Dona Nobis Pacem

There are so many of us out there who would like to see the world live in peace with one another. Each and every nation has citizens that crave an existence where they can walk the streets with their head held high, not fearing who or what may me lurking around the next corner.

But what about those countries that seem hell bent on hatred and the ever present threat of violence emanating from every nook and cranny of their being?

That my friends is a perception and not a reality. True there are a great many who would like nothing more than to carry on these plans of oppression and venomous disregard for the rest of society, but don't think for a moment that everyone under their regime holds those same feelings.

Fear and intimidation has a very powerful way of squashing our hopes and ambitions. The human heart however, has a tremendous resilience to these actions and the people behind them. The very ones that seek to keep us in the shadows are ultimately powerless to win over our hearts and souls as long as we keep that flame burning deep within us.

We often speak of how we can change a community, a nation, or even the world. We think of these as noble goals for the good of mankind. Perhaps they are, but the word "we" must be changed to the word "I" if any real change is to happen.

When I try to change those around me it only serves to frustrate me and bring more illumination to the fact that I am the one in need of change first and foremost.

When I get irritated at the waitress because she didn't bring me the change broken out into the proper denominations for her tip, then it's not up to her to change, but my heart attitude toward her.

When the guy cuts me off on the freeway, I shouldn't want to retaliate and "one-up him". I should take a deep breath and know that I'll still make it to my destination.

Now obviously saying these things is one thing, putting them into practice is quite another. This is just the human condition. We tend to want what "we" want. We want to get to work on time, and we want to have an uneventful drive too. Problem is, the other guy has his own agenda and it very likely does not coincide with ours. Now what? Do I hit the throttle and try to accomplish my goal, or do I acquiesce and allow his priorities to override my own?

This may be an oversimplified view of peace, but isn't that where it all starts? On the simplest of levels. Small steps of care and consideration for our fellow man, leading to bigger and bolder actions of a global scale.


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This Blog Blast for Peace has been the vision of Mimi of mimiwrites. You will likely see several posts today carrying this theme, Dona Nobis Pacem, I hope you will take the time to read them and explore the possibilities.