Give Peace A Chance: Join the Peace Train

There is no way to peace, peace is the way.
AJ. Muste

A New Year has begun. Another year in which war continues. In which the fear, distrust and prejudice between races and religions only seems to intensified. Resulting in intolerance, misconceptions and a (conceived) justification for war. When there in fact can never be a justification for war. War doesn't solve anything, it only further intensifies the hatred, and with that, the fear..

As the the Dalai Lama's states in his compelling Vision for A Compassionate Future:
We need to embrace a more realistic approach to dealing with human conflicts, an approach that is in tune with a new reality of heavy interdependence in which the old concepts of "we" and "they" are no longer relevant. In violent conflicts, the innocent are often the first casualties, as the war in Iraq and Sudan's Darfur crisis painfully remind us. Today, the only viable solution to human conflicts will come through dialogue and reconciliation based on the spirit of compromise (read more from his vision here).

Dialogue to create compassion and understanding, not only at the level of the world leaders. But, first and foremost, at the level of the people. Letting them get to really know each other on a friendly basis, to take away the misunderstanding, the negative emotions between each other. This is the only way to a long-term solution.
In the movie 10 Questions to the Dalai Lama, the Dalai Lama's answer to the question how to resolve the conflict in the Middle East is even more simple. Simple but effective:
We need more festivals, more picnics. First make personal friends, than talk about the serious matters. All major world traditions have the same potential. To create harmony. To create peace of mind.
The results of initiatives like War Child, implementing just that, are hopeful. War Child organises workshops sporting events, theater lessons for children in (former) war zones. Here, children of both 'sides' of the fights play, laugh and talk with each other. And with that, invest in mutual understanding and peace for our future. A quote from one of the children participating in the workshops in the Middle East:
I encourage all children and my friends to participate too. Because their opinion about Jews and Arabs is influenced by the images the media show us. But I want them to experience it themselves, instead of only believing what they see on tv. Because of those images, they ask me how I can play and eat with 'these people'. And I used to be like that too; I couldn't even hear the word 'Jew'. But now, my friends want to try these workshops too!

Creating mutual understanding is only way to take away the fear, the misunderstanding, the prejudice. To me, blogging is one of the ways to create mutual understanding with people all around the world. But, maybe even more, to start a movement with kindred spirits to make a statement for Peace, against War. To make a difference by making people question the real, long-term benefits of war once more. To start of this New Year, Carol has started the Peace Train, a beautiful initiative to collectively Blog for Peace. Please join us here!

Now I've been crying lately,
thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating,
why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun (lyrics Peace Train)

Comments

[Carol]

Hi Ellen,
The logo looks great. The post is beautiful and poinant. I am honored to have you on the 'Peace Train'
Peace.
Carol

[Lisa McGlaun]

Ellen,

Are the solutions that simple? I think they are and they are so simple the majority of people won't believe it, especially those in power.

Make friends, build relationships. It's impossible to shot at someone you care about. Try to be cruel to your neighbor..most of us can't do it. Be neighbors and bring peace..that's the answer.

Thanks for this post.

Lisa

[Titania Starlight]

I would like to thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. Much appreciated.

This is a very inspirational post. Peace is the way and we need to focus on our similarities instead of our differences which are really illusions. Fear is the main factor behind the ills of our world. We are all a part of the big picture. We need to help one another instead of tearing each other down. When we hurt others we are really hurting ourselves. When our world leaders realize this and let go of the need for control we can then move forward in love instead of backwards in hate.

I really enjoy your positive blog that focuses on improving the world.

~Blessings

[Claire Louise Head]

Ellen- many thanks for sharing this truly inspirational poem with us. Yes please, want to board the peace train too:-)!! Agree that the soloutions are simple. Love is the key that unlocks the door to a peaceful garden. There will always be killjoys who want to kill plus kill joy hence derail the peace train yet we must persevere continuously- we all have a part to play in ensuring the peace train reaches its destination of station harmony. We all have differences as our creator made us all different just like the many colours of the rainbow- beautiful colours all united in one wonderful smile.Yet, fear makes us want to change one another instead of coming together in harmony to light up the sky in a spectacular show. The cure for fear is love hand in hand with knowledge. When fear is peacefully defeated then peace is just as natural as a rainbow following the rain. Fear= darkness. Total fear= total darkness. Love= Light. Total love= total light. We all need to shine our lights of love then unity/peace will be possible. Miracles can only happen when the heart is full of love. We must live peace, act peace, talk peace, be peace to ourselves plus each other. Peace comes from a heart full of love not fear. We can all improve this world- peace begins from our own hearts, our own homes- one peaceful word, one peaceful act at a time. It is pieces of love which lead to a complete jigsaw of peace. The peace train - everyone on board-must keep their hearts full of hope too for when we hope miracles happen too. We must be positive in our entire beings- keeping that childlike hope in our hearts alive- having faith that the good/goodness will overcome all that is negative/evil for the light is always more powerful than the darkness- true power/light comes from true love/light.We can all be part of the soloution instead of being part of the problem. Our peace train is powered by a fuel that will not run out- a limitless supply of love, hope, light, positivity energy.The peace train will reach its destination for we will ensure that this happens by our courageous hearts full of love. Expect a love revoloution soon :-)

Big hugs and rainbow smiles,

Claire

[Ellen]

Peace to you too Carol, and my thanks and blessings to you for starting this wonderful initiative!

[Ellen]

Hi Lisa,

yes, I certainly believe that this approach would make a big step towards peace.
Not everything would be resolved, but understanding and really getting to know each other would certainly make an enormous difference!
Thank you for commenting, and your own inspiring blog!

Ellen

[Ellen]

Hi Titiana,

you're welcome, and thank you for leaving such a beautiful comment!

I do believe more and more people are realizing that War is not the way forward. That, as you say, hurting each other is in fact hurting yourself.

Initiatives like the Peace Train help spreading these believes and grow the community that supports them!

Blessings to you too!

Ellen

[Ellen]

Hi Claire,

thanks so much your thoughtful comment!! You're more than welcome to join the Peace train.
You're absolutely right, peace starts in our own heart, in the way we behave towards others (and ourselves)!

But it's like the quote from the children in the WarChild workshops: they need to be able to interact with each other, instead of only believing the coloured views they hear on tv. The children are our future, and peace starts with them.

And yes, I do believe more and more people are willing to take a stand for Peace!

warm wishes to you!

Ellen

[Maithri]

Beautiful!

Love and thanks, Maithri

[Lynda Lehmann]

Wonderful post, Ellen. Bravo!

I would love to come aboard the Peace Train!

Lynda :)

[melissa]

i love that song!!! what an amazing post! i wish that more people were like you. i'm jewish...i've encountered more hatred and prejudice because of that simple fact. and...i never, ever understood why. i will never understand how PEOPLE can hate PEOPLE because of religion or skin color. it drives me insane. i can understand not liking someone, based on actions but...other than that...no, not acceptable!!!!
i'm going to go check out the peace train, and take a ride on it!!!
xoxo,
melissa

[Ellen]

Thank you, Maithri!!
Blessings and peace to you, Ellen

[Ellen]

Hi Lynda,

thank you, I'm really honored you like it!
When you're joining, please let Carol know okay, so she can add you to the list!
Welcome aboard!!
Warm wishes to you,

Ellen

[Ellen]

Hi Melissa, thanks for the compliment..
I can't say I fully understand hatred, certainly not based on religion, but I do think fear and prejudice has a lot to do with it..
Great to have you join the Peace Train!
hug to you,

Ellen

[Barbara]

I am signing up! All aboard!

[Ashley Sanders]

Inspirational and great post!

[Ellen]

Barbara, thanks for joining! I've added you to the Peace Train list, welcome aboard!!

[Ellen]

Thanks for the compliment Ashley, that means a lot to me!!