September 21 was International Peace Day. It seemed to have passed this year without much fanfare, and so I would like to make Monday, October 6, Peace at Home and Peace at Work and Peace on the Road Day. Let all your actions and words profess love and peace throughout the day and see how good it feels. Once you do this wholeheartedly one day, you’ll want to do it each and every day.
If we can’t make peace in our own homes and in our own hearts, there will be no lasting peace in the world. When parents argue, fight, and bicker constantly, children learn the art of war. When parents love each other heart, soul, mind, and body and find peaceful ways to deal with their differences, children learn the art of peace So, this Monday, when you are home, see if you can speak kind and loving words, refrain from raising your voice, and try your best to really listen to your family members when they talk. Agree to disagree and make a truce, if need be. Let bygones be bygones and choose to start over again, from this day forward to find better and healthier ways of interacting. If you need to make amends, do so. If you need to say you’re sorry, say it. When was the last time you said, “I love you” to your children or your mate? Those words need to be said each and every day.
At work, try to get along with your coworkers. Stop feeling the need to be right and prove others wrong. If someone at work throws you a hook and wants to start a fight, dodge that bullet by turning that warlike energy around by answering with a kind, loving, and straight response. Use this peace day as a reminder that you’re all on the same team. Learn to work together and stop keeping tallies as to who did this or who didn’t do that. Do your job to the best of your ability. If necessary go that extra Biblical mile.
And as you travel to and from work — try remembering that those people on the train, or walking, or on the bus, or in their car, are also tired, stressed out, and just want to get home. Be courteous in your actions. When driving, yield and let someone get on the parkway. Keep a safe distance and don’t use your vehicle as a weapon as you dangerously tailgate someone. If someone makes a mistake and by the Grace of God an accident is avoided, don’t curse out the person who made the mistake, rather get on your knees and thank God for your safe return home. If you were the one who made a careless mistake, see this as a wake-up call to pay more attention to your driving.
Once you’ve mastered one day of peace, and you see how good it feels, you’ll want to make this your regular way of interacting with others.
Pray for Peace. Acknowledge that the world is an abundant place, and resist believing in the scarcity principle, especially in these trying economic times.
Be peace. Radiate peace. Believe in peace. It is the way.