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(some think that) Peace is this magical thing, that happens overnight
or in the blink of an eye.
It actually takes time,
patience, and practice to nurture peace.
We must cultivate it within our minds, our hearts, our
homes, our families, and communities.
Is there really a better place to practice peace, than in in the middle of a war?
When we appear to find ourselves in the midst of a violent and chaotic storm, if we panic and act on that, the storm appears worse.
The storm appears to calm down when we remain calm in our hearts. Peace be still.
We don't require money or status or power
to practice the art of peace. Peace is right where we stand,
and that is the place to practice.
(What is Peace?) Peace is a state of harmony,
between people.
Peace is freedom from strife, fights, quarreling, and rivalry.
Peace is about exerting self control to promote unity, love,
and harmonious relationships.
People attempt to control other people and our environment, when in reality,
the only thing we have control over, are our own thoughts, actions,
and desires.
It is futile to attempt to control another. Whether they are yelling or angry, sad or mad or jealous.
We can't control what thoughts someone else entertains. We can't even control another persons happiness.
What another person chooses to do with their vessel/their body.
Where they choose to drive their vessel.
That's their own free choice. What we can do is influence others by our own actions.
We must focus on mastering self control.
No matter how much we attempt to control another person or situation, the vessel that we are in control of navigating,
helping, hurting, taking care of. The vessel that we respect, that we love...
Is ourself. We are always able to control ourself right now.
Not yesterday, not tomorrow, not even an hour from now. We are always here, right now. For example, if someone wants to fight. We must not allow, and I do mean "allow,"
and I do mean "allow," their anger to become our own.
By remaining level headed and calm within our hearts, our actions can diffuse any situation.
If we are peaceful, and another is angry,
One of two things may occur.
Their anger can influence us to become angry
or our peace can influence them to become peaceful.
By allowing love to flow through us
at all times, we will find that love
is drawn to us.
We attract love in the most unexpected ways.
Some say that violence is
totally natural
because we see it displayed in the animal
kingdom.
When observing animals in nature, we find that animals destroy and fight each other for survival.
Animals aren't suicidal.
They don't fight each other because another animal got dirt on its paw, or
because another animal was
growling too loudly.
If an animal is fighting, it's fighting for territory.
To strive and stay alive and thrive. For sufficient food. Humans are the only species
Who commit acts of violence because of egotistical desires.
We fight for greed. For love of power
and for pride.
We fight if we feel another has disrespected us.
Or we fight to get more than we have
because we live in fear of how others will treat us if we don't have
the freshest clothes, cars, and houses.
We must be grateful for what we have
without allowing another to make us feel like we have less than.
When we respect ourselves,
there is nothing that exist outside of ourself, that can come in between the respect that we have
for ourself.
When we trust and know ourselves. More than anyone else, we experience a confidence, where no one else
can cause us to feel that we are less than deserving of respect and love.
There's no need to prove ourselves to anyone else.
The way we respond and react to situations, allow us to prove our own abilities
to our own self.
We must always maintain control over our own actions.
We must control our thoughts.
Have you ever been driving and
have someone slow pull out in front of you?
Some become angry and experience road rage
and have thoughts that attack the person by thinking,
"This person is a real..."
You can fill in the blank.
How many people actually think and consider that the person pulling out,
may have prevented them from having an accident?
Or get a ticket if they were speeding?
The thoughts we feel, excuse me,
the emotions we feel, are connected to our thoughts.
Where our thoughts go, our energy follows.
Our thoughts create responses and reactions within us
and within our environment. We must nurture optimistic thoughts. To see the glass as half full,
when it appears to be half empty.
We've all heard the famous quote by Rene Descartes, "I think, therefore, I AM." The thoughts we entertain, have the power to become what we think.
Finally, we must control our desires.
Behavior experts say the best way to train animals, is by offering a system of a reward or punishment.
Even when we observe our own children, we see noticible effects when we offer them a reward or a
punishment.
How many times to do tell our children to do something, just because we said to do it?
We may ask them to do something
because we're concerned about their safety,
or their health or education or contribution to the house.
Deep down, there are many reasons why we tell them to do things.
Children expect just one good reason (for understanding).
And that reason, is love.
Love is defined as a sacred and indescribable feeling of oneness. That promotes
unity, harmony,
and peace.
Love is our greatest virtue
and reward.
By loving ourselves and others at all times, we will have the unity and peace
that we all desire and deserve.
Our world has become a place where, we look at each other and pass by without even smiling or speaking
or acknowledging
that we see each other.
A simple gesture like a smile has the ability to let others know that you see them
and that they exist.
Love is contagious and there are many ways to spread love. All it takes is just one person
to lead by example.
Mahatma Gandhi says,
"We must be the change that we wish to see in our world."
Again, we must control our desires and our greatest desire is love. In conclusion,
when practicing the art of peace,
we must carefully choose how we exhibt control over our actions, thoughts,
and desires. One of our
greatest powers is the freedom of choice, and love is our greatest choice.
What will you choose to do with your power? Me!?! I choose love!
May love, peace, and unity be with us all for eternity.
Thank you!