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FEATURED COLUMNIST
Actions for Peace By Beatrice Miller
Editor’s note: This reflection was written I choose to see that choosing peace during the ongoing war by Russia in means learning from formidable situaUkraine but before the Hamas attack on tions, learning from all aspects of life. Israel sparked war in the Middle East. Reflecting and considering all options, it is ••• a patient practice. Periodically, peace does not seem like the first approach to action. hat is peace? I wish to begin with a word In those instances, we are often fearful from the Dalai Lama, “If you and choose to move with fiery exertions. wish to experience peace, provide peace If we reflect on the negative, isn’t it more likely we can find the positive. If we notice for another.” I’m trying to understand the process what went wrong, can’t we improve? Try of peaceful actions as an alternative to again? violent conflicts. Do you wonder if peace Peace is finding strength in yourself, is not something we actively choose, but by using honest, kind words. Through rather a value we uphold? How difficult seeking to be empathetic – to imagine is this for the many of us who yourself in their place. It is will never experience harmful choosing to breathe and act conflicts, war or disaster. gracefully; we should strive to I don’t consider myself be more compassionate and to be a violent person, seeing more genuine people. as I don’t choose to engage in I think peace is acceptance. harmful or destructive situaAccepting that this planet is tions, yet I can understand what enormous, messed up and out it means to act with good intenof our control. It is beyond Beatrice Miller tions. Respecting others and comprehension how many living with calm energy, but confidently today endure despair, war or inequitable understanding that more than anything, treatment of human origin and creation. peace is a definite solution towards any Our planet has disasters and cruel manifestation of an issue. Well, that might people, but it also contains the most feel impossible. inspiring souls. Our planet is also full of I was asked to create a writing to powerful leaders: Martin Luther King Jr., share with my whole school for the Gandhi, Malala Yousafzai, Albert Einstein International Day of Peace. Our school – pacifists who shaped our world. They honors this day beautifully, inviting guest were scared, I’m sure they had doubts, speakers, parents and our community to but when they didn’t stop choosing to share this moment. At Mount Madonna act with peace, they created a whole new School, we respect the significance of this world. date, and I look forward to it every year. Acknowledge the reality of what It gives students the opportunity to bask peace can lead to. Notice the moment when in the wonderful words, songs and dance peaceful action is crucial. Learn, from the of others. world as your muse, what can we do to Now, while I knew I was up to the ensure our home is a safe space full of love. challenge of preparing something for this Today calls all citizens to go out of their day, I was unsure if I would be able to com- way to voice peaceful action. The United pletely encapsulate the meaning of peace. Nations calls for all of us to consider why I researched diligently, scanned through this day needed to be created, and the sigmy own life and ultimately came to a con- nificance of peace in our world. Peace is not clusion. Just know that my definition of the opposite of violence. Violence chooses peace is an opinion, but the words I wrote to ignore peace. This day is honored to ring true in my soul. show the beauty, and the power, of peace. Peace revolves around human per- Acting with peace is something done every spective and perception of our world day, from within your heart. and everything it consists of. Peace is Finally, a quote from Cesar Chavez, more than a concept, or some neat way who emulates this day with his non-violent to express nature’s serenity, it is beyond conduct and creation: “Non-violence is not an aesthetic or a catchphrase. The Inter- inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for national Day of Peace represents an open the timid or weak. It is hard work. It is the discussion where we can figure out how willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to to be better. How young adults, children, win.” n and all ages who exist in this ecosystem, ••• can rise to become role models for the Beatrice Miller is a senior at Mount impending future. Madonna School.
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