How to achieve peace.

                                                            photo by delamagente.wordpress.com

The universal problem of how to achieve peace plagues us all. Not only the larger picture of peace in the world, but also, peace within our own life.

People have always fought. I read a book once, Clan of the Cave Bear, which told of the struggle for supremacy between the two species of early man.

I guess, once one genetic strain died out, the tribe needed a leader. Then, he would have been challenged and so on, as each of the strongest males fought for supremacy in the way of animals.

photo by Coverimage.com.

               

Now, nations fight each other. One nation wants to take over smaller countries and they defend themselves. When a peaceful nation can't stand by and let other countries' rulers harm their residents, they send in armies to keep the peace. The locals then fight those who want to protect them. There are so many reasons for fighting—each justified, depending on the point of view.

         photo by fotoplatforma.pl

I don't want to fight.

But wait. What would I do if someone took my novel and said it was their own? No. That's all right. I'd just write another and use the experience. But what would I do if an intruder broke into my back garden, killed one of the wild peafowl and tried to kill another? I'd shout, but would I actually fight? Probably not. I'd call the police and let them fight for me. Wouldn't do much good. The birds would all be dead by the time help reached me.

I couldn't fight, even if I wanted to. I can hardly walk straight and I'm too slow in my movements.

But there are other forms of peace—internal. In an ideal life, each person could accept themselves as they are and live in the present moment.

 

Yet we think, If only ...

I had more money ...

I was free from debt ...

I hadn't spent my youth so rashly ...

I'd saved for the future ...

The bullies wouldn't pick on me ...

I lived in another country ...

I could live alone without all this hassle ...

My loved-ones lived closer ...

Things were different ...

I had enough food for my children ...

I hadn't believed that stranger ...

I'd be happy.

Those of us living in a land where we are free to live the way we please can hardly comprehend the problems of other people living in repressed countries. I can't speak for them. But for me, I still don't achieve peace in my own life. And it's not for the lack of trying.

It seems we need to establish balance with those around us. If only we could love our neighbor, as the bible advises—give them the same consideration we give ourselves. That goes for our spouse. Yet we constantly struggle for supremacy and tiffs ruin our peace.

Until we reach a time of life where we live alone, we must achieve peace in our own home, which might spiral out like a ripple from a pebble tossed into Still Rock Water (chuckle—title of my soon-to-be-published book) to affect those around us.

last two photos by freeimages.co.uk