Peace is not always an easy goal or resolve. When facing disrespect, anger, hurt or harm, our impulses towards the same are inflamed. Yet, as we all know, disrespect engenders more disrespect, hate more hate, anger more anger, hurt more hurt, and harm more harm.
It's tough to turn the tide when you or your loved ones have been ignored, disrespected, or violated in any way, yet it is the only path to peace.
As I watch the world stage erupt with anger, threats, and violence, I worry. I also think about how I might act for greater peace and harmony both on the world stage and in my own life--what can I do to better lives in more peaceful, caring ways?
First, we must recognize that every word and action matters. What you say, what you do, and even what you don't do or say can make a positive difference. If good words and actions are difficult to muster, it's best to do nothing rather than say harmful words or act in ways that hurt others. Passivity trumps any kind of harm, and even better than a passive response is a positive response that develops respect, collaboration, harmony, and peace.
Next, we must find common ground--what is it that we all care about. In general, I believe the best common ground for the world's people and countries is children--what can we do to elevate the lives of children the world over. Not too many will disagree that children deserve a good life and that good living for children spells a good future for all people. As far as conflicts much more narrow in scope, you have to think about where common ground lies. For example, in schools, the common ground is serving families and children as well as possible. In families, it is supporting one another where people's interests and needs exist. And in every situation, respectful acknowledgement of who people are, what they believe in, what they need, and how you can support one another is essential--to ignore people is almost as negative as to do them outward harm via words or actions.
And, there will be places where you are not wanted, acknowledged, valued, or seen--that will happen, and when it happens, it's best to steer clear of those places in peace and not to inflame the situation anymore. We will not be welcome everywhere and that is the truth of life.
Today as I worry about the conflict that rises in the world, conflict that puts our own country center stage, I am thinking about how I might work for greater peace in my own life with the actions and words I use and the actions and words I choose not to use. This is important to me and hopefully one step closer to the harmony I believe most of us long for. Onward.
It's tough to turn the tide when you or your loved ones have been ignored, disrespected, or violated in any way, yet it is the only path to peace.
As I watch the world stage erupt with anger, threats, and violence, I worry. I also think about how I might act for greater peace and harmony both on the world stage and in my own life--what can I do to better lives in more peaceful, caring ways?
First, we must recognize that every word and action matters. What you say, what you do, and even what you don't do or say can make a positive difference. If good words and actions are difficult to muster, it's best to do nothing rather than say harmful words or act in ways that hurt others. Passivity trumps any kind of harm, and even better than a passive response is a positive response that develops respect, collaboration, harmony, and peace.
Next, we must find common ground--what is it that we all care about. In general, I believe the best common ground for the world's people and countries is children--what can we do to elevate the lives of children the world over. Not too many will disagree that children deserve a good life and that good living for children spells a good future for all people. As far as conflicts much more narrow in scope, you have to think about where common ground lies. For example, in schools, the common ground is serving families and children as well as possible. In families, it is supporting one another where people's interests and needs exist. And in every situation, respectful acknowledgement of who people are, what they believe in, what they need, and how you can support one another is essential--to ignore people is almost as negative as to do them outward harm via words or actions.
And, there will be places where you are not wanted, acknowledged, valued, or seen--that will happen, and when it happens, it's best to steer clear of those places in peace and not to inflame the situation anymore. We will not be welcome everywhere and that is the truth of life.
Today as I worry about the conflict that rises in the world, conflict that puts our own country center stage, I am thinking about how I might work for greater peace in my own life with the actions and words I use and the actions and words I choose not to use. This is important to me and hopefully one step closer to the harmony I believe most of us long for. Onward.