Encouragement

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Looking around at the current problems throughout the world, we could surely be forgiven if we threw up our hands in despair and said “let them get on with it, there is nothing we can do” for we seem to be living in more dangerous and violent times than ever before.

This is now the age of street violence, of the anti-hero, with vast media coverage of the so-called bad boy, or bad girl of pop, or the hard man of football. But how much of the malevolence in them is really part of their nature, and how much is generated by the media in order to sell more copy.

The danger here is that immature and impressionable youngsters will often tend to imitate their ‘idols’ regardless of the pain they are causing others. It was said of a hell-raising, sometimes violent film actor who died recently that he was at heart a really nice guy, but he just felt that he had to live up to his wild image.

Brutality is nothing more than an arrogant and cowardly disregard for the lives and property of others. It is also an indication of an innate weakness and insecurity. True strength, the strength that gives purpose and meaning to our existence, lies with those who resist the path of evil, and who contribute to their fellow man in a positive and peaceable way. Peace is one of the most potent signs of strength, because it means that although we are surrounded by evil we do not allow it to defile or corrupt our character by responding in a similar brutal fashion.

If we follow the path of peace, then by the power of our choice we can help it to grow and flourish. However, a calm attitude such as this should not be mistaken for a weak, naïve response, but signifies instead a quiet, but powerful confidence, especially when confronted by anger or hostility.

There is an old Chinese proverb that goes thus:
“If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”

So, if we experience the power of peace each and every day, then we will truly understand how beautiful and rich our lives can be.

May peace be with you all.

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