Monday – none of us like Mondays. The weekend is over and it’s back to the daily grind for the next five days.

However, I have to admit that for once, I was excited for a Monday to come. Why , you ask? Well, because this past Monday, September 21, was International Day of Peace, a day that’s meant to remember the efforts of citizens, communities, governments, and nations to reduce conflict and promote peace. I was really pumped up for the day because my colleague, Jenny, and I had embarked on a campaign to get all of our supporters to wear a blue shirt in order to reflect our dedication to promoting peace around the world. I even made badges for the employees in our office explaining that we were wearing blue for that purpose.

Altogether, the effort went fairly well and we had a great show of support through the International Day of Peace event that we organized on Facebook. Next year, however, I think we’ll try something that makes a bit more of a statement. The badges explaining the blue shirt were a good idea, but strangers informed me throughout the day that I was still wearing my nametag! Though this was a little embarrassing, it actually got me thinking. It’s great to wear a blue shirt and try to get people to notice what you’re doing. But is it actually helping? As I sat at my desk, I also began contemplating Jenny who was out serving her community through her participation in that delightful activity we like to call jury-duty.

Just like Mondays, we all dread jury-duty and we all try to avoid it at any cost. Jenny’s attitude was different though; she was excited to go through the process and be an active part of the justice system. The more I reflected on Jenny’s positive approach towards what many would deem a very inconvenient situation, I began to realize that this example really embodies the spirit of International Day of Peace. What if we were all as excited to serve our community in a way that contributes to the perpetuation of a peaceful society? If we were all as willing to participate so freely, perhaps there wouldn’t be as many places where a peaceful existence is nothing more than a dream. Our example is, for many, what provides that dream and gives others the hope that they will one day achieve a peaceful life where their pursuits consist of more than just simply surviving.

So, my resolution for next year is to become more engaged in my community. And when I get called for jury duty, I’m going to get pumped!

Jane