International Day of Peace is observed each year on September 21. The United Nations General Assembly declares this day as one devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and people. Specifically for 2017 the theme is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.”
It’s true we can look around and wonder if we’re actually moving in the right direction towards peace. We have such a long way to go, and yet we can’t allow ourselves to be discouraged or to stop looking for ways to reflect peace in our lives.
I’m profoundly affected by this bit of wisdom from Eckhart Tolle:
“You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life, but by realizing who you are at the deepest level.”
I feel the truth of this in my core. I believe that deeply knowing who you are is actually key to everything.
It’s my belief that we are all sparks of the divine, here, now on this beloved planet, as individuated points of focus. Dancing as we have habitually for millennia in a field of polarity, caught up in the illusion that we’re separate, but ever-more increasingly opening to remembering that we are not.
When we know ourselves and we know we’re not truly separate, then there is no alternative but peace.
It doesn’t mean we have to be best friends with everyone and hang out together, share the same views, or be clones. Absolutely not. But there is neutral beneficence present. You being you is accorded the same respect and sovereignty as me being me. We co-exist peacefully. How perfectly this year’s peace theme reflects this – Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All. I would add equitable sharing of resources, and of course would prefer we envelop it all in liberal doses of loving-kindness, but I think we always lean into our own particular flavor preferences.
But the real deep work I think is coming to that place of seeing ourselves in wholeness. From a place of love. Celebrating our gifts. Holding the same for everyone.
I’m inspired by the worlds of Carlos Santana, who said:
“The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.”
I want to be encouraged, I want to be inspired, I want to see the ideals of peace strengthened; and someday I hope we won’t dedicate a day to it because we’ll be living it wholly.
Again and again and again I keep returning to the admonishment from Ram Dass:
“We are all just walking each other home.”
May you celebrate today in peace, and may we manifest even greater peace tomorrow.
Dear Deborah,
Another very beautiful and inspiring article. I needed this confirmation, today.
Thank you. Kind regards,
Patty
I’m so glad Patty that this was what you needed. Wishing you much peace always!
Dear Deborah,
Peace to you and yours today and always. The world needs more people sharing such beautiful thoughts. I hadn’t realised that yesterday was especially dedicated to peace – amazing that we need such a thing – but it’s good to make people more aware to send good thoughts out into the world.
Love and light
Fil
Peace to you and yours always as well Fil. How beautiful it will be one day when we don’t need a day observing peace, or even the concept of United Nations – as we all celebrate the One Earth collective of Love/Light.
Thank you Deborah – all your posts radiate peace and your neutral loving beneficent heart. We are all indeed just walking each other home . Thank you again and may Peace reign and rain upon our troubled earth.
Your kind words touch my heart Susan – thank you. And I love that image of Peace reigning and raining – how beautiful!
Oh Deborah, this is a wonderful post! I love Eckhart Tolle. He is the real deal, and he is truly an enlightened soul. Reading further, I had to laugh because I just saw Carlos Santana, and honestly, I have a Ram Dass book next to my bed! Yes, WE ARE ONE! And we must do our part individually to make sure that the light of love shines down on everyone…everywhere…all the time! For that is the only way to have an everlasting Peace! And what is that line by Linus at the end of Charlie Brown’s Christmas, my favorite Christmas movie??? …”and on earth, peace and good will toward men.”
Oh Vicki – our synchronistic connections make me laugh, and delight my heart. And yes, yes, yes, to peace and good will as the reigning Earth paradigm.
Hi Deborah – we need peaceful calm souls in our lives … and around us, and then in a larger sphere – we can all help the world find peace … as you say it starts with each one of us. Cheers Hilary
It does start with us, and yet it’s such a joy then to find others who are in resonance with us. For me that’s the exciting part of the journey, and the wonderfulness that proves together we can make exponentially more profound differences.
Good morning, Deborah,
Such a wonderful post. Such kindred spirit-ness I feel with you.
Everything you say, it’s how I feel too. I love your references too – 3 of my faves.
All the work we do on ourselves, and the love we feel helps us all toward Peace, Love and Oneness. Thank you for your beautiful work.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Thanks Mary – I appreciate your kind words. And I agree, I think the work we do on ourselves and the love we extend is really what it’s all about. There really isn’t anything else we have control over.