Peace is a simple word with an impactful meaning. It is something we seek to achieve within ourselves, our families, and our communities. I think we can all agree we want peace for our country and for the world.
Sociology of Peace
I just started my fall semester at my local college. I am taking a class entitled Sociology of Peace. I am heading into this class with the same optimism our professor has for our world, that one day we will see peace throughout.
Let’s take that down a couple of notches for now.
What is it we want for ourselves when we use the word peace?
For me, peace means going to bed each night knowing I was kind and compassionate to my family and my loved ones.
Johan Galtung, known as the father of peace, describes positive peace as cooperation and harmony. He goes on to say, “Suffer the suffering of the others, enjoy the joys of the others.”
I read these words and reflected on them in my own personal life. As a partner, I hurt when my husband is suffering, as I do for my children and their partners when they are going through something. I feel joy when things are good for those I love. On a personal level, I seek out positive peace every day. I believe if you are reading this, you are like minded and practice the same compassion in your lives.
What about on a national and global level?
I grapple with feeling peace when I hear of extremist groups killing their own citizens and as seen last week, thirteen of our military personnel. I struggle to suffer when these extremists are suffering because I do not understand their rationale. I cannot fathom their “joy” when committing heinous acts such as these. Do they feel joy? Do they feel justified?
This semester will bring challenges for me, I’m sure. I hope by the end I can perhaps understand a little better why we have conflict in so many places in our world and how we can go about changing.
I started the semester by watching a documentary, “Peace One Day” by young visionary Jeremy Gilley. I started watching this thinking the man was a fool for his ambitious endeavor. I finished watching it with tears in my eyes believing this is possible. I recommend watching this film and viewing the TED Talk featuring Jeremy Gilley sharing his involvement of founding the one day of peace.
Creating Peace Through Conscious Thought
What does peace mean to you?
As we approach World Peace Day on September 21, I invite you to be intentional about celebrating this day this year despite skepticism of simple symbolism.
This means we are making a truce to ceasefire all forms of hostility at a domestic and global level in an effort to raise consciousness through positive peaceful thought in our personal life and in our community.
How do you create peace for yourself in your personal life and in community?
