B4Peace – Love thy neighbour

I agreed to join the growing ranks of  because I thought it a worthwhile cause. My commitment, is to write one post a month for twelve months, with each one showing a different meaning of Peace. So I chose for my opening post the following…

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. Mother Teresa.

Whether your belief is in God or Evolution, the conclusions will always be the same… we came from the same origin. Does it honestly matter if it was a rib or an amoeba, or whatever else you call it. Because as Mother Teresa quite poignantly said, have we forgotten that we belong to each other.

And that is the point.

How many times have you passed a person in the street and turned your head away, or looked at the floor. What is it that you afraid of? Okay, I know in today’s climate we have a fear of people getting the wrong idea, but who is losing out?

Both parties.

When I took up hiking a couple of years ago, I found myself surprised at how openly pleasant people were, it seemed that the hiking fraternity had no qualms in saying a cheery hello, or even smiling. Soon enough, I found myself doing the same thing. And I learned that it didn’t cause me any unforeseeable harm, nor did the ground open and swallow me whole. So how was it that these people were different?

Peace.

So what if they were trudging a muddy lane where it came over their hiking boots (if they weren’t wearing gaiters, of course). So what if the sky was as dark as night and it hadn’t stopped raining all day. So what if they’d forgotten to pack their waterproof clothing (no wait, that was me). The point is, no matter the conditions they had found some kind of peace, which despite the weather, they still found it in themselves to acknowledge my existence. And so in turn, I acknowledged them.

What am I suggesting.

I’m not saying you should go out there at this very moment and start grabbing people in bear-hugs. I wouldn’t want you to get locked up. Just, if you can, give a warm smile to that elderly gentlemen walking towards you, say ‘hello‘ or ‘hi‘, whatever takes your fancy, there are no rules set in stone for you to follow. Fine, you may not get the response you were expecting, it takes times for the magic to work with some people. But believe me when I say, though, that simple gesture does make a difference.

If you lack the confidence, try it out on a neighbour first. Baby steps are probably a better idea to start with.

Now just think. What if everyone in the world took it upon themselve to do this at least once a day… go on, I dare you, bring a little peace and love to another, I know you want to. Besides, you’ll soon feel the peace flowing through you in return. You know, that warm, churny feeling in your stomach… doesn’t it feel great!

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

I expect to see plenty of happy, smiling faces next time people, but for now, here’s a fellow campaigner for you to visit…

Mirth and Motivation.

Peace Out.