Late Summer 2009 - "Searching" for Peace
Dear Friends
Maybe this is common knowledge, but did you know that it's possible for a website with a "search" feature to keep track of all of the words typed into the "search" box? When you think about it, it's an amazing tool that can be used to find out just what people are interested in, eager to know about, or are looking to buy.
I tell you this because during the start of the Iraq War, we noticed a huge surge in the number of searches on our website for the word "peace." The conflict was on all of our minds, no matter where we stood politically. We were worried, scared, and not at all comfortable with the fact that our country was at war. So a lot of us were searching for anything that said "peace" -- whether it was the word, itself, the peace symbol, a dove, or anything, really, that communicated hope for a sense of harmony in the world. But now, with the war headlines much smaller, the number of searches for "peace"? Not so many.
I'm pretty sure most of us would agree that the absence of war does not equal peace. And I'm pretty sure most of us would agree that just because we no longer hear daily war casualty numbers doesn't mean that peace resides in the Middle East. One could say that what has replaced the war headlines -- the world economic crisis -- is certainly a situation riddled with anguish, fear, and despair -- many of the traits of war, itself. So, I'm wondering if, judging from the decrease in the number of "peace" searches on our website, many of us believe that we now have less need to think about and work for peace. I hope not.
Because -- and we've heard this a million times -- peace comes from within. It needs to begin very close to home. It might begin with finding something to be grateful for and for sharing your gratitude with a smile for those you meet. It might begin by picking up an extra bouquet at the farmers' market for your neighbor who doesn't get out much. It might begin with taking a deep breath and waiting a moment before you open your mouth to vent to someone. Or maybe by volunteering your time to an effort that makes the earth a gentler place. I guess what I'm saying is that for there to be greater peace in the world, there needs to be greater peace in our own, personal worlds. Internet searches for the word "peace" are fine, but the real search begins within.
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