A Force More Powerful by Deena Dawn Larsen

January 30, 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi being brutally assassinated. One of far too many people of peace being killed in violent ways.

My first insights into Gandhi came in 1982 when the movie of his life came out. I happened to be walking down State Street in Madison and the Orpheum Theater was one of the select theaters to first show the film. I went in, watched the film with a predominantly Indian crowd in the theater, and my life was changed forever. If you know me, you know that Gandhi is my guy. His outlook, his writings, his methods, they resonate with my worldview and help me stay true to myself. Of course, I am well aware that Gandhi had his faults; I know he was not perfect. But, the sum total of his life is a model. Over a decade ago, I was part of a group of 40 educators who spent two weeks in California studying and learning about him. As I think back on Gandhi, I have decided that the best way to honor him on this day is to share some of my favorite quotes of his. The difficulty will be to narrow down the long list of favorites. (Recently, when I applied for a job, I toyed with the idea of answering every interview question with a Gandhi quote. Perhaps if I had, I might have gotten the job!)

"In a gentle way, you can shake the world."

"My life is my message."

“A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.”

In a world that seems increasingly loud, I feel there is a need for gentleness. We all need to live in accordance with our values. I continue to practice and attempt to let my life be my message. I believe in kindness and the good in people. If each of us took care of our own self, our own corner, we could indeed shake the world.

"The world has enough for everyone's needs, but not everyone's greed,"

“Poverty is the worst form of violence.” In an era of excess and billionaires, the income/wealth gap is growing wider. It is unconscionable that so many struggle to survive while others continue to amass their fortunes, never satiating their financial appetites. Gandhi believed in non-violence. He looked at words, thoughts, and actions. And if you think about it, condemning others to live in poverty through greed is a very violent act.

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

“See the good in people and help them.”

From where I sit at my desk at home, I look up at this poster of Gandhi on my wall. It is a daily reminder to me to attempt to live my life simply. Happiness can seem elusive at times. Chasing happiness seems to be an exercise in futility. What I do know is that living an honest life, being one of the helpers that Mr. Rogers talked about, can be fulfilling. Invariably, the problems in the world are known to us all. News that is always streaming makes certain of that. There are dark days when I struggle to find hope. I take comfort knowing that Gandhi felt that too and also found a way to see past the negativity and the seemingly tragic future.

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.”

Knowing that Gandhi was influenced by Tolstoy and Thoreau puts him in good company. I know that he lives on through others with his idea of non-violence, influencing Dr. King and Nelson Mandela.

I often wonder what else Gandhi would have accomplished had he lived longer. For now, I'll reflect on this unassuming human being a force to be reckoned with. Rest in Peace Gandhi.