It may be tempting to look at what is unfolding in the world right now and want to hide. We may find ourselves feeling hopeless or helpless. You may find yourself asking what can I possibly do to make a difference? It seems like we are witnessing one form of collective darkness after another being pulled out of their shadowy hiding places. Perhaps this is our wake-up call to make peace a priority individually and collectively. Instead spreading more judgement, fear, and criticism we are faced with an opportunity to reflect the opposite.
It may be our default to focus on what is wrong in the world around us. Afterall that is what we are bombarded with on the news and in our social media feeds. But what if we made it our goal to focus on and share what is right in the world right now? What if we choose our words with care and consideration, striving to bring peace and harmony to all of our interactions. Imagine if instead of giving in to the instinct to defend ourselves in conflict, we instead chose to find understanding? If instead of judging differences, we decided to appreciate them?
We cannot change anything from the same mindset that created it. Complaining and criticizing may provide a sense of relief in the moment or get us likes on social media, but is that just contributing the same division that is fueling the conflict we see all around us? I realized I cannot bring peace to the world right now, but I can bring more peace to my world right now.
Sometimes we are the most careless with the people we spend the most time with. I can make sure the people I love know how special they are to me. I can slow down and take the time to really pay attention to the needs of those in my immediate surroundings. I can look for the wounds that need tending. I can keep my arms, ears, and heart open. I can search out any lingering barriers to love within me. Unforgiveness, resentment, and judgement feel like luxuries I cannot afford in times like these.
All of these actions feel like small things compared to the tragedies we are witnessing all around us. But if I stop for a moment and imagine each and every one of us making a commitment to bringing more peace into our little spheres of influence, I find a sense of hope. Hope for a future where the imaginary lines we have drawn to divide us fade way. Hope for a better world for future generations. It feels counterintuitive and counter cultural to be joyful in times like these, but isn’t more joy and peace is exactly what this hurting world needs? Instead of turning away from the pain and suffering all around us, we can choose to turn towards it and show our support by sowing seeds of peace in each of our worlds.