BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following poem was penned by Barrie resident Alastair MacLeod.
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WHERE DOES PEACE START?
Where does peace start?
In the heart of each person who believes beyond a doubt it can be achieved.
When does peace start?
When we ‘Do not let the behaviour of others destroy [our] inner peace.’
Why does peace start?
Because we uphold the Golden Rule — the common precept in EVERY major world religion — ‘do unto others’…
Peace doesn’t start in a trench or a mobile rocket launcher…
Nor in the cockpit of a fighter jet nor on the gun deck of a ship.
Peace starts in the heart of every person who stands firm in the face of those who choose to undermine the natural harmony and balance.
Peace starts because we want to see that balance restored.
Peace starts when we talk with our brothers & sisters—even those we dislike—even those who dislike us.
Peace starts because we know it is the better way.
Peace starts now, knowing it will take a long time.
Peace is decided… made… not declared. Peace is a process, not an end.
Peace requires perpetual action. Like love, Peace has to be preserved and Peace has to be distributed… Peace has to be crafted and preserved and distributed again… and again…
It’s not easy making and keeping peace… but we can choose to not fight… we may not be at peace, but we are not fighting… and if we are not fighting, there may be room to talk. And if we talk, we may grow to appreciate what is common, what we share… and even see where our differences might lay. That can lead to deciding Peace.
The first place to look for peace?
On the other side of our vanity. Once there, we ALL — EVERY ONE — must do unto others… as explained by Jesus, Rabbi Hillel, Allah, The Buddha or Confucius. Then it is easier to make peace… to maintain peace and distribute peace.
It’s pretty hard to fight with someone you are embracing.
Alastair MacLeod
Barrie
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