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Nonviolence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty sentimentalism. It is the active outpouring of one’s whole being into the being of another.
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1957 April 4th brings the 17th Annual Season for Nonviolence event to a close. This annual 64 day campaign, co-founded in 1998 by Dr. Arun Gandhi and The Association for Global New Thought (AGNT), spanning from January 30th – April 4th, the memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a time when focus is brought to the philosophy of attaining peace through nonviolent action. It is so wonderful to honor these profound wayshowers as well as recognize that living from a consciousness of peace, love, compassion, empathy, nonviolence, forgiveness and reconciliation is an everyday practice not an event..
There is no greater crucible for the practice of nonviolence, peace and compassion than partnering and co-parenting. I heard a mom say recently that, “world peace begins at home.” I am in complete agreement, however, how many people can say that they grew up in families where peace, love, compassion, kindness, generosity, empathy and connected communication was practiced?
Being in relationship is a work of the heart. It is a deeply spiritual practice. I often joke that it’s like putting miracle grow on the places within us that are seeking nurturing, loving and healing. Add a child or children to the mix and parenting becomes a whole different adventure. There’s nothing more heartrending than seeing the crumpled face and fear in your child’s eyes when you and partner fight in front of them or lash out at them in anger. Every child wants their parents to get along. It hurts them deeply when they see and hear their parents being hurtful to one another. The impact of parents not getting along on children is something that takes a long time to transcend. A child begins to believe about themselves what they see and hear in their house from their parents and it becomes their inner voice. Here are some questions to consider:
If you answered YES to any of these questions, join me, Sunday, April 6, 2:30-4:30pm at the Agape International Spiritual Center where we will explore the 4 Keys to Co-Parenting Peacefully.
The bliss, ecstasy and everything falling into place that we see unfold in tv shows and movies doesn’t typically occur off the screen. Real life relating can be messy and unpredictable. Even, and, especially, when you’re on a spiritual path. It can be mystifying how calm and centered you might be in your meditation or at your spiritual community yet one wrong word or look from your partner and it’s like kerosene to your being and you flip your lid. When family of origin issues emerge, you may find yourself communicating in ways that are ineffective and combative. This doesn’t mean that you’re bad and wrong or that the person you’re with is bad or wrong. It’s just an indication that deeper work is calling us forth. Most of us weren’t shown how to have healthy, conscious, intimate relationships. Most clients I sit with didn’t grow up seeing conflicts resolved through compassionate, connected communication. And, like it or not, what we don’t address, and, embrace, we usually repeat.
If you’d like to experience greater peace in your co-parenting relationship and in your relating, join me for the 4 Keys to Co-Parent Peacefully presentation Sunday, April 6, 2:30-4:30, at the monthly Parenting Ministry meeting at the Agape International Spiritual Center, 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, 90230.
You will leave with:
This is an adults only workshop. Love donations are welcome. Childcare will be offered at $5 per child. You must RSVP so that we are sure to have childcare. RSVP: parentingministry@agapelive.com
Until next time, know that you are powerful beyond measure and loved beyond description.
Peace and many blessings,
 Director, Agape Parenting Ministry
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4 Keys to Co-parenting Peacefully
