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Thursday, March 20,
2008
Peace is More Than the
Absence of War
By Kim
Rentschler (Lancaster, PA)
Peace is more than the absence of war. An absence
is an emptiness, a persistent gnawing. Its hunger chides the soul, a
shadowy despair seeking relief. It fosters longing, for in its
presence, life is incomplete. It breeds fear, an apprehension of the
unknown. For in its future lies uncertainty. It is an inconsolable
desire for an unidentified need.
Peace cannot be an absence, for it is not empty,
but whole. It does not want, but satisfies. It does not seek, but is
sought. It does not search, but is found.
Peace is not a destination, but a journey. Its
path is not direct, for it will encounter obstacles. It will deviate
but not abandon. Peace must adapt, embracing the terrain as it
permeates a land.
Peace is not singular, for it seeks to include.
It does not discriminate, but requires participation. Peace is not an
aggregate, for it is defined by individuals. It does not condemn
self-expression, but encourages free thought.
Peace is not blind, for it seeks to illuminate.
It is a process, constantly in a state of reform, seeking finality.
Peace does not deny anger, for it is discontent that incites change.
It does not condone rage but attacks ignorance.
Peace is not valued, for it is priceless. It is
an unlimited resource available to all willing to embrace its cause.
Peace is an attitude. It is an aversion to abject
suffering. It is a desire for involvement. It seeks to mediate
conflict. It places others above self, ideals above materialism,
outcomes above outlay. It suggests, but does not force. It relieves,
but does not encumber.
Peace cannot be a euphemism. It is not
accomplished easily. Antipathy confounds negotiation. Jealousy
distorts goodwill. Lasting peace demands individual effort. It cannot
be mandated, legislated or issued by decree. Peace must come from
within.
Befriend yourself, and you will have found your
most powerful ally; ready to defend, adapt, and grow. Condemn
yourself, and you will breed enmity. Malice lingers within the depths
of self-hate. Insecurity harbors contempt.
Open your mind and world to the ideas of others.
Trust yourself to discern the new from the harmful. Allow yourself to
grow. Embrace the unknown, for it is not hostile, merely unique. Share
yourself with others. Allow them to sample your peace. Create an
environment of acceptance and trust. Express your difference. Enjoy
your similarities. Feel secure that they can co-exist.
Wear your peaceful attitude proudly. Wear it at
home, to work, at play. Encourage others to join you, enriching the
attitude. Take pride as you see the attitude reflected in your
children, growing within their friends and flourishing inside the
minds of your family. For it is families who build communities,
communities that build societies, and children who create the future.
Peace is not a political concept to be mandated
tomorrow. Change will continue to breed conflict. And conflict will
continue to incite discontent.
But we as individuals have a choice in reacting
to that discontent. We can wear our peaceful attitudes. We can temper
anger and accept change. Or we can allow our lives to be dominated by
a void; an absence of peace and a presence of war.
comment on this news item...
Written by Stephen
Crockett (co-host of Democratic Talk Radio
http://www.DemocraticTalkRadio.com ).
Mail: P.O. Box 283, Earleville, Maryland
21919. Phone: 443-907-2367. Email:
midsouthcm@aol.com .
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