Sept. 21 marks the International Day of Peace. Yes, peace on every day is the ultimate goal, but setting one day is a significant starting point.

The organization Peace One Day urges that this be a day of refraining from violence and one of engaging in life-saving activities. These activities might include a day of truce in war zones, transporting needed food and supplies, vaccinating children, repairing buildings, and simply retrieving the dead. In Minneapolis, our lives are less extreme.

Yet, the headlines demonstrate the need to pause and reflect here, too. We also need kindness, courage, cooperation and communication in our communities.

So mark next Wednesday on your calendars and make it a personal day of peace. For more details and inspiration, see www.peaceoneday.org and www.peacedaympls.blogspot.com.

MAURINE STENWICK, MINNEAPOLIS