I've just joined my first union! Given how left I lean, it's shocking that I've reached this age without being in one before. And now I think harder, I have been in credit unions so it's not technically my first.
This isn't a workplace one either. Maybe because the places I've worked have mainly been left leaning anyway, I've not felt the need? My current employer birthed the Labour party, which I was excited to discover.
Anyway back to my new union. I've finally got round to joining the Peace Pledge Union, and it does feel good to belong to it. It feels like it has made my pacifism more official, and less isolated. I've long been committed to peace and believe we can all take personal steps in bringing that about. So for example, I long ago decided that I would try really hard to be an ending place of hurt rather than perpetuate it. That means when someone lashes out at me I do all I can to not retaliate. If we all did that we'd have world peace in no time : D
There's been much said about peace over the weekend, but like everything, I don't think it just happens with wishful thinking. It requires actual action. Intentionality. Hard and sometimes painful work. No wonder we'd sometimes rather wish it into being rather than Make It Happen. I'm proud to know loads of people who are actively bringing about peace in ways that don't make headlines but do make a difference :-)
