Where to Begin?

Once I made Peace my goal, I had to start thinking about how to achieve that goal. It didn’t take long to feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities. There are so many levels of peace, so many obstacles in the way. World peace is a global issue, but it is also a personal, family, and community issue. I did a lot of reading, and a lot of surfing the internet. From time to time I will let you know about some of the books and websites I found helpful. For now, have a look at the links in the sidebar for a couple of my favourites.

Peace begins with each of us, from the inside out. If we are not at peace with ourselves, we will be in conflict with others as well. Then we need peace within our homes and workplaces. If we can’t get along with the people we spend our time with, how can we work for peace in the world? Our communities also need help. Hunger and poverty aren’t limited to third world countries – children everywhere go to bed hungry. Crime is part of our everyday reality. Drug and alcohol abuse continue to ruin lives.

As peacemakers, we have our work cut out for us. This is not necessarily a bad thing – it is also a blessed opportunity. Whatever our abilities, whatever problems we feel drawn to work on, there is something each of us can do to make the world a more peaceful place.

The First Ripple

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” - Walt Disney

“Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen.” – Peter Marshall

I’ve been talking to a few friends about this website that I’ve been wanting to set up to promote world peace. They’ve been excited when I described my dream to them, and encouraged me to follow through on it, but its been weeks and still nothing. Today I told someone new about it, and got into a conversation about what’s been holding me back.

“I feel like a fraud,” I confessed, “wanting to talk about peace when there’s been so much trouble in my own life lately.” So then we talked about integrity, how we work on peace by working on ourselves, and how peace begins with each of us. No one person can do alone, we all have our part to play. The pieces started to fall into place, and I resolved to go home and get to work.

Peace is my goal, for myself and anyone else who wants it. I’m not an expert and I don’t have all the answers. This is my journey, though, and I invite you to join me.

The pebble has been dropped in the pond. The first ripple has gone out. How far will it go? Stay with me and we'll find out together.