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Perish the Thought of Ever-lasting Peace 2

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Hello Lovely People

Think back to a situation that you can describe as your own war.  Was it a war where you were a soldier?  Or was it an argument, or a conflict situation that you did not enjoy at all?  Was it inner turmoil where you had to make peace with some changes in your life?

Here is the interesting question: what did you gain from the situation?

One of the main things I have gained from war – even if it is just conflict with another person, is an appreciation of diversity.  We are not the same.  There are a few billion different people on this planet.  Every one of us have something to contribute to humanity.

I have experienced inner conflict situations where I assumed that various people were the enemy.  I have on many occasions been surprised to discover empathy and compassion in others, and this has taught me humility.

Conflict situations have allowed me to experience gratitude for what I have and for what I have gained from the conflict.  I have learnt to look for the upside of every conflict situation and for the downside of every situation that was based on an infatuation with a person or circumstances.  As a result my life has become far more balanced.  I have learnt to control and manage my emotions, rather than allow strong emotions to manage me.

Have you noticed that with any conflict you get to a point where you have clarity of vision?  You move above and beyond the conflict and as a result you see the so-called bigger picture.  Suddenly you realise how petty and insignificant your conflict is, and you experience the relief that goes with peace.

Have you ever had conflict with a love partner, and as a result experienced even deeper love based on increased understanding?  Now there is a moment of peace that I would not exchange for anything.

Looking back at my life, conflict has allowed me to cut ties with people and move on.  Often we hold on to people to the detriment of everyone involved.  Conflict allows us to let go and grow into greater things.  Sadly, we hardly ever stop to thank our opponents for allowing us to leave them behind.

Conflict also often forces us to change direction.  Remember that vicious boss who eventually made you resign in desperation?  Remember how you got a far better job which allowed you to grow and learn more about yourself?  Imagine still being stuck in that going-nowhere-fast relationship and not meeting the next person who was ready for the new you.

War and peace do not only happen between countries.  We have war and peace inside of our selves and around us on a daily basis.

Next time you wish for peace, remember that peace will not last.  Neither will war.  We need peace as much as we need conflict.  That is the purpose of our existence here.

Of course needing conflict does not mean needing to kill other people.  Just step back and see what you can learn from yourself about the conflict.  Then thank your opponent for the lesson and move on.

Love and Light

Elsabe

PS: I am a professional transition coach. I help individuals and businesses to achieve their personal and commercial objectives.

What is the one thing which is consuming all your energy at the moment?

Skype ElsabeSmitUK

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Perish the Thought of Ever-Lasting Peace 1

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Hello Lovely People

What would an Israeli ex-soldier, a Northern Irish child of peace fighters, an Arab with terrorist siblings and a product of South African apartheid have in common?

Would you expect all these people to demand peace and denounce war?  Probably.

However, here is a completely different take.

Think back to the last time when you had a moment of complete peace.  Can you remember what you experienced?  Was it stillness, or bliss?  Can you remember the calmness?  Now imagine that your moment of peace continues for a long time – like five years with no interruption.  Wouldn’t that be nice?

I thought not.

I made a list of the drawbacks of such a long spell of peace.  My list included a lack of personal growth.  What do we learn from the good times?

Of course there would be no challenge, because everyone will agree that this peace is wonderful, and there is no challenge in similarity.

Just the thought of all this makes me feel bored already.  I do not particularly enjoy fighting or arguing, but I cannot imagine that a long period of being unchallenged by anything will be anything less than boring.  It is great to feel placid and quiet, but as the saying goes, too much of a good thing is no longer good.

Have you ever had a real fight on your hands and then experienced peace afterwards?  I can remember many instances where I achieved that peace, and enjoyed all of it.  If I did not first experience the conflict, I would probably not have appreciated the peace.

I actually enjoy having my attention and energy focused on some objective.  There are times when I simply focus on clearing my mind so that I can receive creative thoughts and energy.  What if I receive all that energy and I am so at peace with myself and the world that I just allow the energy to flow away through my fingers?  Possibly once, maybe twice, and after that I will get itchy.  That is my nature.

I feel that everlasting peace will be a denial of life.  We do not live in a world where there is always peace.  Even when we live in a peaceful country, we always experience some inner turmoil based on love, work or social relationships.  If no other people are involved, we still have some sort of inner turmoil.  Life is about not having peace and always striving towards peace.

Of course there is another side to every situation – like a coin which always has two sides.

To be continued

Love and Light

Elsabe

PS: I am a professional transition coach. I help individuals and businesses to achieve their personal and commercial objectives.

What is the one thing which is consuming all your energy at the moment?

Skype ElsabeSmitUK

Twitter ElsabeSmit

LinkedIn Elsabe Smit