Many people say they want peace: peace among nations, peace between tribes or ethnic groups, peace among religions, even peace between family members. Such a large number of people want peace, so why don't we have it? Is it really so elusive? Peace means compromise. No single person or group is going to get what they want whenever they want--this is not realistic. However, we tend to view compromise as a weakness, when in fact, compromise is power. Compromise is how you can meet everyone's needs. There is enough for everyone on the planet. Peace also means being able to participate. Fear is the single greatest obstacle to peace--the fear that we won't get enough; fear of the other, who we don't understand them, or whose views do not match ours. When you put people in fear of other peoples and beliefs, this indicates an attempt to control other people change their views. We believe we can make other people change their way of thinking. Even if you are “right,” for example, you use words in an attempt to change people, instead of guns and bombs. Repressive legislation is also due to fear. Naturally, we can't find peace in politics, treaties or legislation, even though these things could reflect a peaceful society. Peace emanates from within each one of us. It starts when we decide we really want for ourselves first and choose to live peaceful lives. If something makes you unpeaceful, you can eliminate it from your life or change the way you think about it. You can choose to withdraw from activities that are not peaceful. If you read some news that you find disturbing, stop reading said news until such time as you can keep your peace. People who want peace are reluctant to destabilize the peace of others. This is the nature of peace--we must work in a peaceful manner. If we look at peace in the world, we can find all the examples that we need to choose a peaceful life: for example, Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. Most agree that these people were peaceful. They were able to influence large numbers of people for the better. Peace is incredibly powerful. We cannot force the world to change for the better, but when you live in peace, we give it for ourselves and for others. Are you ready for this? Are you ready for peace? Are you willing to give up your fears and the need to control others? Are you willing to accept people as they are, without trying to change them? Can you live, and let the other live, even when you do not agree with them? Can you compromise when you need to compromise? Peace is now inside you if you want it.
