I’ve been a devoted student of human nature for close to four decades now, yet only lately do I seem to be truly getting it; the majority of the people – all over the world – are either too lazy, stubborn, self-centered, not fully committed or disinterested to do the simplest, most direct things to make peace a reality. (Maybe feeling hopeless, discouraged or not truly believing that he/she can be the peace for which they are yearning.)
The essential ingredients that can generate and sustain peace and well-being in communities already exist in almost everybody, everywhere! We human beings are created in such a fashion as to, not only have a dark and potentially evil side, we also have within us the capacity for kindness, generosity, compassion, gratitude and cooperation. These beautiful, life-affirming human characteristics – as well as many others – are a natural part of us.
They are the seeds of living in small ”zones of peace” (i.e. small communities).
If these seeds of human goodness are nurtured, they can grow into larger community structures that can generate human, living conditions wherein someday violence can become obsolete. Because it would no longer necessary. Why is this so hard to figure out? And act on today and everyday?
From Anne Frank --"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
I learned the "awe" that can be attained in community life from Murat. He learned it from the ancient cultural traditions within which he was raised.
For every action a human being chooses to engage in, there is an emotional payoff . I believe that some people are conditioned to want/need the payoff that they receive from negative behavior such as violence, anger, hatred, discord, etc. It feeds them in some warped manner.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in my opinion, most people get their emotional "fix" from positive behavior such as kindness, gratitude, compassion and acts of service to others. It is more godly.
I believe that the majority of people on this planet seek a peaceful, harmonious, and loving existence and may, at the same time, feel impotent and helpless in manifesting such a reality.