Written by Lisa Rutherford
Peace is a challenge. It is much easier on paper than in real life. Yet as this year begins and after just celebrating the birth of Jesus, called the Prince of Peace, we must renew our vision for peace not only worldwide but in our own individual lives. But that’s often a real challenge. Having lived here for fifteen years, I’ve found that many in our community work to create an environment of peace and support. I admire those in our community who head organizations that work to create a community where citizens can celebrate their relationships with others, feel trust and harmony, and develop their spiritual natures. However, I’ve also found, living in an area where trust and some naivety exists, that there are those who will take advantage of that trust to satisfy their own selfish needs.
I’ve always wanted to be a person who is trusting and approaches others with open arms and an open heart. That’s why I admire those who do so easily, because I know how difficult it is for me to do it. During my life, however, I’ve learned that some healthy skepticism is not necessarily a bad thing. I’ve witnessed situations in which groups and organizations have been demolished by individuals who are more interested in their own futures than the future of the organization of which they are a member. Instead of buying into the vision of the organization, they are working on their own vision and have their own well-being and success in mind. I know what it’s like not to have the same goals as an organization, and when that happens, the peace and harmony that exist are challenged. But with me, when that happens, it’s time to leave the situation, not force myself on others and make it worse.
I’m not sure how valuable my advice is, but given what I’ve witnessed — how lives can be turned upside down when too much trust is offered too quickly — I would advise people as they begin this new year not to approach it with negativity or pessimism but to just have a healthy dose of questioning when things don’t seem quite right. Our senses can be very useful, and we should pay attention to those “gut” feelings. If new people come on the scene and they seem too sweet, too cooperative, too engaging, too helpful, or too aggressive, take a minute, step back, and give the relationship with these new folks time to develop more completely so their true selves become apparent. Interestingly, these are things we often advise our children as they are growing up and gaining independence, since we are concerned about their becoming involved with the wrong people. Somehow, we have a tendency to forget this as adults and become even more vulnerable than we would like our children to be.
So peace to all as 2016 begins. Enjoy others, and seek peace in this life while being careful, too. In the end, it may be better and develop into a more peaceful situation.
The “Peace on Paper” column is managed and provided as a public service by Daniel L Pettegrew.
