Common Wealth on Peace

There is no way to Peace; Peace is the way. 

                                                                                   - Mahatma Gandhi 

         What is Peace? Peace is not an individual’s property however it comes from bottom of society. Everyone in nation wants peace however there are some exceptions but in general we can say peace is a common desire of people. So, Peace is about public welfare. If we talk about peace on global level, then we all know how terrorism threatens the very roots of peace. but that does not seem to be the only culprit. since the time nuclear weapons have arrived the world has not seen peace and never will unless we make a conscious effort to stop threatening the world with our nuclear power. In a country, Peace is a term that most commonly refers to an absence of aggression, violence or hostility. Peace isn’t the absence of violence but rather the presence of justice. In a society, peace happens when different desires are in one agreement. Peace is based on many things like culture, education, family values, experience, history and many more but the basis is the same and that is to co-exist without war, killing, & overpowering a fellow being. Nations go to war, often quoting peace as the reason. We must realize peace is a journey, not an end. Yet, in our efforts to obtain peace, we often do the most unpeaceful things. Instead of seeking inner peace, we seek to enforce peace on others. And that just doesn't work. Peace is a gift you can give to others and to yourself. If you seek peace with a sincere heart, you can find it. Peace is not a single thing, it is combination of many small and big things.

“Peace always begins with a smile.” 

        The quality of life depends not upon external development or material progress, but upon the inner development of peace and happiness. We all wish for world peace, but world peace will never be achieved unless we first establish peace within our own minds. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. We can send so-called ‘peacekeeping forces’ into areas of conflict, but peace cannot be imposed from the outside with guns. Only by creating peace within our own mind and helping others do the same can we hope to achieve peace in this world. For only when individuals take total responsibility for their own lives, find within themselves calm and power of ‘good’ and live in peace with their neighbors and environment, only then will forces be set in motion that will eventually bring about world peace.

        Peace is something which is vastly misinterpreted and misrepresented in today’s world. Everyone has their own perceptions about it...out of which only a small portion actually come near in addressing 'peace’. In my personal opinion peace isn’t just a clever way of showcasing your imposed superficial friendliness while brewing up violent tendencies from within! As is highlighted by India’s relations with Pakistan………in formal terms we are at peace since the kargil war of 1999....but reality rests in a completely different sphere. I believe peace is not just stopping wars...it’s something more.... it’s the victory of reality over virtual superiority, the realization that everyone in the world is nothing but equal. It means to give the due share of respect to everyone's opinion and thinking before putting your ideas into action. It means forgetting all what happened in the past... hoping and believing that a better day, a better future is possible. This world has seen so many of the traumatizing atrocities in its lifetime, as we become aware of our mistakes in the past it becomes the duty of each of us as individuals and as youth to change all this and create a better place for our succeeding generations ...and yes we can do it!

        However, in today’s world, peace and harmony face various threats. Terrorism, regional imbalance, economic disparity, and social inequality are some of the factors which threaten peace today. We all are so engrossed in our busy lifestyles and yet want our lives to be peaceful. We expect that peace to be omnipresent but what we need to realize is the fact that if we want peace- we have to live peacefully, love everyone, forgive, forget, etc. It’s not enough to stand around asking if world peace will ever happen because that won’t do anything. Actions speak louder than any words. If everyone starts living the peaceful, loving way, things will change. But someone has to start and lead by example. Mahatma Gandhi once said –

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” 

        We can’t rely on anyone else to do this. We have to do these ourselves. Acceptance, compassion, and tolerance are the foundation of peace. Mahatma Gandhi showed that peace ends suffering and oppression, not by warring against an enemy but by bearing witness to wrongs and allowing sympathy and common humanity to do their patient work. Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa lived different aspects of peace, which was proven to be a viable way to achieve great things.

        According to me, Peace is the feeling that all's right with the world. When everyone around me in my family, my friend circle and my neighbourhood is happy, eager to love, accept and relate… I feel at peace. Also, to me it means following what my heart says and sharing mutual trust and respect for people around me. The most important thing to remember when we talk about peace is love. Love and peace are inseparable. We cannot have one without the other. With love achieving peace becomes a cakewalk. Whether it is inner peace or peace anywhere across the globe, love is the basis. love yourself and you shall attain inner peace. Love others and you shall be at peace with all.

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."