The student then began to itemize her groceries by priority until arriving at a tab she could afford. Simultaneously, Barbara and another customer in line offered to pay the few dollars difference for the student’s groceries.

The experience was ironic given Barbara’s peace builder promise “to try to be more patient when I'm kept waiting, especially in check-out lines.” There she stood, just two months after making the promise, in a busy check-out line in the midst of a delay.

“I think I’m doing well,” says Barbara of her promise.

“I seem to be just trying to focus on other things and stay calm.”

Barbara made a Peace Builder promise because she likes “the idea of making peace something we do.” Barbara’s name was selected at random as winner of the Peace Builder Campaign. She receives a movie pass for two to Cinema 379.

The Peterborough Peace Builder Campaign, launched during October’s Month Without Violence, calls on residents to make a promise of action to reduce violence and build a stronger community. The Peaceful Communities steering group intends to build social capital through the exercise and create an inventory of the positive things happening in the Peterborough area.

So far, peacefulcommunities.ca has received just shy of 100 promises. As well, two local elementary school teachers spread the word about the campaign to approximately 200 students, who then made peace promises of their own.

Barbara is a City library employee and member of the steering committee for the Week Without Violence, representing the City Culture & Heritage Division - the library, the art gallery and the museum. She heard about the Peace Builder Campaign through her involvement in that committee and decided to take action.

“We can contribute to making our communities more peaceful places, by helping others, not tolerating violence or aggression or, I believe, by being a little nicer to each other.”

Barbara promised to exercise more patience when in public, because at times, she does become annoyed while standing in line.

“I've seen others do it (too),” says Barbara. “What we end up with is a few people radiating impatience and anger and some poor person getting the brunt of it.”

Barbara notes during the recent grocery store ordeal, the woman behind her in line didn’t become annoyed either. The woman offered the student money “not because she was impatient but because she wanted to help.”

The peace builder says while no doubt others benefit from her patience, it’s particularly rewarding for her. “I just feel so much better if I don’t let myself get into that stress mode,” she says. “I've been focusing on just making it a quiet moment and an acceptance that people are doing the best they can.”

Barbara is looking forward to catching a film at the downtown theatre – and if there’s a lineup she’s sure to wait patiently.

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