Guest opinion: One day for peace not too much to ask
Is it possible to celebrate peace in Spokane while we are confronted daily with reports of violence in the world, the city and in our homes? Many of us are struggling to figure out what is peace, how to make peace and who should be involved. As few people will disagree that peace is desirable, the concept of peace is interpreted in many different ways and all are interconnected.
Lao Tzu, a philosopher (600 B.C.E.), makes the connection this way:
“If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations.
“If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities.
“If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors.
“If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home.
“If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart.”
On Friday, the world is celebrating the International Day of Peace. This day was originally established by the United Nations in 1981 and celebrated when the United Nations General Assembly opened on the third Monday of September. Nobody, except the delegates of the 191 member countries, heard the secretary-general ring the peace bell. The world community was not aware, nor did it participate.
Through the passionate efforts of a young British filmmaker, Jeremy Gilley – who had a vision of worldwide celebrations and actions on this day of peace – the General Assembly in 2001 fixed Sept. 21 as the U.N. International Day of Peace. It will be celebrated as a day of cease-fire and nonviolence. World celebrities such as former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Dalai Lama, soccer star David Beckham, actress Angelina Jolie and many more made their voices heard in their heartfelt endorsement to make this day a reality.
Cynics among us might wonder what difference one day will make. One day seems so insignificant. Experts say quite the opposite. One day of cease-fire would mean an opportunity for humanitarian aid workers to bring needed food and medicines, such as immunizations for children, to war-torn areas. And as a start, this commitment might eventually turn into bigger efforts to achieve permanent peace in many areas of the world.
However, peace is not just the absence of war. It is a state of mind and heart that has the capacity to spread as a positive force. Working toward peace goes beyond stopping wars. To achieve peace in nations means working for justice at all levels of society. When justice is absent, conflicts simmer and grow. When groups in the community work toward healing the hurt that comes from poverty, racism and violence, including intimate partner violence, they are working to make peace in the cities. When people give in order for others to have food, shelter, health care, books for prisoners, trips and gifts for terminally ill children, they are peacemakers on many different levels.
Many individuals as professionals and advocates work to teach individuals, families and groups to deal with conflict in nonviolent ways and work on peace in the neighborhood and in the home. Many individuals are involved in faith and spiritual communities committed to increasing peace in their hearts. All of these activities are interconnected and relate to achieving peace in the heart, the family, the neighborhood, the cities and nations.
What will you do to make peace possible? Author Wayne Dyer asks the question: “When you have a choice to be right or kind, which will you choose?”
His advice is to always choose to be kind, as this contributes to making peace.
On Friday, Spokane will join in the celebration of the International Day of Peace. Dr. Raymond Reyes, vice president for Intercultural Relations at Gonzaga University, will speak at 7:00 p.m. in the Globe Room in Cataldo Hall at Gonzaga University. His address is titled: “The Architecture of Peace: Passion, Patience and Presence.”
This observation of the International Day of Peace is to gather persons of good will with different understandings and approaches to peace to build upon our common ground, share our dreams and facilitate common hopes for Peace One Day. It means, in the words of one peacemaker, Prem Rawat: “Peace does not belong to any nation. Peace does not belong to any society. Peace does not belong to any religion. Peace belongs to people. People like you and me.”
All are welcome to join in this celebration of peace.