Is Peace Possible (cont’d)

I’ve spoken to several people since writing my last post “Is Peace Possible?”.  The responses varied from blank reactions, in agreement with me, or “be a realist and that peace is not possible.”   Where does the truth lie — in our own beliefs around the possibility of peace in the world and our willingness to be partners in change?

There are two opposing beliefs in this “peace” camp – the idealist and the realists.   The realists have the most leverage in the discussion because they have proof all around how peace is not available.  Look into the family dynamics, local community and the countries of the world.   There you will see unsettling examples of a world lacking in peace.  Yet, you can also look at the many ways individuals and communities are contributing to the health of well-being of the world.

What would peace look like?  I don’t believe that peace is void of conflict, but rather it’s how we handle the conflict.   Our fears govern how we react to others.   If we were to just to step back a moment, take a deep breath and choose to respond instead of react.   Would we have a better chance to promote peace within our smaller worlds and the world at large?  

Each of us is responsible for peace.   Yes, we are.  Because the world changes based on individual choices each of us make to create the whole.    We don’t necessarily feel that we have the power to make a change, but we do in whatever small ways that we create the intention to bring peace into the world.

Each of us makes a choice to be a realist or idealist.

What comes to mind is the book “Tipping Point:  How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference” by Malcolm Gladwell.  There is a reference in this book on how a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil can impact the weather in the US.   The book is about the “butterfly affect” and how small changes can create a big difference in the world – both negative and positive.   I want to flap my “butterfly wings” towards peace.

How can each of us make a difference in peace in the world?    Find one thing that you can do today that contributes to peace.    For example, be kind, no gossiping of others, helping another person, forgiving another, or listening more.   We can choose to be peaceful.

A butterfly doesn’t get intellectual about its impact, rather just flaps its wings, pollinates or carries pollen from plant to plant; helping fruits, vegetables, and flowers to produce new seeds.   We can emerge from our cocoons of negativity and take on the beauty of kindness.  

What About You?
Do you ever think about how you can influence peace?    Do you believe that you have a responsibility to promote peace, in whatever way you can? 

Pat

“To fully enjoy the ‘richness’ of our lives, we need to stop long enough to visit with ourselves.”
(Pat Brill)

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Tags: change, life lessons, small changes

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