Hope for peace

“Good can imagine Evil’; Evil cannot imagine good.” “Now is the age of anxiety.”
W. H. Auden

Like many, I am saddened and troubled by the state of the world. I felt the need to share my thoughts, and offer a bit of wisdom, to help bring a sense of balance.

Humankind has run amuck. We are doing it to ourselves, oblivious that our actions might obliterate everything our beautiful earth has to offer. The deliberate killing of fellow human beings is contrary to the meaning, and yes, the profound gift, of life.

I will never understand this relentless quest for power, land, money, and dominance. My heart bleeds for the innocent people killed or disadvantaged by their fellowmen and women.

I’m no expert, but a few tactics have helped me lately, which I’ll share with you.

• Try to avoid reading anything about the current war situations on social media. There is lots of fake news and many suspicious videos circulating, inviting people to take sides based on inaccurate information.
• Try to avoid posting anything about the current war situations. There are always opposing factions, so the less that is put out there, the harder it is to get pulled into one side or another.
• Talk calmly to your children, whatever their age – find out how they’re feeling, what they know, and watch for negative signs. Teach compassion, not stigma, and encourage them to help all sides.
• Keep young children away from social media for some time. It is hard to explain to them why humans fight each other, but telling them that avoiding social media is safer might be doable.
• Look after your own wellbeing: Don’t stay glued to the news – just get the highlights once a day. It will help keep you sane and from getting worried, scared or sad about the world in general.
• Maintain a sense of calm: Find other things to do during the times you would normally watch the news – go for a long walk, do some cooking, have friends over and talk about anything but wars, pain and suffering.

While we shouldn’t ignore the plight of the world, and we should be ambassadors of peace, love, kindness and compassion for each other, the recent events are overwhelming. Let’s take care of ourselves and our fellow human beings, spreading kindness wherever we can.

Auden also said, cynically: “We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don’t know.”

Nevertheless, I pray, and I wait in hope for a day when we turn on the news and see that there is peace in the world. For without faith there is no hope, and without hope, there is nothing.

  bernadette@gogettercoaching.com