Peace Out

What is something that typically makes you feel at ease when you encounter it? What is your refuge? I have always been fascinated by people's answers to this question; most responses are very personal and answer this according to their own intricately woven fabric of life.

Daily, I reflect on that question to try and center myself. For me, peace feels like acceptance. Accepting the things I can change and accepting the things I cannot. It feels like knowing when to speak up and when to just listen. Being at ease feels like knowing when to push and when to pull back. Sometimes, it's difficult to determine which action is necessary in a given moment.

The more I learn about harmony within myself, the more I understand what it takes to be peaceful. Recently, I had the opportunity to  learn a big life lesson after a young boy questioned whether or not people die. His mom shared the following:

"When we pass away, other people go to our funeral and say nice things about us. We're lucky because we have people who really love us and will miss us." Her son then asked: "So why do bad people die?" She answered: "Because they choose to live a life of anger and hate, which is not good for their hearts. They live multiple lives during their life time and when their heart gets tired and weak from being so sad and angry, it eventually dies."

"What happens then?" he asked. Shesaid: "Their heart doesn't beat anymore and they die." Then he asked: "What happens to their hearts?" She said: "Because their hearts don't work anymore, we bury their bodies in the ground so that no animals can eat them because dead bodies are dirty." He continued: "Does this mean when we're dead, animals won't eat us?" But she answered: "Yes, but you are not going to die. You will grow old like me and one day you will be put in the ground because your heart will stop beating." He then said: "Will anyone remember me when I'm gone?" She said: "Absolutely! Your friends will remember you because we choose to love one another and lead a peaceful life free from anger. 

Peace is a compound concept. It is an experience, a state of mind, an intellectual condition and an idea. Many words have been used to describe it and some of them are: tranquility, calmness, harmony, fellowship, security, good will and prosperity among others. No one lives in a constant state of peace. There are challenges that disturb peace. As we go through challenges in life, peace sometimes becomes elusive but, It is our fundamental nature to pursue peace and have harmony. 

On one level, it's about not having to worry about your kids for the day. On another, it's about not having to worry about your community and country for the year. At its height, peace is a state of being. It is a state of mind that brings with it feelings of contentment, calm, and fulfilment. It is also a state of being where we can recognise that there is more that unites us than divides us.

Highlighting Peace In Life - We don't all start off with a peaceful mindset and it can be hard to get there. For some, the journey is difficult and painful while others glide through the world without a care in the world. These are things we are born with and these stem from our nature and what has been accepted as the norm in our community and environment.

The truth is that life is meant to be about more than being care-free in a sea of people who are just like you. It's not just enough to have a home, car, family and job that you enjoy; if you don't have peace as a part of your life, you will never be truly happy or fulfilled. That's why it's important to learn how to live a peaceful life by embracing change and letting go of things that don't serve you.

“Peace is not a destination, it is a daily practice. It is a way of living and the choices we make.”

Peace Out