Blogging For Peace
Click my peace globe to read Mimi's fantastic BlogBlast post as well as links to hundreds more from around the world
In a world that is ravaged by chaos, war, tragedy, conflict and hatred, it is difficult to look around and be optimistic.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while, ever since I listened to a podcast episode of NPR’s RadioLab called “New Normal”. It opened with a short piece in which a reporter followed around a guy, John Horgan, through the streets of Hoboken conducting an informal, one question survey. “Will humans ever stop fighting wars?”
It’s a question he has been asking people ever since the United Stated invaded Iraq in 2003.
Its one of life’s unanswerable questions. And as John explains, it’s not just a question about war. It’s a question about whether or not humans possess the ability to change who and what we are.
An overwhelming majority, 9 out of 10, answered quickly and adamantly, “NO”. Many of the explanations involved the term “Human Nature”.
Can we change?
Is peace possible?
As a Christian, I try to live my life in a way that embraces hope and love. I have to believe that peace on earth is a worthwhile and attainable goal. It is still hard to be optimistic, but I have to believe that it’s possible.
However, as a human, the best I can do is to change me.
Which is why, like Mother Theresa, I want the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi to be my prayer every day. Because it’s not about assigning blame or responsibility; it’s about taking it.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.Amen.
It’s also why I am participating in today’s BlogBlast for Peace; a day when bloggers around the world unite in a moment of solidarity, regardless of our differences, to embrace the hope of Peace on Earth.
Adventures in Dullness 
This is a beautiful post. Well said.
PEACE!
I need a “like” option here.
You can’t do better than St. Francis’s prayer as a meditation on what you can do to help things change. Peace to you.
Thank you for participating in the BlogBlast For Peace!
A great Peace Globe and more importantly, some important words.
VinnyBond
I grew up surrounded with St Francis. My mother worked for The Franciscans from my early grade school years. She was in their midst as she drew her final breaths…
I hold those words close to my heart.
We can bring so much light to the world… we can bring Peace.
I love that prayer.
Peace to you and yours.
I agree with you that it has to start individually. We have to find that optimism in the face of so much fear and uncertainty. Then our positive energy can go out and impact the world well.
Peace to you and yours.
That’s a great prayer for peace. It does seem that we each have to start on on our own, just incrementally.
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It’s sad that there were so few people who believed that peace was possible. I think we can change, starting with ourselves. Peace to you and yours.
Just LOVE your peace globe. The Saint Francis prayer is the prayer I hold inside me every day.
Peace to you, Scott.
What a truly beautiful peace globe and post. I am honored to have you join us. Thank you so much for writing this uplifting post and inspiring so many people.
You are #1566 in the Official Peace Globe Gallery at blogblastforpeace.com
Peace,
Mimi