Monday, September 23, 2013

Peace Starts with Me

This past Saturday, September 21st was World Peace Day. I missed the opportunity to write a post on the day of because I was visiting my knuckleheads, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to still share a few words on the occasion. Sure September 21st is as good a day as any to commemorate and celebrate world peace, but like most days intended to celebrate someone (Mother's Day) or something (Earth Day), the truth is that it's up to us to make World Peace Day every day of the year.

Each day is an opportunity to foster peace in our world. Most of us will probably never solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict or bring an end to a civil war, but we can think globally, yet act locally. We don't have to engender peace on a global scale or on the world stage for it to have meaning or merit, it can be through small acts of love, kindness and activism in our relationships, our homes, our neighborhoods. Love first, peace follows. So love your neighbor, let go of old grudges, volunteer in your neighborhood and be a catalyst towards making your village, town, or city into a community; a unified group of individuals with common goals and interests. Plus, the fringe benefit of making a difference for others is finding inner peace of your own.

American author Robert Fulghum stated “Peace is not something you wish for; it’s something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.” So get to work, because peace starts with you.