Let It Begin With Me

You've heard the song and the saying; let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. It may be a beautiful song and a great, albeit, contrived saying however, it hasn't seemed to work, at least on a grand or global scale.

Peace is often seen as everyone elses problem. If they would just stop doing this or that, then there would be a resolution and peace could then be possible. If they would stop bombing us, if they would stop marginalizing us, if he would stop teasing me, if she would stop nagging me, if they would keep their dog out of our yard, etc.

Peace, however, must begin with a person who can sometimes be a doormat. That is very unpopular for humans. We don;t have much ambition to be walked on or used no matter what the outcome might be. Ironically, the people we most remember and who have impacted the world the most were the giants of humanity that were able to do just that. God is Light and in God there is no darkness. Darkness can block the light, but the light cannot be destroyed. However, in contrast, light can expunge the darkness. Peace is not as far away as it seems. It begins with you and me. Let it!

Doing and Being

We spend most of our lives "doing". Few of us spend a healthy amount of time "being". It is true that even when we are relaxing, meditating or praying we are still doing something. In fact, even when we are sleeping we are "doing". Yet, there is a plethora of evidence that shows how people who meditate are more emotionally stable, more intelligent and more creative. Research tells us that this is largely because the cortical regions of the brain are thicker in people who meditate regularly. These thicker areas of the brain protect the organ, prevent impulsiveness and promote health and wellness. 

Even a few minutes per day of what I call, Intentional Thought Therapy, can make a huge difference in so many areas of health. I find that the brain and the neural activity that defines us, very fascinating. As neuroscience progresses we see how flexible the brain is in its ability to change (neuroplasticity) and reorganize itself. The ability to create new networks in the brain (neurogeneisis) should be an exciting invitation to spend time "being" as the simple act of stopping and de-cluttering is precisely where this positive and amazing change takes place. 

The pursuit of peace in our lives, homes, and world is directly dependent on people developing their ability to "be" and not just "do". Taking time to "be" is actually more important than just about anything in life. It refreshes the soul, provides a happiness or a joy, allows a person to think clearly and use critical thinking skills. It fights crime, poor health, sadness and rage.

Peace,

Brent

Communicating With Nature.

Connecting with nature may be a more common term but, communicating with nature may be more appropriate. Listening and hearing nature is dependant on a person who is willing to embrace silence and solitude while learning to set aside the events, moments and stressors of the real world. Indeed, it may be time to spend more time bringing an unreal world into the picture to shape and reshape what is. In religious philosophies, there is the ideal world that is marked by love, kindness, forgiveness and gentleness. From Christ's "on earth as it is in heaven" to Bhudda's "enlightenment", ideal thoughts and convictions argue against pain, suffering and death. In the real world we laugh at such a notion that people-let alone people AND nature-could ever live in peace or without violent conflict. Yet, we see glimpses of our efforts to do just that: We develop medicine to fight pain and prolong life; this is significant proof that we want something better...something "unreal".


Humans have huge imaginations and anything that is imagined is possible. And when, or if, humanity can ever decide on how to live out the difference between cruelty and non-cruelty, elements of the "unreal" world will start to emerge. Universally we all have a basic and similar understanding of cruelty and non-cruelty but government, money, power and greed blanket efforts.

I finished a great book from a prominent theoritical physicist a few months ago that explained how humans may be able to create an atmosphere on a distant planet and hence make it habitable. The ability to fly into space may not be so big a step as we've thought it to be. More and greater accomplishments may still be on the horizon. What has been done in 100 years may pale in comparison to what is done in 1000 years.

Nature has a lot to offer in the way of being a catalyst for wonder and thought. It may not itself be god, or God, but it is a much neglected tool for growth and inspiration.

If the roar of traffic, buzz of governemnt shutdowns, hum of "bills to pay" and cries of the steets haunt you-and they should-consider how some time in the arms of a thought-provoking and life-changing natural setting may position you to offer encouragement and change in your own heart, family, community or world. A more ideal one indeed.

Communicating with nature, or nature's creator, means seeing the good and peaceful, recognizing the painful and hideous, and wondering how we can re-create the world in the face of that common barrier that says "you can't change the way things are".

Draw the Line

Non-peace promoting actions are generally camouflaged in excuses like "this was an exception" or "it was necessary to help others". Peace is not an option though, it is a road without rabbit trails. A person is either on the road of peace on they are not. There is not a path that leads to peace, rather there is a path that is called peace and from it there are no turn arounds, exits or intersections.

Pursuing peace means self-confidence, purpose, courage and compassion are heightened and the ability to speak peace into any situation is refined and powerful.

Pursue peace. Decide to be a Peacemaker. Draw the Line and step onto the road that is peace.

P: Perform acts of kindness. Make it a habit because that is the way you are, not just a random decision.
E: Embrace times of silence and solitude in natural places.
A: Avoid the unhealthy pursuit of wealth and power.
C: Consider the interests of others as equal or more important than your own.
E: Encourage non-violence in all of life and every situation.

Wealth and Power

Studies show time and time again that if a person's needs are met then the amount of wealth they posssess is irrelevant to their degree of happiness. hence, people with very little are among the happiest people in the world.

Peace, contentment, security, confidence and sense-of-purpose are all elements necessary for a life of happiness. All of them are unrelated to money directly. Money has a secondary influence on these things.

The pursuit of wealth and power is not healthy or necessary to your degree of happiness. Meeting your basic economic needs is easy and rewarding when your primary goal is to embrace life and make a difference in the lives of others.

P-E-A-C-E

P: Perform acts of kindness. Make it a habit because that is the way you are, not just a random decision.

E: Embrace times of silence and solitude in natural places.

A: Avoid the unhealthy pursuit of wealth and power.

C: Consider the interests of others as equal or more important than your own.

E: Encourage non-violence in all of life and every situation.

Pursue Peace

Think Peace!

Attitude matters. Attitude is the beginning of change. More and more people are thinking through the possibilities of peace and what peace should, or could look like. It is not an easy thing to patch together because we are so accustomed to anti-peace. But, peace is possible and it is coming...someday!

It is a true statement to say that "peace begins with me". A simple thought can give birth to a new reality and we know that peace is certainly on the minds of a growing number of people.

Think Peace!

Peace Is Hard, But Not Trickey.

P: Perform acts of kindness. Make it a habit because that is the way you are, not just a random decision.

E: Embrace times of silence and solitude in natural places.

A: Avoid the unhealthy pursuit of wealth and power.

C: Consider the interests of others as equal or more important than your own.

E: Encourage non-violence in all of life and every situation.