A person what asked me what Peace is? I did not have a good answer, and I turned into a rambling mess. Peace is a subjective term. The word, Peace, perhaps had a different meaning to Gandhi than it did for someone like Chairman Mao, yet it has been the fascination of individuals across the world for centuries, as well as thousands of years.
Let's focus on the removal of destruction. Free our material world from the dangers and torments that come each day. This can only be done with unity. However, as one individual who lost his child in the Columbine shooting points out, too much focus on unity leads to too much compromise. It must be possible for us to envisage a world where we can share ideas, stand by our principles, but not respond with anger.
One of the largest threats to the stability of humanity exists on the internet. Behind the guise of the computer screen human beings are using verbal abuse as form of idea expression. This promotes destructive behavior into the world. It is possible to share ideas without attacking someone else's character or making assumptions about the nature of their intellect.
One night while Channel Surfing on the television, I encountered a panel discussion featuring the talk show host, Tom Green. He grew to fame as a shocking MTV personality, and I was surprised to find him on a show about medicine and psychology. He stated that there is a very dark and violent nature of humanity that has always been there, but just now because of the internet we are learning about it. His intention is to say that there were many incidents of abuse, both physical and verbal all throughout the discussion of ideas, they were just not recorded. Moreover, individuals held very dark, negative, and even destructive feelings toward other people, but they did not show them because they were not able to hide behind the anonymity of the comment sections.
We live in a world of destruction, yet as Leibniz reminds us...without relent...this is the best of all possible worlds, for in this world we have the possibility to correct any problem, to find any solution, and to forge an antidote to any ailment.
One of the first steps we, the people, can take is to show more kindness on the internet, to uphold a standard of integrity when it comes to sharing ideas, to choose the idea over the emotion, and begin to engage in conversation as opposed to argumentation. Unity without compromise is possible.
I am not a realist. I am an idealist. Let's strive forward to a standard of excellence that will bring joy, courtesy, consciousness, sharing, love, optimism, and success to as many people as possible. Listen not to the cynics who doubt the amazement of showing polite words to those who disagree with you. Listen not to those who say that a world where people coexist is impossible. Listen to those who want to share a message with the world, a message of care, nurture, strength, honor, passion, and support. Do no harm, but do not accept any abuse. Do not hurt, but stand tall in defense, both in the literal and metaphorical sense.
It can all begin with sharing words of kindness instead of words of destruction. If love is all there is, let us honor love in its own maximum perfection.
