~ Children growing up in that era would experience a childhood of nonviolence and start to learn nonviolence as a habit, drastically changing the outlook and actions of a whole generation and those they pass it on to.

~ We could gain a new sense of the possibility of creating a world that truly respects humanity, AND we could gain confidence in our effectiveness as peacemakers.

~ Ten years dedicated to nonviolence could: (a) See the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban passed and observed; (b) Eliminate Star Wars funding and thinking; (c) Greatly reduce military expenditures; (d) Eliminate homelessness; (e) Arrange universal basic health care coverage; (f) Substitute international present monetary policies with ones which are just and help every person have a fine quality of life; (g) Fund and staff excellent schools for all children; (h) Arrange adequate food for all persons.

~ We would learn to speak and listen to each other, knowing that our Olympia (or Seattle or Kent or Tacoma or wherever) neighborhood has a direct connection to every other village on the planet, without the external influence of demeaning violence.

~ We could redirect our resources to improving the human condition -- in learning better how to improve those life-threatening forces of the world's poor and the true quality of life of the world's rich and begin doing it. We could make sustainability a growing reality.

~ A commitment to nonviolence would make crystal clear that nuclear weapons have no further use in the world. Then we could get serious about test bans, disarmament negotiations, cleaning up nuclear waste (i.e., trying to contain it), and commit to NO further development of weapons of mass destruction.

~ I think of all the prisons that won't be built, all the arms we didn't manufacture, and use the money to fund cures for AIDS, malaria, and starvation in poor countries as well as the poor in the U.S.

~ It has the potential to reduce domestic violence and street (drug-related) crime, and to promote non-military solutions to international conflict.

~ Every human would FEEL the love and goodness that radiates when hatred is overcome with love and good overcomes evil. Everyone will experience a revitalizing sense of peace and calmness -- and therefore fewer heart attacks, lower blood pressure, more smiles, fewer illnesses, more laughter, more children in the streets, more women walking alone in the night, more food to Third World countries because less money to military, more hugs, more elders comfortable with youth, and an increase in the awareness of our Mother Earth and all our connectedness.

~ In a decade we could make substantial progress toward universal disarmament and complete demilitarization worldwide!

~ Ten years of training and awareness of nonviolence would make us care more about ourselves, our families, co-workers, and others outside our little circle because we would have a mind-set not to hurt, exploit, or even slight others. We would understand that hurting one hurts all, little by little.

~ A ten-year commitment at this stage can come only from individuals, for governments and corporations are not interested in nonviolence because there is no money to be made (by their standards). As individuals I cannot predict what would happen or change because I feel most individuals are mostly nonviolent. No, I take that back. A ten-year commitment to nonviolence by individuals would, I feel, help healing and communication on personal and community levels. There would be less hatred, violence, racism, homophobia, rape and abuse. People would slowly begin to trust their fellow humans and would begin to open up to the power of healing and love.

Another important aspect of nonviolence that a lot of members of the nonviolence movement do not seem to take into consideration at this stage is our treatment of all life -- the animals and ecosystems around us. To truly come from a solid basis and understanding of nonviolence would mean to extrapolate to all life forms that which we expect from our fellow humans. If so, then so much more could be possible in ten years: everyone could strive to be vegan, thus sparing the lives of billions of animals who endure misery for our palates. No more hunting, circuses, trapping, fur coats, rodeos, etc.

Also, in ten years, if really dedicated, we could all stop driving cars. Fewer roads would be needed that destroy habitat and lead to urban sprawl, less pollution, fewer accidents, less extraction and usage of minerals that need governments to defend and exploit.

In ten years, we could form local sustainable communities. We could create lots of music and ritual. We could provide positive examples. We could forgive foreign debts. We could educate about the numerous benefits of population control, for if nonviolence is this much of a challenge on a globe of 6 billion people, it's only going to be harder in ten more years when we have 6 billion people all competing for rapidly dwindling resources.

In ten years, hopefully we will learn that all life is sacred, that we need emotional and spiritual healing and cleansing, and that we, every sentient being, are all connected. Only when we operate from that knowledge will true peace be possible.

~ Spread the word and work to create some kind of youth awareness/outreach program. Practice all that I preach by acting nonviolent toward myself, physically and emotionally. Encourage others to do the same.

~ Understand, promote and assist the regional Decade NV training network now being formed.

~ Work hard within my church family to create a Zone of Peace.

~ I can try to track and to learn this better -- to prepare relevant curriculum, try it out with students, get their input and feedback, revise it, and hopefully work to disseminating this and similar efforts within the circles I know.

~ I will be scheduling and leading workshops on nonviolence.

~ Continue to cultivate love for myself and peace within myself. Wear t-shirts and/or buttons about the Decade of Nonviolence. When I teach in schools, put up, pass out, and leave handouts about the Decade of Nonviolence. Create a Declaration people sign committing to the Decade and giving the signers something that shows and reminds them of their commitment.

~ I will help to spread the word about the Decade of Nonviolence by going to the local high schools and to Centralia College.

~ Something I would like to do, but don't know if I could even begin to succeed would be to increase the understanding between those of us working toward disarmament and people in the Tri-Cities whose lives have been tied to bomb production for a half century. Could we start to work together toward cleaning up the radioactive mess at Hanford?

~ Train and deepen in nonviolent theory and practice, AND train others also.

~ Continue to educate myself. Continue to take place in workshops and groups such as this. Learn to love myself and others. Learn to let go of my anger and judgments. Learn to smile.