Invest in Peace

I enjoy watching press conferences, hearing radio interviews and just in general being present in conversations where what is said can tip the pendulum of perceptions. As humans we often are a distracted and self-centered species and because of that we often fall into the trappings of anger, threats and ultimately war. Our words are like weapons and in my assessment many people are extremely adept at using those words for negative means versus positive means. What is even more disturbing is that many people are often unaware that they yield this power when they are using it. I can make a case that most of the conflicts and wars in our great country's history and any country's history have been based on negative words that have led to negative actions. Sometimes a single line of rebuttals or angry comments can spark a backlash and outbreak that is very difficult for nations to overcome in the long term.

You see, the investment in conflict is much easier to grasp than the investment in peace. Now I know some of you might be thinking that you want to avoid conflict and live in peace, but ask yourself how often do you have drama with others? How many times have you reacted without thinking and said something that damaged important relationships? If you are someone who speaks without thinking and argues emotionally then you find conflict much easier than peace. Have you ever heard the phrase it is easier to frown than it is to smile? It is a similar thing. It is much easier to be great at bad things then it is to be great at good things.

I will give you another example. When I was doing my undergraduate studies as a student-athlete at James Madison University, I used to always drive by this church that was right outside of campus. On the small billboard next to the church it always read, "Faith does not make things easier." Even though I have been a Christian for practically my whole life, this dawned on me in a way that I had never thought of. Having faith in Christ does not make your life full of rainbows and flowers. In fact, faith requires you to live a life of higher moral and ethical expectations and because of that it can become a harder life because living well and responsibly is HARD! Living fast and furisou and having no rules is easy because there are no boundaries or a healthy fear of the consequences that will occur because of your actions.

Point being...the investment to live and act in peace in your life is a difficult one, but one that can be done if you discipline and commit yourself to it. If you are a serious networker and/or someone who has interaction with lot of people for your business then your biggest efforts should be in building bridges of peace with others. This does not mean that you will be best friends and have deep and intimate relationships with all of the people you meet, but you will at least have at a minimum, peaceful relationships with others.

Your greatest power is not in being tough physically towards others...it is in extending your hand and being loving and peaceful towards others even when they do things to try to create conflict in your life. That's power.

Until next time...

Dr. D