By Halima Imam
What if peace doesn’t have to be determined by an atmosphere of happiness, laughter and calm? We all know by now that quiet doesn’t necessarily mean peace. Peace for each and every one of us has a different meaning. For some, it is financial security; for others, it’s a passionate job. Yet others see it as being in love. The human race is always searching for what gives peace and, in our quest, we have experienced both: emptiness and filling peace.
We might see peace as freedom from oppression or equality of all, or a situation where hunger and poverty are non-existent. Peace is not what we can actually give to anyone. It is a situation we create for people to be able to feel. The laughter, smile and happiness that we make others feel is the mood we set for them to feel peace. Man by his nature wants to constantly feel at peace, we want to give peace at every opportunity.
The world today is such that the cleverness of man is demanding and greedy. We are so loud but yet too quiet. Globalization has brought us all closer than before, but the distance between us continue to widen. Technology sets our eyes on things that are so far away from us, making it easy for us to neglect those that are so close to us. Terror is the order of the day with profiteers of war making it hard for people to sleep with both eyes closed.
Children born into war will know nothing but fear, pain and hatred, and whatever is imprinted in the heart of a child is like a mark on a stone. Unfortunately, many children are born and have to live through war in various parts of the World. Yemen, Syria, Palestine and Afghanistan being very good examples. Women have become victims on all fronts, with girls in India being raped and killed like its fast fashion.
Peace is more than just the absence of war; it is a feeling of absolute freedom, a fulfilment that makes tears trickle down the cheeks of a person expressing joy in abundance. It is like a nice plate of food, a taste has all its flavour jumping at you. Peace is savouring every happy moment, knowing full well that no one can take that away from you. Peace understands, it’s like knowing a subject matter so well you can explain it to others; it gives one the status of a teacher.
Peace is the maturity to let things happen as against making them happen. It is allowing others to make mistakes and not holding them to it. Peace is fair; it negotiates and knows that the world stays just like it was. Peace is a series of overwhelming episodes of appreciation, accepting the big things and savouring in the small ones. Peace is the ability to judge ourselves less and forgive others.
It is harmony in our families, love for our neighbours. It is understanding that our neighbours have rights upon us and that after our families they are our biggest responsibility. Peace is accepting our society, speaking up against evil and fixing what is wrong and damaged about us. Peace is hope that never dies; it is national consciousness that cements our patriotism. Peace is never betraying our father land.
Peace is not a condition, it is a state of being, it exists within each and every one of us. Human interactions in the world sometimes trap us, so much so that we are oblivious of the profound peace that we have within us. Embodying the state of peace doesn’t only make us feel peace, it makes us peace. We stay giving and loving, a beautiful feeling so good we can’t let go.
A peaceful mind thinks about peace, speaks words of peace and acts based of peaceful co-existence. Still water is always so clear, every image is reflected clearly in it and whatever is underneath is visible. A peaceful mind is one that can see clearly and solve every issue from an objective point of view. Peace is being in the midst of noise and finding your quiet. It is away from distractions and inclined to focus.
Peace is respecting the dignity of every person, helping to solve problems through consultation, dialogue and negotiation, rather than conflict. Peace is being able to feel safe at home and in the community, being able to walk through a lonely path and not get jumped. Peace is the easy way out, it is global security and respect for minority voices. It is unity, harmony, beauty, tolerance, love and understanding. For me, peace is simply a glimpse of heaven.
Halima Imam is Founder of Climate Action Team
Email: [email protected]