"Our uniqueness, our individuality, and our life experience molds us into fascinating beings. I hope we can embrace that. I pray we may all challenge ourselves to delve into the deepest resources of our hearts to cultivate an atmosphere of understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and compassion. We are all in this life
together."
~ Linda Thompson
Dear fascinating beings,
How might we cultivate within ourselves and in our communities an atmosphere of acceptance and kindness?
I'd like to offer an idea that is simple to implement yet potentially very powerful in effect.
Have you noticed anyone in your area wearing a safety pin on their clothing? Or have you heard about this new but growing practice?
I first read about it several months
ago as a practice that was growing in the U.K. as a response to a rise in hate crimes there.
It is now beginning to spread in the U.S.
A safety pin is attached on a lapel or any readily visible place on a shirt or jacket.
Wearing the little pin roughly says "Being with me is safe. I respect you. I'll stand by you. I want you to be safe."
So when we are out and about - maybe on a subway or a street or at
a gas station or a mall - a person who may be discriminated against can see us, approach us, and simply stand near.
Or, we can be proactive and stand by someone of a race, color, creed, culture, etc...who is suddenly more vulnerable to being bullied.
Even if we don't have the opportunity to be of service in this way, the simple wearing of the safety pin says that we believe in respect, dignity, freedom, equality and safety for all.
Wearing the pin shows that we
are standing up for this belief and that we are taking action in a peaceful and loving way.
Together and alone, each in our own way and in many ways, let's stand for love rather than stand against hate.
With courage,
Charlene
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