Non-violence is a permanent attitude we bring to the breakfast

Host: The morning light filtered softly through the kitchen window, casting long, gentle shadows on the polished wooden table. The room smelled of freshly brewed coffee and warm toast, the sound of the kettle whistling faintly in the background. Jeeny sat across from Jack, both of them still in their sleepwear, the quiet of the morning stretching between them. Jeeny stirred her coffee slowly, her movements calm and deliberate, while Jack absentmindedly flipped through a newspaper, the rustle of the paper filling the otherwise silent room.

The stillness was interrupted only by the sound of birds outside, singing in the early dawn, and a soft hum of the refrigerator.

Jeeny: “I’ve been thinking a lot about non-violence lately. Not just in big, dramatic moments, but in the small, everyday things.”

Jack: “Non-violence? What’s there to think about? You just don’t hit people, right?”

Host: Jeeny looked up at him, her eyes focused, but soft, as though she were reflecting on something that went deeper than just words.

Jeeny: “It’s more than that, Jack. Coretta Scott King once said, ‘Non-violence is a permanent attitude we bring to the breakfast table and bring to bed at night.’ It’s not just about avoiding violence. It’s about bringing peace into the small moments, the daily interactions. It’s an attitude that shapes how we live.”

Jack: “So, you’re saying non-violence is something we just carry around with us, like some kind of invisible weight? It’s not just about avoiding the big stuff—like fighting or harming others—but about the way we think, too?”

Host: Jeeny’s fingers traced the edge of her cup, her gaze thoughtful, her voice gentle yet firm.

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about the energy we bring into every moment, Jack. It’s about the way we interact, whether we’re at the breakfast table or having a disagreement with someone. It’s the patience we show, the kindness, the way we choose to respond instead of react.”

Jack: “I get that. But let’s be real—sometimes people just push your buttons, you know? It’s easy to say we should always be calm, but it’s not always that simple. We’re human. Things happen. You can’t always just choose to be peaceful.”

Host: The air seemed to hum with the tension between them. The light from the window bathed the room in a soft glow, and Jeeny looked at Jack with a mixture of understanding and quiet determination.

Jeeny: “I know it’s not always easy. We’re all going to have moments of anger, of frustration. But non-violence is not about being perfect—it’s about the intent behind what we do. It’s about taking a step back before reacting, and choosing to act with love, compassion, and respect.”

Jack: “But what about when someone’s just in your face? You can’t be non-violent in the middle of that. What if you’re just defending yourself?”

Host: Jeeny’s expression softened, and she leaned forward, her eyes steady as she spoke again, this time with quiet resolve.

Jeeny: “Non-violence doesn’t mean letting yourself be walked all over. It’s about how you choose to respond. You can defend yourself without resorting to violence. Non-violence doesn’t mean being passive; it means finding a way to stand firm in your beliefs, but still maintain your peace. It’s a mindset, a practice that you carry with you—whether you’re facing conflict or simply getting through the small moments of the day.”

Jack: “I don’t know. In some cases, that just feels like you’re allowing people to take advantage of you. You can’t always be calm when people are pushing you around.”

Host: The room felt quieter, the air heavier now, as if the weight of the words had settled deeper into their conversation. Jeeny took a slow breath, her voice calm but deeply convicted.

Jeeny: “It’s not about letting people push you around. Non-violence is about maintaining your own dignity, even in the face of aggression. It’s about choosing to respond with respect, even when others don’t deserve it. It’s about finding that place inside yourself that remains steady, no matter what happens around you.”

Jack: “But what if you just get tired of always being the bigger person? It’s exhausting, you know?”

Host: Jeeny’s eyes softened as she leaned back, her expression more gentle, almost reflective.

Jeeny: “I understand that, Jack. It’s hard. But I think Coretta Scott King was onto something. Non-violence doesn’t mean you never feel frustration or anger—it means that, despite those feelings, you choose to bring a spirit of peace into your actions. It’s an ongoing process, not a one-time choice. It’s something you bring to every moment.”

Jack: “I think I get it now. It’s more about how we approach every interaction, right? It’s not about just the big things, but how we choose to live day by day. Non-violence is a way of carrying yourself, a mindset.”

Host: Jeeny’s smile was gentle, the weight of the conversation beginning to lift, as if a realization had settled into the space between them. The rain outside had softened, and the light in the room felt warmer, more peaceful.

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about the choices we make every day—how we choose to bring peace to the table, to our interactions, and even to our own minds. It’s a practice, Jack, not just something you think about when it’s convenient.”

Jack: “I think I can live with that. It’s a good way to look at things—non-violence as a way of life, not just a reaction to the big moments.”

Host: The quiet between them felt comfortable now, no longer heavy, but filled with an unspoken understanding. The morning continued to unfold outside, the stillness settling into the room, as both of them reflected on the deeper meaning of peace—not just in the world around them, but in themselves as well.