www.NoViolence.net

Stopping violence starts with you! If you can become a more positive and accepting person, you can take the first step toward ending youth violence. This week, get your friends together and pick one day to go 24 hours without saying anything mean to, or about, anyone else. Not one mean thing! Think you're up to the challenge? It's actually easier than it sounds.

Try the following tips to help you out:

• Don't judge people by the way they dress, the music that they listen to, the hobbies they have, or the sports they do -- or don't -- play.
  
  
• Judge others by what really matters -- the way they act and the things that they think.
  
  
• It's pretty obvious that you don't have to like everyone you meet, but you can only dislike people you actually get to know. Every time you meet someone, give him or her a chance and treat him or her, as you would want him or her to treat you. You might be surprised at how many people will do the same with you.
  
  
• When a problem occurs, make sure you attack the problem and not the person.
  
  
• Whenever you need to express your feelings, make sure you do it in a non-blaming way.
  
  
• When a problem occurs, stop for a second and recognize what role you played in creating the conflict.