Peace: Beyond Between Wars
Peace Dove by Lee Shapiro
“Imagine” is one of the most popular songs of all time because it speaks to the heart of one of our most basic desires. When you allow John Lennon’s words and music to fill your heart, what does your heart tell you about your desire for peace? Not just living in a peaceful world but peace in all your communities, including your home, workplace and/or school?
Take a few minutes to READ or LISTEN TO “Imagine.”
Real peace is not what masquerades between nations or in families as a time between wars. It is living with a perpetual sense of serenity and security. Conventional thinking will never bring about that kind of peace. For real peace to become a possible dream a radical paradigm shift is required.
The conventional thinking that power is the only way to bring about what we think is right forms the abyss from which all conflicts spring. Using “Power Over,” the only way that we’ve seen power used, and is rooted in the belief that in any situation there are only two positions – “one up” or “one down.” When the fear of being one down is predominant it overpowers heartfelt compassion and learning and creates the need to control others.
The heart of peace is “Power With.” With a heart connection present, compassion and an openness transcend “Power Over.” By learning to avert conflict and initiate a cooperative process, people are heard and feel understood and cared about. In this caring environment, solutions grow out of knowledge, the personal power of participants is facilitated, an environment is created in which people feel emotionally safe and trust is built in the community.
Expressing the strong and soft heart of Power With applies to our national defense as well as our personal defense. As a nation we cannot allow ourselves to be overrun by hostile forces. We must be prepared to defend ourselves. At the same time, we must also aggressively seek to be peacemakers and take responsibility for any part we may be playing in anti-American hostility.
As a result-oriented person, I had plenty of concerns that talking about feelings and accomplishing goals were mutually exclusive. I was skeptical about the practicality of sharing power and could cite numerous examples of attempts to learn from interpersonal difficulties that never reached solutions or finished products.
I’ve learned that when peace becomes our penultimate mission all objections can be overcome. Some of this out-of-the-box thinking and behavior is contained in, “Mission Statements: Beyond Words.”
My guess is that by now you’ve thought of many arguments for why Power With cannot work. What are your reservations? What have your experiences been with attempts to share power and change the typical ways things have been done, especially with a dictatorial boss or parent? What resources have been helpful in changing your ideas about peace?
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