Story-A-Day #112: In Peace

IN PEACE

The notion of peace is a muddled one. On a global scale, peace is all but impossible, with minor pockets of escalated violence being the minimal, and major warfare and uprising being the saddening and ongoing norm.

Terms like peaceful demonstration and non-violent reform are big lumbering oxymorons that trample over the sensibilities of logic. The peaceful demonstrations in Egypt that gave voice to a muted populace and deposed former President Honsi Mubarak from his autocratic dictatorship may have started out peacefully; and the uprising may have ended with the masses having their wishes for freedom fulfilled, but between the outset and the outcome were 18 days of angry, bitter violence.

Taking a cue for their neighbors, and realizing that the dream of removing despotic Mummar el-Qaddafi from his 40-plus year position as despot could also become a reality, the people revolted and the country turned to violence to achieve their peace. So far, there is no end in sight. Death and grievous injuries march forward towards the unknown destination that for all intents and purposes is centred on the notion of peace.

Africa has a rich and colourful history when it comes to the pursuit of peace, and unfortunately, the colour is mostly the red of spilled blood. Genocide, dictatorship, oppression and deceit are all too often the rule of thumb under which the few rule the many.

It is not limited to Africa either. This is a global pandemic. Korea, the West Bank, South America; those are ongoing. The war in Afghanistan has claimed millions of lives, and the mantra has always remained that the fight is for the peace and freedom of the people. Military agencies are designed around this motif, but again, there is a misguided irony to it all. A soldier fights for freedom by giving their life to their cause, essentially enslaving them to the violent pursuit of all that is right and good. The Taliban's operating principles seems to revolve around destruction for a better world. I am not saying that it is wrong to fight for that which is virtuous, just that the concept itself is flawed.

Throughout history, no land has been removed from the violence of peace. War, battles, strife; these are concepts that are always lurking in the corners waiting for their moment to spring forth. How do we end the fight and embrace peace. Maybe we start with a simple reexamination of the concept.

We describe those countries lacking in conflict as being at peace. The thing is, maybe peace should be more than a destination. By saying “at peace”, we are implying a degree of finality to the very concept. Our ultimate goal is to reach the destination of peace. I will see you at the waterfront, I will meet you at the movies, but I don’t think I could ever end up at peace with you.

Peace is something that needs engagement. It is as active a concept as fighting and war. We need to strive to be in peace. It is something that is capable of embracing us as entirely as we embrace ourselves.

We are not at love, we are in it. We should not be at war, just as we can not be at peace. Peace is not a destination, it is a muddled concept that requires clarity of vision and a willingness to accept the unknown. Love is something that can’t be defined, but it is a feeling most of us comprehend on some level at least.

Peace is no different. Peace is a quiet winter night. Peace is sitting at the end of a dock on a quiet summer lake. Peace is watching the sunlight slide through a curtain to bathe a lily in a sharp line of light. Embrace the concept and strive to be in peace.