The International Day of Peace is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence. An example might be a ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aide access. The day was first celebrated in 1981, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people around the world.
When I made the decision to Walk for Peace 1,279 days ago; probably the easiest way for me to share what peace meant to me was to invite people to walk with me or to have a conversation with me about it. Fortunately for me, every time I shared time with others, my own understanding of peace was augmented by the people I engaged with.
On this International Day of Peace, I would like to share (in no particular order) some of what Peace is to me:
- Peace is the understanding that we all have the same rights.
- Peace is the knowledge that I am neither more nor less than anyone; we are equal.
- Peace is respect for myself, for all beings and for the planet.
- Peace is finding joy in the accomplishments of others without envy or jealousy.
- Peace is being in service of and receiving the service from others.
- Peace is releasing attachment to material things.
- Peace is responding rather than reacting.
- Peace is believing in the inherent good in people.
- Peace is letting go of separateness; understanding that we are all one.
- Peace is the ability to disagree without making others wrong.
There are so many ways to describe peace that this list could continue for a long time. For me however, the list is only a beginning.
Peace is also action.