 |
| Source : The Happy Nomads - Rainy Day Hikes and Emily the Cow |
“War is over ...
If you want it.”
― John Lennon
Dreaming of peace is easy.
Working towards achieving peace -- true and lasting global peace based on respect for all of humanity and all living things, mutual understanding between peoples and common goals the world over -- is a lot harder than just dreaming of it.
Yet peace is something worth dreaming of and also worth fighting for, or rather - It is something worth struggling for, worth working towards and worth supporting unconditionally.
“If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace.”
― John Lennon
True. Sad but true. Perhaps more true today than it was when John Lennon lived, over thirty years ago.
Imagine if, instead of demanding things like television sets, mobile phones and music players we start demanding justice, equality, understanding, cooperation, liberty, religious freedom and peace for all of humanity.
Imagine if we all gave up something as comparatively insignificant as a talking box in front of a couch, even for a single day, and dedicated that day to making the world a slightly nicer, happier and more peaceful place. Imagine a world where people cared more, even just one day more, and spent that one day spreading love, happiness, tolerance, equality and justice. What a wonderful world would that be!
“Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...”
― John Lennon
It may sounds like an ideal or an impossible dream to many, yet all that is needed for peace to become reality is for enough people to believe that it is possible. It doesn't matter who you are, it doesn't matter what you look like, it doesn't matter what beliefs you hold dear as long as you believe in love and in the equality of all of humanity.
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
― Jimi Hendrix
Technological advances have made it possible for people the world over to instantly communicate with each other like never before. The internet has made it possible for everyone to speak their mind, spread their ideas and promote their own initiatives.
The internet has also made it possible to create a truly global and interconnected network of people who share the same common goals of peace, happiness and personal freedom. The internet has made possible what has never before been possible in the history of humanity - It has gives each and every one of us the chance to speak our minds, to share our ideas and to reach out to others across the world without the need for governments, corporations, diplomats, translators or other intermediaries to represent us or speak for us.
“Remember, each one of us has the power to change the world. Just start thinking peace, and the message will spread quicker than you think.”
― Yoko Ono
My mother used to tell me that I should go into politics. I always told her no, however it wasn't until we talked recently that I was able to articulate my thinking. What I told my mother was this:
“I respect the laws of the country I live in and by living here I agree to abide by those laws. I do not however agree with all the laws that I live by. This is why I do not want to be responsible for upholding and defending laws that I don't personally agree with.
The internet has given people like me the opportunity to dream beyond local or national politics and hope to reach out to people on a global level. I don't want to be part of any governing body where grown adults seem to devolve to playground politics and bullying; yelling at and insulting each other while calling it democracy. I want to promote peace and understanding instead!”
I hope to promote peace, love and happiness for all by reaching people from all over the world and inspiring them to do their best to make the world a nicer, happier and more peaceful place in turn. By focusing on those values and beliefs that all people the world over hold in common, we can start building bridges and forging a global society based on respect, understanding and shared goals.
The Dalai Lama writes a very thoughtful and inspiring piece which puts into eloquent words that which I stumblingly hope to confer to the world as well.
“The world is becoming smaller and smaller - and more and more interdependent - as a result of rapid technological advances and international trade as well as increasing trans-national relations. We now depend very much on each other. In ancient times problems were mostly family-size, and they were naturally tackled at the family level, but the situation has changed. Today we are so interdependent, so closely interconnected with each other, that without a sense of universal responsibility, a feeling of universal brotherhood and sisterhood, and an understanding and belief that we really are part of one big human family, we cannot hope to overcome the dangers to our very existence - let alone bring about peace and happiness.”
Source: A Human Approach to World Peace,
The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama