To the editor:
There is the grand picture of Peace on Earth, and then there is a vision much more personal. This time of the year many capture the longing for global peace, and this image is a beautiful one to keep in our mind’s eye. Believe it or not — it will come.
But we cannot afford to wait for the world to give us peace on our earth and in our own lives. It is a great joy to give to others; tis better to give than to receive! There is a gift that I want to receive this year, and it is a rare gift, one that cannot be unwrapped or tied with ribbon and string but long for, desperately.
Sometimes the ‘peacemakers’ are not only disliked, they are targets of dislike or hate. This might be because they try to force peace, and it cannot be forced. Peace is not just the absence of external conflict. Peace is not plastic and superficial where we pretend that everything is OK, either. Peace is the greatest gift on this earth but believe it or not, it is costly.
I am learning to let go of trying to make peace with those who are committed to chaos. If someone is committed to misunderstanding me, I have to stay committed to understanding myself.
There is a book I read, and highly recommend, called “Safe People.” People who are safe are people who have created boundaries around their energy, too, and because of this, honor the boundaries we have made for ourselves.
If we have cultivated peace within, our bodies can inform us of what is going on in our hearts and minds, where we might have disconnected from ourselves. I am going to gift myself this holiday season with internal tidings of peace, love and joy.
In this busy season of gifting others, may we gift ourselves with finding peace on our personal corner of the earth. Taking care of ourselves is not selfish. I am not talking about getting our nails done, either. I am referring to putting our mental health and overall well-being first, before we set out to care for others. Love is a gift that we give to ourselves, first, and it is the forerunner to peace in our own backyard. I call it shalom, shalom!
Not everyone will jump up for joy at this found treasure in ourselves: that is, unless they are pursuing peace, too. Even if peace seems too good to be true, whether with ourselves or this imperfect world, it most surely is not. But, it is going to cost us something. We just have to decide if we are willing to pay the price and if so, know that finding it within ourselves is good enough.
Brendalee Baughman
Broughton Road
