"Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." --Martin Luther King

Our children will inherit an increasingly complex and diverse world. If our vision for our children, and for all children, is wholeness and fullness of life, we must teach them to care for themselves and to care for others.

Mutual respect is our best and only hope for a world at peace.

Much of popular culture glamorizes disrespectful and uncaring behavior. Television programs thrive on physical and verbal violence; reality shows emphasize the poorest human qualities. Even the nightly news airs a political campaign which has become increasingly disrespectful. Video games turn acts of violence in to entertainment in a way that would have been unacceptable only a generation ago.

We need to challenge each other to say “No Thanks” to the disrespectful influences in our lives and in our children’s lives. We can begin by modeling caring and respectful behavior to our children. Behaving as we want them to behave lifts us while teaching them. By surrounding our children with care and respect, they learn to care for and respect themselves and others.

This is the road that leads to peace, joy, hope and love…for us all.