Mike Miles shared these "things I have learned over 25 years of doing this," a collection of "aha" moments if you will, as the keynote speaker at WNPJ's [Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice] 10th Annual WNPJ Assembly in October, 2000. Shared with permission.

Mike observed that: "Faith is turning your dreams into deeds. It is betting your life on the unseen realities."

• Peacemaking is the great adventure -- it is the only game in town no matter how you play it.

• Being available is the most important thing. Do whatever you can do to be available -- live in community, share everything, simplify simplify simplify, avoid debt at all costs, unplug yourself from the economy as quickly and deeply as you can, whatever it takes.

• Today's opponents will be tomorrow's allies. If we are about winning people over, anger and defiance must skillfully be transformed into an all embracing invitation to do the right thing.

• Balance is everything -- do whatever it takes to keep your edge. Reward yourself for doing good work.

• Don't beat yourself up over what you can't get done if you are already doing all you can do.

• Know yourself -- act on your gifts and talents no matter what they may be. Punt the rest.

• Work on relationships whether they are personal or professional. It is the hardest work that we can do and the one that drags down everything else if we don't pay attention.

• Creativity and imagination fuel everything we do. Don't pull your own plug by doubting the validity of the crazy things you come up with.

• Be present. If the sixth fleet parks off the coast without firing a shot, they win.

• All that can be expected of us is to act on the truth that we have at any given time.