Live in Peace

‘Rest in Peace’ (RIP) they say in an obituary. It would serve a much better to purpose to say to everyone, ‘Live in Peace’. As we celebrate the international day of peace on September 21st , we need to devote ourselves to strengthening peace and togetherness among families, people and nations. The practice of peace starts within oneself. To be happy and satisfied within oneself, is to plant the first seed of peace. We all know that the greatest destroyer of resources and lives is war. The UN identifies several challenges standing in the way of peace: poverty, hunger, diminishing natural resources, water scarcity, social inequality, environmental degradation, diseases, corruption, racism and xenophobia, among others, pose challenges to peace. If these challenges are met, the causes for conflict can be eliminated and the global architecture of peace can be built. Each of us must strive to resolve these issues in our own lives. Then next step is to reduce their impact in the families we live in. We then need to reach out to our communities. The practice of peace starts with building an attitude of collaboration and cooperation in our own lives. Research has proved that the regular practice of meditation can positively affect at least 200 people in our environment. To be peaceful at home, on the roads and in the market place, releases and liberates resources that can be used for societies to develop and prosper. So let us declare, practice peace in our own lives this year and resolve: • To focus on avoiding conflict in our families and building togetherness • To practice friendliness and collaboration with our neighbours to build happy streets. • To reach out to all those who work for us and help them to overcome poverty and need. • To practice and spread the art of meditation and kindness. • To practice fairness, high ethical and quality standards at work. So this year, let us live and practice the art of peace and happiness.