Monday, May 14, 2012

The "WH" of LOVE

I am a kind of person who always asks questions. If I can't have answers from people, I seek answers from within. One time, I was figuring out the so-called the "5 WH" questions. I learned it from my grade school days.
WH...stands for - * WHY
                            * WHAT
                            * WHERE
                            * WHO
                            * WHEN
Everytime I got curious on things, I always try to use this WH questions  so I could easily find answers to any of my queries and confusions.

The moment I fall in love, the more I ran for this "WH" questions.

* I asked WHY?

       Why do I have to feel this? 
       Why do people fall in love, then fall out of it? 
        Some people say, falling in love is too risky... 
        but WHY they  still go on loving?

       Knowing why we fall in love may help ease feelings of rejection and heartbreak. If someone doesn’t fall in love with you, it’s not because you’re ugly, stupid or poor. Sometimes the chemistry just isn’t right. 

We fall in love because it is our nature. We are created because of love. We are born to LOVE and to be LOVED. 

* WHAT is this thing called LOVE?

Everytime I encounter this kind of question at any of my Facebook status, I always comment like this: "Love is the most used, the over used and the abused word in the dictionary." This is my direct definition of love. It's direct, practical,  yet, it has a negative impact. Because of this, I tried to define love in a concrete way, in a more understandable way... until I come to the story  of a  5 year old girl who asked the boy seated next to her, "What is love?" the boy replied , "Love is when you steal my chocolates every day from my bag and yet, I still keep them in the same place."      (well said)

WHAT IS LOVE?

There have been, there are, and there will be many definitions, but the truth is, we do not define love. Rather, it is love that defines us. It is love that brings out who we are, what we are capable of, and what is best in us.

Yes,
 it is love that defines us.

And refines us.

*WHERE to Love?

When we heard the word "WHERE", we always look around (people around us), forgetting ourselves. 
Before looking around, we must examine ourselves.. "Does love resides in us? Do we have a heart that is capable of loving? Remember, everything must come from within. If  we have a loving heart inside us, we can easily share this love to others. If  each one has a heart, a kind and loving heart, then we can change the world and by this, we may attain peace.

* WHOM to Love?

I would like to share this story:

"Where have I failed?"
This was the painful question of an old man who came to my office  one day with a heavy heart. He had amassed a fortune after many years of hard work which took him away from his family, and led to his being strict and exacting towards them.

Now that he is old, his children hardly call or visit him, and whenever they do, it is to talk about money and inheritance. They are not speaking terms with each other, and are even on the verge of court proceedings.

"I don't know if they love me, or just waiting for me to die."
How sad to hear this from someone who had worked so hard for the sake of his family, and feels that he is hardly loved now that he is in the sunset of his life.

To whom shall we give love?
Love the elders, our dear ones, the unlovable and the societies nobodies.
Love them unconditionally.

* WHEN do we give our love?

The time is NOW  and don't let it expires. Love has no expiration.

"It is not the thing that you do, dear
It's the thing you could have done
that leaves me with a bit of heartache
at the setting of the sun."

May we never hear a loved one say something like this to us, and be filled with regrets that we loved too little, TOO LATE, at the setting of the sun.

Do not postpone your loving.

Do not postpone your giving.

Do not postpone your  forgiving.

Love truly in the HERE and NOW.

Much love and peace everyone, may the love that resides in your heart will bear much fruit. Let the "5 "WH" OF LOVE reminds your day to day loving. God bless.

~ written: Leony Moonrose~

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Let there be peace on the earth



~~ LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH ~~



When you think about all of the struggles and conflicts that have happened throughout history it is hard to imagine that there will ever be peace on earth. World peace is a goal that many people have dedicated their life to without ever seeing the day when there is peace in all corners of the world. There has been a great deal of progress, however, and that keeps those looking for peace on earth hopeful. World peace may never come in your lifetime, but pushing the goal further along is a noble pursuit that many people have decided is the mission of their life.
Take a look through history and study all the peacemakers that have come before you in the pursuit of a peaceful world.
                                                       
If you are involved in the peace movement and are experiencing doubts about the possibility of peace on earth, you should remember that your doubt is perfectly natural. If your goal is world peace, you will have to struggle every minute to keep that goal firmly planted in your mind. The horrific things that man can do to his fellow man is enough to discourage even the most dedicated peace activist, but take your strength from those that have gone before you. Peace on earth and world peace is closer than it ever has been in the history of the world and that is a direct result of those that have made this their lifelong goal.

It can be helpful to keep yourself in the company of those who share your peace on earth goals. When you spend time with those who have world peace as their life goal in the same way that you do, it can give you a great deal of comfort and encouragement. Look for some groups in your area that will help you to handle your peace on earth activities. World peace organizations can be a great source of comfort as well.

Continue to work on your goals with dedication and purpose. You will be doing your part to further peace on earth in your lifetime. World peace will come in increments and every person who has been a part of the movement has played his or her part. A noble pursuit is one that may never see the ultimate satisfaction in one lifetime. It will take the strength of thousands of men to move a whole world to peace on earth. You will be doing your part to push that wall further and further down the road to world peace.








Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.



Let peace begin with me  
Let this be the moment now.
With ev'ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me


Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony


Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With ev'ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me







Sunday, March 11, 2012

Love the Life You Live


"The quickest way 
to living a life you love 
is through 
learning to love 
the life you live"

One time, I was asked...

 "Are you in love?" 
Well, YES!...


I am in love .... very much in love...








...WITH LIFE !


 If I am not in love with life, then I wouldn't be here now, right? Yes right :) 

We are afraid to lose our life... 
We want to live very long in this life...
We dream, we believe we can, and we work for that dream to succeed!

Success for me is always linked with happiness. I am a person who always want to succeed in every little things I do, because that's what makes me happy. That's what makes me to live a happy life. The reason for me to say, I am in love with life :)

 There are a lot of reasons for us to be in love with our lives. Our family and loved ones, friends, the beauty of nature- the magnificent sunset at the beach or sunrise that always promises hope, the touching breeze of the wind, etc.-  and the fact that God  has given us the life in order to see and experience these wonderful things around us. All the people we love and the things we have - our passion, our work - and the thought that God didn't choose us to be insects but superior human beings who can control over other lower creatures. We have power in so many ways.. and above all, we have the power to love this life :) Isn't it happy? Yes, it is.

"How do I live the life I love much?"

Everytime you raise this question, always look at your single hand to remind you that the answer is in your hand. Every finger has its role. 

1.  Be present 
      
     - Be aware of your existence, that you have life and that you must live your life to the fullest.

2. Be grateful

     - Be thankful for the life you have, the blessings you receive. Seeing the good in your life will allow you to keep your heart fed while you work to change the more unsavory parts. C'mon, try it. Live it. You gonna love it ! *wink..  

3. Pursue Balance

     - Understand that there is always a balance in everything. There is laughter and tears, there is sadness and  happiness, there is rainbow after the rain. The pursuit of balance requires constant adjustment as your life shifts but every time I really try for the middle. I end up happier about my life. Before,  I really had a hard time adjusting myself. I often have a self pity when things are not in my favor.. I always get hurt until Love and Peace has made me realize how it is to live a balance life :)

4. Nurture Friendship

      - You know the people who for some reason or other welcome you into their lives? Treasure them. Make time to spend with them. Love and peace group plays a great role in developing good friendship bond. Because of that group, I was able to see my potential and I was able to develop my socialization. Posting and commenting at the group's wall brings happiness and a sense of belongingness. There is even camaraderie within the group. Many of us spend far too much time thinking about how some material possession will improve our lives. New technology is nice, computer age is great, it brings us people together.., but a good friend is worth just about everything. 

5. Embrace Simplicity

     - As what I always put at my fb status "Simplicity is beauty", is quite true and always gives me a great impact. Nowadays, we are living in the complexities of the world. I read one of the group's post, it was from PJ Navarro if I'm not mistaken, it says: "You don't need to have all your gold-plated ducks in a row in order to love the life you're living. You don't need lots of stuff and relationships so driven by drama that you often wish just to be left alone in silence. Instead, you might try for a simpler approach and enjoy things because they are useful and not because they are expensive". Great words isn't it? Try for simplicity and if complexity sneaks up on you, so be it, at least you already know how to deal with it. In learning to love the basics you'll find a wondrous appreciation for the nicer things that come along. 

Understanding all these words understand about  Love and Life :) By knowing the basics, you will learn the quickest way to live the life you love and love the life you live. Much love and peace to everyone <3





Sunday, February 12, 2012

Valentine's day -- a day of love

Every February 14, around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from?

The Legend of St. Valentine
The history of Valentine's Day--and the story of its patron saint--is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl--possibly his jailor's daughter--who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and--most importantly--romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.
                                         Approximately 150 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.

 Leave it once it will be left forever... Get it once it'll be yours forever... It's nothing but LOVE! LOVE only once and you'll be loved forever.

Valentine's Day: A Day of Romance
Lupercalia survived the initial rise of Christianity and but was outlawed—as it was deemed “un-Christian”--at the end of the 5th century, when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love. During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of Valentine's Day should be a day for romance.

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.) Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

" To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever. "

Valentine's Day Romance
 Valentine's day is a day for people in love. The day is quickly approaching. It is a chance to celebrate and spice up the relation between you and your beloved. It is commonly observed that after few months or a year of the relation, love and passion between the couple starts loosing the actuality and charm. It leads only to work, house responsibilities, a little chat with the mate but there is hardly any place left for romance in your daily life. This special day brings in the special feeling and importance for each other.

 There are hundreds of great ideas to express and cherish the relation you share. Its only a matter of finding one that is perfect for you and your sweetheart. This is a great day to put all the worries and excuses apart from an evening or a day to show the love that you professed.

" Love is the flower you've got to let grow "

Importance of Valentine's Day Romance
 Romance gives feeling of togetherness, warmth and care. It helps in making the relation more stronger and understandable. Every couple wishes their love life to be a breathtaking experience. Romance creates a bond of trust and love. Romance creates love, affection, respect and admiration for one another. It can be emotional as well as physical. Valentines day romance brings an annual chance to make the tender relationship even more stronger.

 If that charm and excitement of love in your life has lost, then you can try some simple ideas. Be attentive, careful, polite and considerate to put in that fashionable-lover effect in your romance. This recreates a decorum for yourself. It is an undoubted fact that life without romance is very dull and boring. Romance is more like a continuous, interesting and a must activity. Valentines day make you realize the importance of romance in life.

" Love is when you meet someone who tells you something new about yourself. "

How to Make Valentine's Day Romantic?
 Make your day full of passion and excitement. Let her feel the warmth and create a romantic and most memorable valentines day. Following are few creative ways to express your love.
  • Give your lover a dozen of red roses.
  • Prepare a romantic meal for your loved one.
  • Start your day by complementing him/her on a piece of paper and put it beside the pillow.
  • When your mate is in shower, take the towel and dry his wet body. It is a way to make all the old memories alive.
  • Hold hands of your partner in public and announce your love.
  • Make a copy of your wedding photo, put it in a special frame and write the words, "I love you more today than yesterday,"
  • Spend as much time possible together and tell all your love secrets.
  • Dedicate a song to him/her on the radio and send him/her an email telling him when to listen.
  • Look at you beloved when he/she is engaged in doing some work. The continuous look of yours directly touches the soul and make them feel special.
  • Make a card by your own and compose a poem that expresses your love life.
  • Create a scrapbook with favorite photographs, love letters and other cherished moments.
  • Prepare your loved one’s favorite dinner and serve it on a romantically set table and dine by candlelight.
  • If you want to propose at home, sprinkle rose petals around the house. Place heart-shaped candles around your home to create the right mood.


Thursday, February 2, 2012

Thoughts On Relationships

With what kind of people do you most like to be with? Who makes you feel the best? In whose presence do you enjoy being the most?
If you carefully observe and analyze your attitudes and the feeling that you have in their presence, you would probably find something common and would come to some of the following conclusions:
  • In their presence you feel that you are totally accepted as you are. They give you the opportunity to be yourself. They do not put expectations on you. You can express yourself, your inner being in safety and assurance that all will be OK. Because you feel that they will not condemn you or get upset.
  • They genuinely interested in your wellbeing and challenge you to be the best and the greatest you can be and that lifts you up and inspires you.
  • In their presence you feel good about yourself and full of hope.
  • You do not feel manipulated, controlled or forced to do or be anything than what you want to be. You have complete freedom.
When we experience some of the above in our fellowship with this kind of a person we are often overwhelmed by a certain kind of indescribable feeling and we call it love. And in that moment there is something within us that wants to mirror this experience back to that person and others.
Observe the people that you believe are in love and you will see that the more above points they experience the more in love they appear. And if you want to have a similar experience then do what you can to make the other person feel good about themselves and most likely they will do the same for you. They will mirror back the same kind of pleasure you give them. Try it, begin with a smile especially to those that know you and will not think you have become crazy.

Expectations
How do you respond to those who put expectations on you? And why do we expect when we suffer from our expectations so much? Have you noticed?

We learn in our childhood that it is better to fulfill the expectations of those around us and as parents we enforce our expectations on our children. Often it is done automatically without thinking and if we do we reason, that we know what is best for them and besides our expectations help us to keep the house running easier.

When children know what is expected of them, like what time to go to bed and if they do not live up to our expectations then they know that there will be unpleasant consequences. So, we get used to living up to other people's expectations and learn how to enforce our own on others. And before we know it and without realizing we become slaves to our own and other people's expectations.

Those who live under our expectations; do they enjoy being prisoners to them? Do we need to live under the expectations that we live under? Have we matured enough to leave our childish behavior?

Let us take responsibility for our own responses. Others may never give up their unreasonable expectations of us unless we clearly let them know that we have matured enough to live the way we see it best no matter how upset they get.





Monday, January 30, 2012

PAY ATTENTION TO LOVE


My parents taught me to...

"PLANT A SEED OF LOVE"
(not a seed to judge)





Let it grow...

cultivate with patience...
 water it with  clean intention...













so that the fruits it bears will be good and healthy !




A full grown and healthy  heart has no room for judgment



We all know that it is so easy to judge.  
We ask someone about someone else and out comes the judgment:
"He's a thief,"
"He's a liar,"
"She's a disgrace to her family", etc.. 
But hey!


Do we have the right to make that judgment?
Do we  know the circumstances surrounding the act?

 When I was a kid, for me all fruit trees looked pretty much the same. They all had leaves, branches , roots, etc. The only time I could really identify the tree was when there were oranges on one and mangoes on another. 

Our parents have nurtured us with much love in the heart. So we would think too that the world would treat us the same. All people have a heart and therefore we expect them to offer the same love like what our parents have. We expect people to be good coz we gave them goodness.. but in the course of our journey, a lot of people misjudged us based on what they have seen or heard outside, without knowing our real self. 

Like a tree,
people judged others on the  outside, 
before the fruit is yet to  come out.
  

It is like that when we judge. According to Fr. Steve, we do not know all the circumstances that lead to an act. People are like iceberg, 90% are hidden from sight. The fruit that show, good or bad are indications of what lies beneath the surface but we can never really know a person until they share their experiences.


Let's leave that job up to GOD

      Instead of judging  others....
WE SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON LOVE
Let that full grown tree of love resides in your  heart 
and welcome the sunlight of peace 
to shine upon it !

It is always dangerous to judge a person. Do you guys agree? well, I do :)



Saturday, January 28, 2012

What is love ???????

           


    Many believe love is a sensation that magically
    generates when Mr. or Ms. Right appears. No                     wonder so many people are single.








A few years ago, I spoke to a group of some friends of mine about the Jewish idea of love.

"Someone define love," I said.

No response.

"Doesn't anyone want to try?" I asked.

Still no response.

"Tell you what: I'll define it, and you raise your hands if you agree. Okay?"

Nods.

"Okay. Love is that feeling you get when you meet the right person."

Every hand went up. And I thought, Oye.

This is how many people approach a relationship. Consciously or unconsciously, they believe love is a sensation (based on physical and emotional attraction) that magically, spontaneously generates when Mr. or Ms. Right appears. And just as easily, it can spontaneously degenerate when the magic "just isn't there" anymore. You fall in love, and you can fall out of it.

The key word is passivity. Erich Fromm, in his famous treatise "The Art of Loving," noted the sad consequence of this misconception: "There is hardly any activity, any enterprise, which is started with such tremendous hopes and expectations, and yet, which fails so regularly, as love."

So what is love ― real, lasting love?

Love is the attachment that results from deeply appreciating another's goodness.


Love is the result of appreciating another's goodness.



The word "goodness" may surprise you. After all, most love stories don't feature a couple enraptured with each other's ethics. ("I'm captivated by your values!" he told her passionately. "And I've never met a man with such morals!" she cooed.) But in her study of real-life successful marriages (The Good Marriage: How and Why Love Lasts).
To the Jewish mind, it isn't unexpected at all. What we value most in ourselves, we value most in others. God created us to see ourselves as good (hence our need to either rationalize or regret our wrongdoings). So, too, we seek goodness in others. Nice looks, an engaging personality, intelligence, and talent (all of which count for something) may attract you, but goodness is what moves you to love.

Opening Yourself to Others

The effect of genuine, other-oriented giving is profound. It allows you into another person's world and opens you up to perceiving his or her goodness. At the same time, it means investing part of yourself in the other, enabling you to love this person as you love yourself.
The more you give, the more you love.
Many years ago, I met a woman whom I found very unpleasant. So I decided to try out the "giving leads to love" theory. One day I invited her for dinner. A few days later I offered to help her with a personal problem. On another occasion I read something she'd written and offered feedback and praise. Today we have a warm relationship. The more you give, the more you love. This is why your parents (who've given you more than you'll ever know) undoubtedly love you more than you love them, and you, in turn, will love your own children more than they'll love you.
Because deep, intimate love emanates from knowledge and giving, it comes not overnight but over time ― which nearly always means after marriage. The intensity many couples feel before marrying is usually great affection boosted by commonality, chemistry, and anticipation. These may be the seeds of love, but they have yet to sprout. On the wedding day, emotions run high, but true love should be at its lowest, because it will hopefully always be growing, as husband and wife give more and more to each other.

A woman I know once explained why she's been happily married for 25 years. "A relationship has its ups and downs," she told me. "The downs can be really low ― and when you're in one, you have three choices: Leave, stay in a loveless marriage, or choose to love your spouse."



Friday, January 27, 2012

Are Your Friends Here for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime?


Many of us are fortunate enough to have friends who are a consistent part of our lives throughout all our ups and downs. However, sometimes others we consider friends appear to enter, then depart from our lives for reasons we try to, but don't always, understand. This piece nicely explains the flow of people in and out of our lives.

                                    It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

 Then people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

THE POWER OF HEART



Everyone needs and wants ...


Why do we want to
fall in love ,
When we know
it will only hurt in the END?


Love transforms everything

Though several people say love is prone to pain, still we want to take the risk and continue on loving.

Why is this so?
Why do we keep on loving after all the heartaches we have experienced?

It is because…

Love heals our wounds and makes us whole once more

There is deep peace and accord deep in our hearts. We can experience it, and see the world through the eyes of our heart.  This is the reason why a person has to love once more despite of getting hurt. 

Our hearts have power to change darkness to light, sadness to happiness

That is the power of heart, the miracle of love.




We read several quotes, mostly from facebook status, saying: 

“The heart
is not always right
because
 it is being placed
at the left side of our chest”.

Do you agree?

Let us try to see and experience the world through our heart. (The center of our heart is in the middle of our chest)

When I was in my teen years, I often wonder why the heart symbolizes love.  Why it is always associated with HEART and not liver, feet, head, hands, or any part of our human body. Are you not wondering the same? Me, has wondered a lot.. until one day I recognized that:



HEART
-          is the CORE of our human body. If we don’t have a HEART, we are nothing but dead person
LOVE
-          is the CORE of our existence. Without LOVE, our existence has no meaning at all, for the purpose of our life is “to love and to be loved”.
 



It was then when I start looking things through my heart that I was able to understand the meaning of it. In the presence of love, there is no misunderstanding. There will be peace instead of greediness and war.  THAT IS THE POWER OF OUR HEART!

If all of us look at things
through our heart
we can feel …
Love and Peace
                                                              
 

Group at FACEBOOK

         What has happened to our  world? Is there any chance for Peace?
2.      “YES, THERE IS! IF WE HAVE A HEART TO SPREAD LOVE AND PEACE “. 
                               “ This is where Love and Peace group has come about "




This group was created by:

Sometime in Aug. 24, 2010, Love and Peace   on the Earth group was created by
Yvette Filion and Sachin Ghalot in hopes to spread Love and Peace on the Earth.




“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”





The objective of this group is to create a better understanding for the real meaning of Love & Peace. So, my hopes are for all members to please participate and contribute your thoughts and comments on the group's wall and have fun while you're at it :)



Much Love and Peace be to ALL. From my heart to yours, my deep gratitude for being here in this group and sharing with ALL your heart and giving out your precious time to spread Love and Peace.



FACEBOOKLOVE & PEACE on the EARTH



Just Peace

Peace has always been among humanity's highest values--for some, supreme.


Consider:

"Peace at any price."
"The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war."
"Peace is more important than all justice."
"I prefer the most unjust peace to the justest war that was ever waged."
"There never was a good war or a bad peace."




Yet, we agree little on what is peace. Perhaps the most popular (Western) view is as an absence of dissension, violence, or war, a meaning found in the New Testament and possibly an original meaning of the Greek word for peace, Irene.

Peace, however, is also seen as concord, or harmony and tranquility. It is viewed as peace of mind or serenity, especially in the East. It is defined as a state of law or civil government, a state of justice or goodness, a balance or equilibrium of Powers.

Such meanings of peace function at different levels. Peace may be opposed to or an opposite of antagonistic conflict, violence, or war. It may refer to an internal state (of mind or of nations) or to external relations. Or it may be narrow in conception, referring to specific relations in a particular situation (like a peace treaty), or overarching, covering a whole society (as in a world peace). Peace may be a dichotomy (it exists or it does not) or continuous, passive or active, empirical or abstract, descriptive or normative, or positive or negative.

The problem is, of course, that peace derives its meaning and qualities within a theory or framework. Christian, Hindu, or Buddhist will see peace differently, as will pacifist or internationalist. Socialist, fascist, and libertarian have different perspectives, as do power or idealistic theorists of international relations. In this diversity of meanings, peace is no different from such concepts as justice, freedom, equality, power, conflict, class, and, indeed, any other concept.

All concepts are defined within a theory or cognitive framework--what I have called elsewhere a perspective.Through a perspective peace is endowed with meaning by being linked to other concepts within a particular perception of reality; and by its relationship to ideas or assumptions about violence, history, divine grace, justice. Peace is thereby locked into a descriptive or explanatory view of our reality and each other.