The woman who had been punched ran after her assailant screaming that she was calling the cops and came running back into the store desperately asking if anyone had witnessed what happened. Everyone, including the clerks stood dumbfounded and silent – except me. I raised my hand and said, I saw it – I’ll be your witness.  She asked me to please stay there while she went and took a photo of the other women’s license plate and called the police.

Next thing I know, Nathan, the clerk with a shaved head and giant nose ring through his entire nose put a bunch of roses in my cart… a simple gesture to say thank you for helping out – without saying a word. I was touched.

I went outside to listen to Jenny, the women who had been punched, tell me the whole story – of how the other women had “road rage” and the threats that went back and forth over a parking spot. I pointed out the peace design on my shirt and told her I work with an organization called Kids for Peace. She was curious. I gave her my card and after agreeing that no one had the right to physical hit another, I told her that the first line of our peace pledge is “I pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way.” She immediately shifted from anger and blame to: “I shouldn’t have called her “fatty, etc…”.  I gave her a hug and told her she could have the police call me.

As I was walking to my car, Nathan, the clerk appeared. I thanked him again for the roses and I asked if I could give him a hug.

For me and a few others, “peace” trumped the violence today at Trader Joe’s.

Kids For Peace Pledge
I pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way.
I pledge to help others as I go throughout my day.
I pledge to care for our earth with my healing heart and hands.
I pledge to respect people in each and every land.
I pledge to join together as we unite the big and small.
I pledge to do my part to create peace for one and all.

www.KidsforPeaceUSA.org

Uplifting Our World Through Love and Action

From Donna’s travel journal, written in Lombock, Indonesia, 1996

“Its when you’re safe at home that you wish you were having an adventure. When you’re having an adventure, you wish you were safe at home.”                – Thornton Wilder

The Secret of Life… is in knowing and believing in ourselves…The rest is just figuring out how to make use of the talents we were born with.

The Secret of Life… is in giving what we know to help others realize.

by Donna Pinto, December 11, 1996 ~ Bali, Indonesia

is not what kind of car you drive or how big your house is.  It’s not where you went to school or what degree you earned.  It is not your resume, your title or  your salary. And it is surely not who you know.

What matters most…

is not your age, your weight or what you look like.  It’s not your country or religion or the color of your skin.

You see, what matters most is not what you have, it’s what you GIVE.

 by Donna Pinto,  Bali,  Indonesia, December 11, 1996

to depths within ~

where your heart can see.

There’s a place you must go; A voice you must hear ~

for the bird who flies hasn’t worry or fear.

As you step to the edge

and spread your wings wide ~

don’t be concerned about how good you will fly.

With a leap of faith, just let yourself go,

to the place you imagine ~

where passions flow.

Describe what you feel; say what you must ~

for emotions run deep within each of us.

It’s like dancing or singing or riding a bike;

remember there’s no two people exactly alike.

So don’t compare and look all around;

If you’re too busy looking, you won’t hear a sound.

Believe with your heart and have peace of mind ~

your soul will emerge from not far behind.

A light will go on; it’ll all become clear ~

You’ll feel as though the words just appear.

~ inspired upon sunrise at Padingbai Beach, Bali — December 14th, 1996

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

This is my resolution…what’s yours?

Interestingly my favorite quote was cut from the last page of my book “Cheatnotes on Life” and I have always wished it was included…It’s like my final and most important “cheatnote” is missing.  It is actually two passages from my all-time favorite book — “Illusions” by Richard Bach – a book that changed my entire perspective on life, death and so-called tragedies and injustice. 

“Don’t be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes,  is certain for those who are friends…

…The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly.”

I read ”Illusions” shortly after my friend Lynette died in a car accident in 1981 that I miraculously survived.  We were only 15 — invincible, or so we thought.  Nothing else made any sense to me following Lynette’s death, but somehow the words in the book “Illusions” did. I have since read many wonderful spiritual books, yet this one touched me in such a profound way when I needed it most. Amazing how the universe presents us with exactly what we need to hear… when we are awakened, called or ready to listen.