Peace - Young Adults - Values Education for Children and Young Adults

Peace - Living Values Activities for Young Adults

Excerpts from LVE's Living Values Activities for Young Adults

Young adults can think about the following or do these activities alone or in cooperation with their parents or friends.

Reflection Point:
* Peace must begin with each one of us. Through quiet and serious reflection on its meaning, new and creative ways can be found to foster understanding, friendships and cooperation among all peoples. Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations

You Do Make a Difference
The world is an awful place for millions of people. There is corruption, cruelty, prejudice, and horrible poverty. There is a saying that everything is born in the mind of men - as humans we create the bad - and the good. People can and do make a difference. For the negativity to continue - we need do nothing. It takes real courage to think about what is going on - and change the intensity of your dislike of the negativity into determination to change it. Each one of you can contribute toward a better world.

Make Your Dream Closer to Reality:
Imagine the world and the way you want it to be. How do you want to feel inside? How do you want your relationships to be? What do you want your environment and the environment of the world to be like? Do one small thing to make your home, self, relationships, or the environment closer to the world you would like. Do something else together with a friend or relative.

Be Peaceful!
Enjoy the following Relaxation/Focusing Exercise: "One way to be peaceful is to be silent inside. For a few moments, think of the stars and imagine yourselves to be just like them. They are so beautiful in the sky, and they sparkle and shine. They are so quiet and peaceful. Let the body be still . . . Relax your toes and legs . . . Relax your stomach . . . and your shoulders . . . Relax your arms . . . and your face . . . let the feeling of being peaceful emerge . . . let a soft light of peace surround you . . . Inside you are like a beautiful little star . . . You, the tiny star inside, are full of peaceful light . . . Relax into that light of peace and love . . . Let the self be still and peaceful inside . . . You are focused . . . concentrated . . . Whenever you want to feel peaceful inside, you can become still . . . content . . . a star of peace."

Spend time every morning feeling peaceful. Does it effect your entire day?

Conflict Resolution and Listening
Sometimes people do things that interfere with solving a problem.

Blockers and Stoppers

Blaming
Name calling -- Telling the person he or she is silly or stupid
Interrupting
Accusing
Contradicting
Trying to make him or her feel guilty
Getting angry because the other person is angry
Giving solutions

For effective listening, it is important to do two things:

genuinely pay attention to every word the person is saying, and
let them know that you understand what he or she is saying.

How do you feel when someone really listens to you?
Have you noticed that anger automatically starts to decrease when a person is genuinely listened to?
What makes it difficult to listen?
What makes it easy to listen?
How is really listening giving respect?

Express Peace Artistically -- Design a Peace Garden Wall Hanging
Think about the colors and shapes that would create feelings of peace and gentleness. Express those feelings on paper or fabric using a variety of available materials. Work directly from nature if possible.

Excerpts from Living Values Activities for Children and Peace Ideas at Home for Parents
Ages 8-14 | Ages 3-7

Focusing on the Value of Peace!