“Mankind must not only seek Peace. We must pursue it with all the deeply felt sincerity of our hearts. We must pursue Peace with the diligent work of our hands every day in every relationship we know. Peace comes a little at a time, rippling outward until one day it touches and convinces all.”

– Denny Lyon, 3 March 2009

There will always be those who reject Peace, both internationally and at home in our own families as they choose to remain contentious. Endeavor to be at Peace with others as much as possible, sometimes by just walking away from a useless fight you know will accomplish nothing. Often that is enough to keep things from bubbling over into a full scale war. Gives new meaning to the phrase “keeping the Peace,” doesn’t it?

As I was searching for some great quotes I was struck by how many were attributed to President John F. Kennedy. Though his tenure was brief at the White House he was known as a deep thinker. Early in his Presidency he was facing some of the world’s first nuclear attacks since WWII. He was keenly aware of war and humanity’s mind.

The notion of Peace is often discussed on an international scale, especially by Peace activists. They talk about Peace as an outward manifestation of military battles causing destruction and loss of life.

From another point of view Peace is discussed by spiritual and self-improvement people as acquiring Inner Peace. Of course, the full blown version of war is sending one’s military into battle. But where does it begin? In the heart of mankind. When humanity chooses to be at Peace internally then the outer manifestations will cease. It’s a simple concept yet difficult to implement until the desire reaches critical mass.

These are some intriguing quotes to ponder.

“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.”

“I look forward to a great future for America - a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose.”

“Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.”

“Those who make peaceful revolutions impossible will make violent revolutions inevitable.”

“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.”

There was a wonderful story found on the internet. It was so badly written this writer decided to help it along to spread its wings, delivering its beautiful message.

***

There was an old man who lived, lonely, in a humble house of stone lost in the country.

One night someone violently broke into his home. It was a foolish young boy who had a knife and looked very scared. He said to the old man: “Give me everything you have or I kill you, old man!”

The elder said to the boy: “There is not much here. Take everything you see; it’s yours.”

The youngster was now even more fearful because of the calm reaction from the owner. Violently he began to gather everything in sight: some ornaments, a piece of cloth, a candle holder and other worthless simple crafts.

The old man looked upon the boy quietly while he finished his search. With his hands full, he warned the old man, “Now I’ll go. Don’t follow me or you are dead!”

The foolish young boy left the small house. After some minutes of walking at a fast pace, the boy realized that someone was behind him, and, as he turned back, the elder said to him: “Don’t be afraid; it’s me.”

“I told you not to follow me, silly old man!”

“When you left I remembered I had this golden ring in a box. Here it is; take it.” And he turned away from the boy, leaving to return to his house.

The boy was so shocked with what was happening that he took the ring and started running wildly in circles while he shouted, “Madman, madman!”

It had started to rain.

A couple of hours later, the elder heard a knock on his door. When he opened the door he saw the young thief, wet with rain - and tears.

“What do you want now? I gave you everything I had!” declared the old man.

“No, you didn’t; give me everything,” said the boy desperately.

“Yes, I swear to you I did give you everything.”

“No, you gave me everything you had in your house but you didn’t give me what I really need.”

“I have nothing else to give.”

“Your Inner Peace, wise man, give me Peace; teach me, please,” the boy pleaded.

In that moment of decision a new path began – for both the old man and the boy. The old man was lonely no longer with a student to teach. The boy would learn the wisdom of putting to rest his warring ways to achieve Peace. In time his turn will come to teach the ways of Peace to the next generation.

Photo by >WouteR< @ flickr

Photo by alicepopkorn @ flickr

Photo by Jayel Aheram @ flickr

Photo by *Honest* @ flickr

Photo by HAMED MASOUMI @ flickr

Photo by takomabibelot @ flickr

Photo by TheAlieness GiselaGiardino23 @ flickr

Photo of Peace Rose by audreyjm529 @ flickr

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