photo by delamagente.wordpress.com
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
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 ...
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
