Pogue,

Another week of turmoil in the world with particular focus on Europe. Our television was filled with pictures of exploding munitions, solders, refugees, conflict at its worst.

But I have also seen individuals on a local level, people I know and see about me, involved in conflict with each other. One on one. Not violent but still at odds with each other. It’s not about disagreement. We are never all going to agree, not this side of heaven anyway. But in disagreeing we can still respect each other and work together. No, conflict is a refusal to disagree and carry on together. It’s about the assertion of my rights, it’s about intransigence, it’s about abandonment of respect. Most of all it’s a sacrificing of personal peace and as such when an individual enters into conflict they do so not only with another/s but also with them selves. I sometimes wonder if certain people have ever known personal peace so willing are they to go into conflict, almost by default.

At the end of the day, I’m at peace, because my intentions are good and my heart is pure.

Buddha

I choose peace. I choose that personal space inside which there is calm even in the storm outside. And, paradoxically, sometimes maintaining that peace actually means joining a conflict because we answer our conscience’s call to do what is right and in return our conscience gives peace within. We have that deep sense of doing what is right which can maintain us in difficult times.

So, there’s conflict at all levels but it starts with someone, often an individual or a small group of like minded people. The conflict we are witnessing in Ukraine is not the collective decision of the thousands of Russian soldiers who have crossed the borders. It’s not the decision of their commanders. If we trace the decision to its source there will be an individual or a small group who hold sway. Conflict start with individuals. At its most fundamental its a personal thing which is magnified according to the power and influence the person/s hold.

There may be truth in the saying that if you cut off the head of the snake the body dies.

Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

Anon

If we are ever to see peace in our world it has to commence at the most fundamental level. Until men and women have peace in their own lives, deep heart felt peace, there can be no lasting peace. Without individuals knowing peace there will always be jealousy, envy, dislike, selfishness. The roots of conflict. But if peace is my guide, I have a perfect way of knowing when I am not behaving or functioning at my best. And when I am I bring peace to the world.

This week Pogue, choose peace. Walk the long way around for peace. Re-exam those decisions that don’t sit as easy as you’d wish. Put yourself first in this respect only, that you travel with peace in your heart. Believe me, it’s a life upgrade.

Yours, upgrading life continually,

Wic