One Person at a Time

Can world peace be achieved one person at a time? Who knows the answer to that question when we haven’t tested the hypothesis adequately? Even if we had done so, could we measure the results accurately and the individuals involved?

Maybe not, but attitudes begin to change when just one person feels differently about an old idea and is able to express the new view to a few members of his family and friends. The change may encourage others to do the same; at the very least his change will have others questioning their established conclusions. In that atmosphere a lot could happen. Whether it will, remains an open proposition.

World peace is a huge issue. Hundreds of nations comprise the global family of decision makers regarding peace. And peace has an opposite – war. If we aren't speaking of peace, does it automatically call into play its opposite – war? I don’t think so. Between war and peace is much space. In that space a lot of talking and maneuvering can take happen. Each of those efforts can make a difference. Collaborations among several nations can shift and move toward new goals. Peace negotiations thus change and evolve.

We have witnessed the Women’s Movement change a nation’s position on many issues – women’s rights, abortion rights, access to education, expanded opportunities for women in international affairs, diplomacy and executive leadership of nations. One woman can change her mind, and move hundreds of others to join her. Those hundreds move thousands more and soon the movement has swept a nation to a new position internationally.

The same is true of youth, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindi as well as other faithful. They take a stand on an issue. Discussion begins. Modest agreement on basic principles follow. Clarification on disagreements occur as well. Those discussions are saved for another day when more attention can be devoted to them. But when that happens, more modest agreements take shape and old prejudices fall away.

Those participating make a difference in those discussions and revised thinking. Quiet contemplation and talk go a long way in changing mindsets, opening channels of communication. Youth have a way of doing that with seeming effortlessness!

The way is more complex when religious minded people gather to explore each other’s minds on faith. However, when they do they discover the roots of each faith tradition share core beliefs. Yes; they share much the same history and evolution of tradition. They have more to gain by working together than struggling apart.

One person can start the conversation. One person can carry the message to another potential participant. Later they may join in conversation. Or in written discussions exploring many possibilities.

This is basic communication aimed at understanding. Not finding fault or points of disagreement, but finding commonalities which demonstrate how similar we all are. It is at those moments and places that we discover seeds of peace.

Remember those old ‘bull sessions’ at the dorm during college days? Do you recall how flabbergasted you were when you learned a fundamental fact you based a lot of thinking on was actually quite different?  It changed everything at the time. You saw the people differently and your thinking shifted to another plane. Logic jumped to a new role in your process of weighing ideas – old and new!

Those changes happen all the time when people of goodwill sit down to discuss issues honestly and openly. You and I can do that. We are just ‘one person’. We can find peace at least among us?  Who is to know where this will lead? Maybe world peace – eventually?

It seems improbable but what can we gain from it? Very likely world peace.

Just imagine.

March 25, 2015