What is Peace?
Over the past few months, with choas, turmoil in the world around us, and some personal turmoil here at home, I asked myself, what is the one thing that each of us seek to sustain us on a daily basis? For me, the answer is peace.
Whether it be peace of mind, a mental state indicating that we trust ourselves, do the best we can to stay out of the outcome, stay connected to G-d to be faithful rather than fearful, or say thank you as often as possible, these are factors that can make us feel peaceful in many ways. Often, committing to something or someone with all our might (i.e. 100 percent), holding nothing back, can generate a sense of purpose, excitement, fulfillment and joy that makes a diffference in how we feel each and every day.
And of course, there is a large type of peace, that we may want to experience in the world, to see others co-exist with us in harmony, so that we do not fight one other, either with our words or our hands. Each person, in one form or another desires this type of peace as well.
As of late, peace is something which I have been desperately trying to attain. With everything going on in our family, with our daughter, with other family members, friends, and self, I long for peace of mind. Not to mention the chaos that exists in the world, especially in Israel, where the right to a peaceful existence seems to be a fleeting concept.
What does it mean to you to be peaceful, and how do you best attain it? For me, something that is essential is to be as kind and loving as I can in all of my relationships....
Thank you for your minds.
21 Comments:
Barb, I wonder what it would be like to have absolute peace in our lives? Would we get bored! I think we would all like more peace but I don't think it is meant to be a reality. There is always going to be something that is "out of whack" in our lives.
Did you ever see the movie "Parenhood" with Steve Martin and Mary Steenbergen? There at the end, Grandma is explaining life. She talks about riding on a roller coaster with all its ups and downs. She says it's fun and scarry at the same time. Then she talks about a merry-go-round. All it does is go around and a round, boring! I think life is like that, I would rather be on the roller coaster than the merry go round. I know it would be nice to be on the merry-go-round for just a little while but life was meant to be a roller coaster.
I know that there are times in my life where things are going so good and then something happens...it's just life! We have to learn to roll with the punches and keep getting back up. You know what I say, Life is going to happen, it's how you handle it that counts.....Good luck finding a little more peace....
Lucy,
Thank you for your comments.
Absolute peace, in any form, would be an impossibility. Still, I know for me, when I pray, and what makes me feel at my best is to have peace inside and out, as simple as that.
I agree with your statement "stay connected to G-d to be faithful rather than fearful, or say thank you as often as possible, these are factors that can make us feel peaceful in many ways."
It seems for a while some but not all would use the fear card to promote things such as peace and love.
I don't see how fear promotes love or peace.
To me it way of promoting fear is actual promoting hate and bigotry.
just try to make the best of everything
that is a cute dog good buy!
Staying connected to G-d is what keeps me the most peaceful, to be honest.
I must say, that I do find Argon, the dog, to be cute as well, and thnak you for the compliment.
For me, assurance that everything is alright, or will be alright is what can give me peace. How do I attain it? Not quite sure, but every once in a while it stops by, and I stop to enjoy it.
Argon is growing!
We pray for peace at least three times a day, and I for one pray for it a lot more than that, but what it is exactly? I'm not sure I've ever known. But it sure would be nice to have.
Great comments.
Amishav, you bring up a good point. If peace is something that we, as Jews, pray for so many times per day, it must be something extremely important.
On a personal level, I have known peace of mind, and have seen the world in a peaceful place from moment to moment. Whether this great 'thing' can be defined, is truly not the real issue.
I agree. Also, pertaining to your other post about Borat, I think humour can bring about this release of tension, through realizing that we all take things a little too seriously once in awhile, it isn't worth getting worried over at all. We all have limitations and prejudices as people...most of the time simply out of innocent ignorance. When we are comfortable, and as we learn, we can simply laugh off the ridiculous and experience true peace.
I find peace to be an ideal that keeps us going.
It's unrealistic but so are many dreams yet they give us strength to go on.
To have a couple of hours all to myself with my music, knowing no one can hear me sing (uhm if what I do is called singing) along.
Hi Barbara,
I think you saw a peek a peace in my world in my owl post this morning. When I find myself struggling to find peace - in my life, in my heart, whatever - a walk in the woods, a visit from an animal, planting a seed, or listening to the snow fall are all direct routes to a sense of calm. Today, I really needed it.
Good thoughts to you for a good week as well,
JLB
I too am always seeking peace. As a kid, peace meant a place free of yelling and conflict; it meant the opportunity to do what I wanted without fear of intruders. The one thing I wanted more than anything in adulthood was a peaceful household. That doesn't mean conflict-free; it means a place where one need never fear physical or psychological harm. I am very proud of myself for managing to arrange that through the smart selection of intimates. This is why my heart goes out to people living in war-torn areas; their homes are not peaceful. They live in fear of molestation (broadly defined, not just sexual), not to mention death. It's a horrible, horrible way to live.
Barb-
First, I wish peace and love to you and your family.
Second, Argon is gorgeous and he almost looks a little camera shy.
Please give him a big puppy kiss from me!
xoxo
Peace is contentment with everything around you.
Another great question! Peace is acceptance of your circumstances and understanding of the world around you. It's knowing what you can and cannot change.
Love these comments.
Peace of mind, at least, is being able to have a quiet head, and a welcoming heart, even if only for a moment.
No matter what happens each day, I am blessed with being able to achieve even a small sliver of serenity.
Peace is a tiny moment of tranquility. If you're lucky, you string a lot of those moments together.
BTW, adorable puppy!!!
"Happiness is a warm puppy!"
Argon is soooooo cute!
At first I was going to say that inner peace is acceptance of yourself and the world as it is. But then I thought....no way! I am a fighter when things aren't going right, whether on a personal or global level.
A moment of true peace or hugging a squirmy, warm puppy? I'll take the warm puppy.
WW
It is truly odd, but when I have something to worry about, some challenge, some problem to solve I feel kind of good. I feel alive. I think this is because we are all by nature problem solvers.
This isn't peace, I know. And a person can become overburdened with challenges and problems to solve and need some peace.
When I get to the point that I can't take anymore challenges, I seek an escape, someplace I can go and forget for a while. It might be a movie, or a good book. It might be a quiet walk in the woods. It might be some quality time with my creator.
I don't think we can ever count on having a life that is so worry-free that we are always in a state of peace. Such a life surely does not exist. There is a place where peace like that exists for a person...six feet under.
May the lonely be comforted. May love abound and divisions between us cease to exist. May all beings of the earth feel safe and free of fear. May we each continue on the path towards enlightenment with gladness and diligence.
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