BLOG: Why Is Peace Such a Dirty Word?

With the world in such turmoil these days, I ask myself this question repeatedly.  It has led me to the conclusion that peace must begin within each person.  In order to achieve that sense of peace, we have to actively develop it as we would with learning a new skill.

In my younger days, my communication skills were quite poor and I knew nothing about making friends with conflict. I wasn’t even aware of available resources since the Internet was in its beginning stages.

Once I discovered the Alternatives to Violence Project, my life changed dramatically.

AVP suggests this simple action plan:

*   Build your own self-respect

*   Respect and care about others

*   Ask yourself for a non-violent way.  There may be one inside you.

*   Pause –give yourself time before reacting.

*   Trust your inner sense of what’s needed.

*   Don’t rely on weapons, drugs, or alcohol.  They weaken you.

*   When you have done wrong, admit it, make amends if you can so that 

      you can forgive yourself.  Then let it go.

*   Don’t threaten or put down.

*   Make friends with those who will support you.  Support the best in    

     them.

*   Risk changing yourself.

In taking these steps, you’ll be ready to sing:

            Let there be peace on earth

            And let it begin with me

            Let there be peace on earth

            The peace that was meant to be.

You have the power to bring peace into your little corner of the world…and you’ll no longer have to ask: Why is peace such a dirty word?

William Arthur Ward said it so well when he wrote:

“Flatter me and I may not believe you.  Criticize me and I may not like you.  Ignore me and I may not forgive you.  Encourage me and I will not forget you.”

            Let’s work together to make peace a cherished word and let it be the focus of our daily lives.