I have compiled a Top 10 List of “Things YOU can do to create World Peace, and for the next ten months will explore one item in detail, working our way from #10 to #1. This list contains input from people all over the United States via website submissions and those received at various speaking and book-signing venues.

Last month, we looked at #10 on the TOP 10 List which was PLAY and we discussed the importance of adding play into your life on a daily basis. Please see archives if you would like to explore that topic in more detail.

Now for #9 on the TOP 10 list which is…Be Accountable.

“Oh, I thought this list was going to be light hearted and fun. It started out with Play, and now we move to Being Accountable,” you may be thinking. “That’s not very fun.” Being accountable is about walking the walk not just talking the talk. I’d first like to share an experience that I had, not on purpose, shortly after September 11th.

I created a bumper sticker to advertise a book I had just finished titled Peaceful Earth. I put the words: Peaceful Earth/Peaceful Person on a bumper sticker along with the website so that people could order the book.

I placed this sticker on top of the rear window of the car, and I could actually see it while driving, looking through the rear view mirror.

One day while in traffic, someone rudely cut in front of me. My hands clenched the steering wheel, my knuckles became white, my jaw tightened, my mouth opened, I was about to yell… when I looked up and saw the sticker Peaceful Earth/Peaceful Person.

Then I realized how I was showing up in the world. How would that look to be sporting a Peaceful person bumper sticker and yelling at someone?

That’s when the realization came to me that maintaining inner peace and loving relationships is something we have to work at on a daily basis, and that part of that experience includes holding ourselves accountable for the way we show up in the world.

What would you think if someone told you they saw Gandhi yelling at someone who didn’t agree with his mission? Can you imagine Mother Teresa losing her temper? Or what if the Dalai Lama was seen bad mouthing or cursing groups of people?

We are all human, and yes I’m sure Gandhi, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama have their moments, but for the most part, they walk their talk. They continually and persistently have showed up “being” what they are “asking us to be.”

I have created bumper stickers that encourage us to be accountable. The first one was mentioned earlier…Peaceful Earth/Peaceful Person. But, I have another one that says, “I’m a Peacemaker.” I have an information sheet setting out with them that explains the story above which I have coined the “Peace Challenge.” The Peace Challenge is when you put a bumper sticker on your car like those listed above, or wear a pin, or t-shirt that claims you are a Peaceful Person or a Peacemaker, and then pay attention to your actions. It’s a very interesting and revealing assignment.

The reason I bring this up is because I think it’s interesting to note that out of all the speaking engagements and book-signing venues I have been to throughout this year, few people take the “I’m a Peacemaker” bumper sticker. In fact, time and time again I have heard statements like, “I wouldn’t go that far to say I was a Peacemaker,” or “I couldn’t live up to that.” Yet most of the people who say this are the ones who actively believe that in order to create world peace we must exude inner peace. Many of us know this as a spiritual Truth; we sometimes just don’t physically exemplify our beliefs.

We all know that the best way to lead is by way of example. The way in which we live our daily lives our greatest example to the world.

Let’s hold ourselves accountable for “being” peace. Do this by telling someone about your intent to be a Peacemaker, or to be a spiritual being of light and love, and team up with them to help one another be accountable for your actions.

Or, take the Peace Challenge by placing a bumper sticker on your car claiming your intention. Or wear a pin, or t-shirt.

Pay attention to your actions and see if they are consistent with the results that you want. And remember that while we are all human and have moments in which we don’t “show up” the way we wanted to, it is the continual and consistent practice that will keep us on the road of “walking our talk.”

© Lisa Hepner
Life Channels Staff Writer
All Rights Reserved

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