10 Ways to Live Restoratively

This simple PDF was adapted from Howard Zehr's book, Changing Lenses: Restorative Justice for Our Times, and created by The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, a program of Eastern Mennonite University. 

1. TAKE RELATIONSHIPS SERIOUSLY, recognizing you are one part of a web of people, institutions and the environment.
2. BE AWARE OF THE IMPACT OF YOUR ACTIONS on others and the world around you.
3. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURIES YOU HAVE CAUSED – acknowledge and try to repair harm.
4. TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT, including those who offend you.
5. Whenever possible, INVOLVE PEOPLE IN DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THEM.
6. View conflicts in your life as OPPORTUNITIES.
7. LISTEN TO OTHERS DEEPLY AND COMPASSIONATELY–try to understand even when you disagree.
8. ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE WITH OTHERS EVEN WHEN THAT’S DIFFICULT–remain open to learning from them.
9. BE CAUTIOUS about imposing your “truths” and views on other people and situations.
10. SENSITIVELY CONFRONT EVERYDAY INJUSTICES such as sexism, racism, and classism.