the world and was able to successfully implement those changes. His practice of satiagraha has inspired countless others to live a life of peace. They have joined in his success of changing the world through peaceful methods. Imagine the opportunities for change you wish to see in your daily life. The guidelines of satiagraha are easy to incorporate. Peace can resolve the biggest conflicts as well as minor every-day struggles. Peace can improve the way you view the world.

Try implementing peaceful actions into your daily life. Use peaceful actions to solve conflict. Maintain peace when others test your patience.  See how even the smallest offering of peace can create change in the world around you.