truce

Yesterday a high school classmate (oh so many years ago) posted the nomination acceptance speech of Richard Nixon in 1968. Richard Nixon was a greatly flawed president of the United State. That being said, he spoke something in that speech that I though very insightful. He said, "I believe we must have peace. I believe that we can have peace, but I do not underestimate the difficulty of that task. Because, you see, the art of preserving peace is greater than that of waging war and much more demanding."

The reason I find it so insightful is for the use of the words "the art of preserving peace". For the use of the word art suggests there is no hard and fast rule to preserve peace.  No formula that fits for surely then it would be a science.  And then, if we had that formula, the one precise formula that would provide peace, wouldn't we apply it? But then, he did say, preserving peace. There could be some justification that, taking the whole world in consideration, there has been no true peace worldwide to apply such a formula. Do you see the quandary?

If you live without fear of war where you live, you are blessed, for there are many that do not. We need to be aware and do what we can, what we should, and what we must to aid others; to bless them.

But I will take this to another level, what about the war within? Most of us fight those inner struggles, often times holding on to the strife because that is all we know. The letting go in much more demanding that the holding on to the known. Do you realize the many companies that do not provide effective customer service rely on our holding on to what we already have rather than making a change even when what we have is bad?

Believing there is no science to taming the inner turmoil, then what art would you choose?  Provide that you are ready for that demanding task.  Here is my first suggestion, make a plan. What are you fighting? Because if you don't have a goal, how are you going to achieve it?  Think through your options for a plan of action? Faith, meditation, diet, exercise, tai chi, qigong, yoga, acupuncture, education, walking away.  Notice I didn't way run away, but sometimes walking away is a positive and viable option. And lastly, reflection. Did it work?

There is only one you with your unique sets of thoughts, talents and gifts. Aren't you worth worth the effort, no matter how difficult the task?  Why not bless yourself today by taking on the challenge of creating your own inner peace.

Blessings.