In addition to American Thanksgiving, November brings Remembrance Day (Veteran's Day in the U.S.). November 11 is observed in many parts of the world as a celebration of the moment that peace came at the conclusion of hostilities in World War I. Two minutes of silence is a fading concept, though many of us remember standing quietly in school for two minutes at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
One of the lessons is that peace must be sought, and often fought for and earned. This is as true for each of us in our daily life as it is for Remembrance Day, or Armistice Day as it was previously known. Seeking peace is not a passive act. To seek, or search, requires an energy, an action and a commitment, and on occasion a willingness to take the hard road. Opportunities to seek peace abound in our daily lives, and yet are often overlooked, or simply allowed to pass by without action or response on our part. The joke that utilizes racial stereotypes or the comment that belittles someone that is left unchallenged by those who hear it is an opportunity to seek peace that is lost. All too often we allow these events to pass without taking exception to the comment, in the misguided belief that "it's not worth fighting about".
This of course raises the question what is worth fighting about? Where would you draw the line? When would you speak up? It has been said that the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. I would further suggest that the pursuit of peace is set back a little each time the opportunity to promote peace is allowed to pass by without action.
In our current times, the public attitude about drinking and driving is that it is irresponsible and unacceptable. This was not always the case. One doesn't have to look too far into the past to find a time where driving home drunk and not getting caught was an achievement to be celebrated the next time one gathered for a round of drinks with their friends.
Imagine if our attitudes towards seeking peace underwent this same transformation. Imagine what a world we would have if the telling of a joke utilizing a racial stereotype or a belittling comment resulted in a silent response or even better a response from another that highlighted the inappropriateness of the remark. Imagine the wonder of a world where everyone was seen for what they had, not what they lacked, and everyone was accepted for who they were without judgement. What a wonderful world it would be.
It will take people of peace seeking peace to make this happen. It will require action on the part of those who seek peace to ensure that those who would lessen our opportunities for a peaceful world are confronted in a way that helps them understand that they do not serve any good purpose by promoting stereotypes or disparaging others.
Yes, an end to war in our world in our time would be a significant achievement. A step towards peace, through actively seeking peace at every opportunity may in the short term do little to increase the chances of such an outcome, but wouldn't it make for a better world for each of us.
