On Sept. 7, 2001, the United Nations passed a resolution to make Sept. 21 the International Day of Peace. This was the outcome of one person living his values: Jeremy Gilley.

He campaigned tirelessly for four years with students and peace activists, presidents, dignitaries and leaders around the world to make the International Day of Peace a fixed, memorable day instead of the variable, forgettable day previously established in 1981.

As a result, the International Day of Peace is now celebrated by people all over the world, and is expanding its reach every year. There are proclamations, ringing of bells, prayers and meditations, concerts and festivals, and many people take a moment of silence at noon. This day brings forth the longing for not only peace but also the prosperity and security that follows peace and supports an upward spiral of peace. Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you is not just idealism; it is extremely practical.

I believe the more conscious we are of our subtle and deeply held spiritual values, the more our behavior becomes congruent with them. I think this kind of integrity is what sustained Jeremy on the long journey to his goal (you can read more about Gilley at www.csmonitor.com/2009/0629/p47s01-lign.html). His expression of his longing for peace inspires us. Now it is our turn. Peace can be contagious. So can violence, so much so that the Centers for Disease Control consider it to be a public health epidemic.

So why not create an infectious habit of taking the B-9 (benign) vitamin, Peace? Peace for 365 days can start with one day and one person’s integrity. While we understand the temptation to be cynical and believe peace is impossible, we can simultaneously put in the effort to learn how to remain in a difficult conversation instead of shutting down or lashing out to be in control. Making this effort to build a world that meets everyone’s needs just might infect someone else with the peace bug.

Alex Karras said: “It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more ‘manhood’ to abide by thought-out principles rather than blind reflex. Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind.”

I have survived many forms of personal and systemic violence; I have become violent myself, and I now have some understanding of violence. I call myself a recovering violent person because I have seen my violence originate from fear of conflict, fear of not being accepted.

As I look at my own fears, I see that they are so much like those of the people I fear that fear becomes ridiculous. When I can laugh at myself, then I can be at peace with others. I am also compelled to work for peace from the deepest stirrings of my heart and soul. There is no going back. If I can do it, you can do it. If we can do it, our entire culture can create an International Day of Peace every day.

David Hazen is state coordinator for the Department of Peace campaign and imagineer for the Eugene City of Peace movement. This column is coordinated by Lane Interfaith Alliance to offer inspiration, share personal spiritual experiences and bring a deeper understanding of individual faith perspectives with the intention of blessing our community and world. For information, visit www.laneinterfaithalliance.org or call 344-5693.