Greetings all,

I was conducting a dialogue group in my Psychology of Peace, Conflict and Violence class on Tuesday, to demonstrate a different way of communicating. The sentiment in the air was of feeling overwhelmed and despairing so we dialogued about what peace means to us. Although not intended to be a poem, I took notes on what people said and this is the result.

We hope it inspires you.

Peace Is ….

Peace is an intention and a process,

It is resilience to change yourself the way you see the need.

Peace is saying you’re sorry as a starting point.

Peace is acceptance and moving on, a place within to find and commune.

Peace is a balance between being and doing and standing in the right spot to access it.

Peace is many levels and about finding the good in others.

Peace is the Serenity Prayer and being kindness and love.

Peace is hope and light and energy. It means it is more important to be kind than to be right.

Peace is truth.

Peace is dynamic, energetic and about action; a way of being; forever moving.

Peace is love and respect.

Global peace means no war. Personal peace is connecting with the natural world.

Peace is balance and being content with oneself.

Peace is the Tao. Like the rock in water, seeing them as a whole and interacting entity; like water finding the way of least resistance yet carving its own path.

Peace is an embodied right that is hard to wait for, so hurry up peace!

Peace is comic relief….

Peace is forgiveness of others when they can’t do it themselves.

Peace means live the life and don’t wait for others.

 

We are: thoughtful, peaceful, sad, overwhelmed in a good way, patient, present, respectful, grateful, relaxed, tense, quiet, open, caffeinated, discovered, emotional, energetic, anxious, encouraged, inspired, optimistic, captivated.

By: Naomi, Bryan, Julie, Mistie, Courtney, Jennifer, Rose, Lia, Jennie, Gabriela, Mary, Kimberley, Sarah, Aji, Katie-Lynn, Judith and Abbie

Psychology of Peace, Conflict and Violence:  Spring, 2010