Don’t you think that the sound of violence has been too loud for too long? Don’t you think its time for the sound of peace to now become louder than ever?

How many more innocent lives will it take for us to realize that peace is not something that some government agency or a few government officials or school administration or other organizations can provide? Peace starts with me. We as individuals have to rise up and start making a difference – first within us and then outside us, in our immediate environment, and gradually expand to larger communities.

The thought had been on my mind for a while, actually ever since I started hearing stories of domestic violence and burglaries in my neighborhood. A neighborhood that I thought was quite peaceful and had only good educated middle class people. And when my husband was traveling I realized how stressed I was about mine and my child’s safety. I had sleepless nights leading to more and more stress. Had I not had a way of controlling this stress, it could have manifested in anything, from some major illness to perhaps acts of violence on my part too (towards some member of my family or neighborhood, irrational reaction to some situation causing irreparable damage to some relationship or something worse).

Thankfully I have a breathing technique and a meditation technique that I practice, which keeps me sane. But, what about all those who don’t have anything to fall back on? Hence, when I saw that the non-profit organization Art of Living Foundation has launched a campaign for Stress-Free, Violence-Free Community, I jumped up and joined it. By being part of the campaign we get to not only start taking a step towards making ourselves and our community peaceful, but we also get a chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with thousands of others who feel the same way – that its high time the voice of peace became louder!

We can start with just getting to know our neighbors. Do we really know who lives next door to us, or down the street? Perhaps they are going through similar stresses as you and need help. Or they have another way of dealing with stress that may help you. In any case, just knowing your neighbors will help you look out for each other. Wouldn’t that automatically create a more stress-free and violence-free neighborhood?

We will all come together on March 24 at San Jose Convention Center to reiterate our commitment to a Stress-Free and Violence-Free Community, and we will be joined by many other organizations, government representatives, city officials, non-profit organizations and humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. A coalition of all the like-minded organizations and city governments will be launched and the campaign will go into its next phase of taking positive action through this coalition.

Anyone is welcome to join the campaign at www.stressfreeviolencefree.org. The road to peace begins with me.