World Peace Day: 21st September
By Dr Birbal Jha*
Do you want peace of mind and happiness in your life? I hold that each of you would straightforwardly say a big yes to my question without giving a thought to it even for a second. Given that all we want throughout our lives is an aura of composure, peace, tranquillity, and serenity.
We’re required to have a sound sleep, irrespective of the situations are put in. Further, at the crack of dawn, we want to wake up without being lethargic. We don’t want to have feelings of guilt at the back of our minds either when we happen to see the first ray of the Sun.
If at all you are given a sobriety test, you must pass it. It is an ideal situation and a sign of healthy living if you are not required to resort to booze merely to be tipsy enough to sleep for the night.
You don’t want to see somebody gloomy, grouchy, grumpy, huffy, miserable, sad, sulky, or with a long face either. Cheers on other’s faces invite the same to ours as well. You can’t see your own smile without the help of someone or something. Make others smile. See the result. Never tend to be sadistic.
I don’t think any of you’d like to have a lack of peace in your life. Human life without a soothing vibe begins to cease to exist, though it remains to be in flesh and blood. All we want is to be at peace even in a hubbub of commotion, noise, shouting or laughter. At the same time, we want to say our piece, as the freedom to free speech is guaranteed by the Constitution we enjoy having.
How do you reach such a state of mind? Take it from me. It results from not having ill will, grudges, guilt, problems, or worries. Your genuine pursuit of peace will result in happiness. Seek, and you’ll find it. This biblical line holds true.
Let’s have a look at the verse from the Bible: There’s no peace for the wicked or weary. Having said that, don’t be wicked and mischievous. Even though someone’s been acquitted of a crime or sin, they will not go unpunished. God exists there. He incarnates himself in human form. Remember that a sin against others is seen as a sin against God. Hence, refrain from sinning. Hold back the moment you tend to do something wrong. It is a sin to speak evil of others. The moment you do it, you lose your composure, peace, and cordiality.
The first thing you should learn is how to hold your tongue. In other words, refrain from speaking something unpleasant. Treat others as you want to be, taking a leaf from the Hindu epic the Gita.
Learn the value of a peace offering. It holds a lot of water. Hence, show the kind gesture to the person you fall out with at times. Don’t aggravate the matter that can be brought to the peace table. Leaving even a chocolate as a peace offering is a good gesture. Patching up is something good. You may be required to smoke the peace pipe with those who you may have been your adversary. Turn enmity into amity. The enormity of complexity will transform into the acme of cordiality.
Any individual, for that matter, a nation, can earn a peace dividend by not engaging in war or not buying weaponry. A penny saved is a penny earned. No doubt having deep pockets boosts our confidence. You can’t run a vehicle without tanking it up. In the same manner, you can’t move on without sustenance. An army marches on its stomach.
However, you may be faced with unfavourable scenarios. You may make an error. Humans are prone to making mistakes. Admit your faults. When you make a mistake, confess your mistakes and repent. Confess your sins and do your penance when you go wrong. See how it works. You’ll be able to remove the obstacles in the way of world peace. Be on the peace mission.
Let’s be at peace, not in conflict. Be creative, not destructive. Don’t be fractious. Nobody likes others being malicious and spiteful. Love, not hate, brings peace. Learn the art of being at peace with the world. It will keep us from pain and suffering.
Stop bothering others. Leave others in peace. You’ll find it for yourself. When it comes to addressing comments or remarks to someone, say them directly but not offensively. Don’t offend others, if you don’t want to be offended. Don’t try to pursue your own happiness at the expense of others. Don’t tend to be hedonistic. Hedonism emphasises self-enjoyment as the primary goal of life. You can’t get real peace.
In case of falling out with others, make peace with them. Reconciling is a method of releasing tension, conflict, remorse, and other negative emotions that crop up in the course of life.
No worries, and peace out! Make a change in your life. Do say your piece. It is being assertive in expressing what you believe or are required to say. The cliché goes, “Speak now or forever; hold your peace.” It suggests that if you have any concerns or reasons against something, now is the moment to express them.
However, don’t misunderstand the proverb—If you want peace, you must prepare for war. The broader sense is that being well-prepared militarily deters other factions from pursuing violent actions. Wake up to peace! World Peace Day reminds us to realise that humanity seeks peace, love, and cordiality.
*The writer is a noted author, accredited with having created a revolution in English training In India with the slogan ‘English for all’.
