100 YEARS of PEACE
We need 100 years of peace. Time and space to realign our lives to live the way we ought to be.
Seems we seek in words that which can describe us. Words in film and books, in song, maybe even politicians. The thing about all of this is in our realtime lives, without balance it can result in handing our personal power over to a reality that’s not our own.
We can achieve anything given the right set of circumstances. For most people, having someone who believes in them, some financial stability, education, a few tools, food and shelter allow us to work on a our goal.
At our best I think we all want to participate in building something good. Generally, most of us include safety, security and belonging into what we’re building. And we invite others to share in what we build.
We need 100 years of peace.
Imagine what three generations of compassionate people can build.
Yesterday, at the Munich Security Conference, Vice President Kamala Harris conveyed the importance of international rules-based order and American democracy. Yulia Navalnaya, now widow of Putin opposition leader Alexei Navalny, spoke about accountability.
In contrast, Trump, Tucker Carlson and House Republicans applauded Putin and murder. Republicans continue to block funding for border security and Ukraine.
Where do we go from here?
What can we learn from our current circumstances that allow us to harness the power of peace and compassion to bring about outcomes that a majority agrees supports a good and meaningful life?
Ludicrous to believe we wave a magic wand and everything changes in an instant, yet the power does live within people. Democracy is a system made of people who mostly want the same or similar things —one in common, freedom.
It’s always been possible to adapt and evolve, after all we’ve been doing so since our Earth was born.
Every day, history is written. That we can be sure of. Modern society is also on the doorstep of deciding what page of history we wish to be written on. I’m reminded of this maxim (Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation) from our very first president, George Washington.
“Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for ’tis better to be alone than in bad Company.”
Steadily we are heading toward spring, just one more month away and with one more thing central to our social climate —a sense of general weariness. Tired of life's weather and winters —overall loneliness it seems. It’s understandable. What most all of us are living through is definitely a juxtaposition of tugs and pulls, challenge, obstacles, mastery and law.
But I’ll counter that with this. Let’s not leave out awe.
I’m optimistic about the courage and tenacity of our human race. We’ve all come through our fair share of challenges and very difficult situations in life and we’ve met those challenges with the help of each other.
We’ve picked up new friendships along the way and learned to become more flexible, more understanding, and more compassionate because of it, if we chose. Because we do have to make those choices.
I have faith in our capability to create 100 years of peace. Yes, I make this symbolic statement in confidence. For the movers and the shakers and the outspoken are plentiful —and with a little help from our friends, we will overcome and we will build it.
*from Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior In Company and Conversation by George Washington.
Photo by Artem Kniaz on Unsplash
Artist, Author, Activist, Poet and Singer-Songwriter Richard Silvia is founder of YesRising Ventures —Inspiring Global Thinking. He began Teach Love MultiMedia in 2021 to inspire Love, Possibility, and Inclusiveness through the ministry of words, music and art. He has self-published 7 books and CD You Will Be Loved by The Rick Eva Music Project. The author publishes a Substack newsletter called Radically Relevant. https://linktr.ee/YesRising #TeachLoveMultiMedia a #YesRising Venture.
“As a global thinking society we possess the skill and means to lift, empower and motivate each other—we can turn our dreams into realities. I believe Love is the common thread between hope and possibility shared by all religions, tribes and species.” —Artist Statement