Peace Starts from Within Us

Peace Starts from Within Us

peace

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We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.” – Dalai Lama

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I couldn’t have said it better than his Holiness. I have previously asked if there is a quietest place on Earth and I got funny answers like in the cemetery or only dead people are quiet. It was good to read the lighter sides to that question.

Some of them gave serious and thoughtful answers through their personal experiences; they had found the quietest place from hikes in the Rocky mountains while looking into the eyes of an eagle or quietness in moments of solitary amidst the vastness of the Sonoran desert or simply just be surrounded by nature.

The majority of people shared my thought that the quietest place is found in everyone – within oneself. It is easy for one to find peace during good times. But when one find peace within himself/herself, one can even find peace in the most traumatic and challenging time.

Through this peace that one find within oneself, one can obtain peace with others like what His Holiness, Dalai Lama said. And through this peace that one obtain with others, we can have peace in the world. Do you think that is possible? I believe it is possible.

Besides peace we make with ourselves, we must also be compassionate and kind to each other; treating each other with loving kindness as if you would be treating your family and friends. There is a saying, “There are no strangers in this world, but only friends we have not met.” And Mitch Albom said in his book, “Strangers are family you have yet to come to know.” There is a certain truth to this as I believe we are interconnected in this world. What we are doing may indirectly affect another.

Since we are not living life as a hermit, there are bound to be communication with people around us. With communication, misunderstanding can easily arise. There is a need for mutual understanding and respect for each other difference. Failing to put ourselves in another shoes usually lead to conflicts. This can be otherwise averted if we are not too quick to judge others or situations. Let us practice less haste and more patience.

When we are compassionate and kind to others, others will eventually reciprocate with compassion and kindness also. You may ask why it should start from us? Like Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Let us be the change and let us inspire others to follow. And together with mutual understanding and respect for each other difference, peace in the world is highly achievable.

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It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

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22 thoughts on “Peace Starts from Within Us

  1. Tracy

    “Be the change you want to see in the world.”…this has long been a huge inspiration and manta to keep in mind. As is Thich Nhat Hahn’s book Peace is Every Step–the title alone inspiring change. During this time which can be quite hectic, finding moment of peace is essential. And with a New Year soon dawning, being and instrument of peace in the world–I like this! Happy Days :o) ((HUGS))

  2. Tina T

    I like the idea of being the change you want to see. It is easy to feel that good things do not need to begin with us. But if not with us, then with whom? I have had so many people show me kindness that I cannot fully repay, so I try to show my thankfulness for this by passing it on to someone who probably cannot repay my kindness.
    .-= Tina T´s last blog ..Celebrities and Relationships =-.

    1. Symphony of Love Post author

      @ Pam, I just love that quote by Gandhi and has been using it to remind me constantly to be the change I want to see in the world.

      @ housewife, pardon me if I may misunderstood your meaning. It is easier said than done for sure. And yet there has to be the first step for every journey. This is one journey that requires everyone to be united and starting from ourselves we can achieve this one person at a time.

      @ Meleah, it is not easy to do but whatever you need to give for a moment of peace is already in you … and I know it is not easy. And that is how we learn and grow.

      @ Tracy, I have been keeping the quote in mind and hopefully applying it successfully too. Peace is Every Step – this seems like an interesting book to read. I shall keep this in mind and try to find it when I am in the library next time. Have great days too. 🙂

      @ Hilary, indeed, it is all the words the world needs to hear.

      @ Tina, I couldn’t have said it better, “… if not with us, then with whom?”

      @ Lisa, it will definitely be for the better … when everyone starts from within himself/herself. 🙂

  3. VanillaSeven

    Agree with you BK. Peace shall start from within our heart. Have you heard Melody Gardot / Over The Rainbow? She will be performing this coming march in Singapore, and I will surely watch the show. Hope you like her performance too.

    Have a great weekend BK!
    .-= VanillaSeven´s last blog ..Human made bird nest =-.

  4. Cathy Voisard

    I so always enjoy your uplifting posts…thanks again. I do believe peace is within us, and as far as world peace I do hope:

    Imagine there’s no Heaven
    It’s easy if you try
    No hell below us
    Above us only sky
    Imagine all the people
    Living for today

    Imagine there’s no countries
    It isn’t hard to do
    Nothing to kill or die for
    And no religion too
    Imagine all the people
    Living life in peace

    You may say that I’m a dreamer
    But I’m not the only one
    I hope someday you’ll join us
    And the world will be as one

    Imagine no possessions
    I wonder if you can
    No need for greed or hunger
    A brotherhood of man
    Imagine all the people
    Sharing all the world

    You may say that I’m a dreamer
    But I’m not the only one
    I hope someday you’ll join us
    And the world will live as one
    –John Lennon
    .-= Cathy Voisard´s last blog ..A Christmas Story =-.

  5. Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord

    I love this, and believe that world peace starts with inner peace for the simple fact that we are all interconnected and everything is energy. Therefore when I am at peace with myself, I send that energy into the world and it ripples outward and affects others.
    I’m glad you talked about being compassionate toward others, as well – whether we know them or not. When we talk about tending to our own inner peace I think some people take that to mean that they should isolate themselves from the world. Quite the opposite. I think we need to interact with others; after all, they teach us more about who we are and what challenges we have yet to overcome internally.
    Much love, joy and peace to you always!
    .-= Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..Funny Cookies =-.

    1. Symphony of Love Post author

      @ Jude, thank you my friend, and glad to hear that you are feeling very peaceful now.

      @ VanillaSeven, pardon me, I remember you telling me about Melody but I forgotten to take a look at you. I should really check it out tonight. Have a great weekend too.

      @ Cathy, thank you. And thank you for sharing the song by John Lennon.

      @ Megan, indeed, we can all be translated into energy. And when we are in peace, that energy will be sent to others too. Yes, I agree with you that inner peace is definitely not about isolating oneself. Thank you for your wishes. Much love, joy and peace to you always too.

  6. Patricia

    Wonderful quotes that remind me to stop and find peace in the moment.

    I particularly like Eleanor Roosevelt’s words, because it is worth working on – finding that inner peace on a regular basis.

    Oh imagine if everyone was kind to each other…it is what I like best about Dr. Rosenberg’s Compassionate Communications work….problem solving through connection.

    Thank you for this good reminder
    .-= Patricia´s last blog ..Peaceful Service – Practices of Peace =-.

    1. Symphony of Love Post author

      @ Patricia, Eleanor Roosevelt’s words are powerful indeed to get us into action. She is right, we not only have to believe in peace but we also have to take steps toward it.

  7. Eren Mckay

    My name means peace. I believe that surrounding our environment with calm music and talking to ourselves to remain calm is a very good way to stay at peace. I agree that outer circumstances do not cause peace. It is found within our soul as you said. The fast paced society has made it very hard for people to discover this kind of peace. They are so busy doing, that they never stop and smell the roses. They never stop to just feel serenity.
    It makes for a bunch of neurotic and uptight people going around totally stressed out.
    Love your writings.
    Blessings,
    Eren
    .-= Eren Mckay´s last blog ..How to stay calm while being more productive =-.

    1. Symphony of Love Post author

      @ Eren, I like your idea of surrounding oneself with calming music and talking to ourselves to remain calm. One thing which I always do is to listen to classical music while I am driving so that I can remain calm. It may not have always worked but so far so good. What is most important is that we control what is within us than what is outside of us. I agree with you that it is a challenge for most to find the peace within them considering the hectic lifestyle that they are going through everyday. I hope they can stay calm while being more productive. 🙂