Making Choices Column As seen in Marketplace Publications
By Darlene Benton
It appears many people on the planet are overwhelmed with conflict. Warring nations, families, governments and neighbors are the norm for daily existence.
Conflict is normal as we are all a little different in how we view the world. But spending most of one’s life in conflict without a caring spirit leaves little room for personal peace.
A few years ago I learned from a dear friend that if I continued to allow chaos and conflict to infest my daily life, there could be no peace. At the time it seemed easy for someone else to believe but impossible to make my own reality.
The path of peace is paved with many choices. My desire for peace became so intense; I chose to separate from anyone whose focus was on what wasn’t working in their life and with me. No matter how deep my love was for anyone, I had to love myself more to avoid conflict.
There comes a point when if there is nothing that can be done to change a dysfunctional situation, we can move on. When caring for a loved one who is dying, this idea doesn’t apply, but for just about every other relationship, I believe we owe it to ourselves to find peace.
Our media has mesmerized us into believing chaos is just the way life is. But whatever we give energy to expands.
Spending most days with media, jobs and people in chaos fuels a conflict mentality. Sensationalizing everything from health issues to war, we become caught up in problems beyond our control.
The way to put an end to this type of daily life is to make things as simple as possible. Being nice to one another and caring enough about ourselves to expect the same in return is a simple yet furthering path.
When people and situations don’t fit this pattern, we have a choice to make it so. We have the power to create whatever we desire in our lives but fear is the inhibitor.
A simple life with a few special people in it, doing work we love and choosing peace in our free time are not beyond one’s control. Yet because this is a rare occasion in our world, it is a lonely path.
Saying no to conflict and drama takes courage and a strong will because most people around us feed their egos on this way of being. It means living more privately but ultimately more peacefully.
Resolving conflict in our own lives and making peace is like a ripple in the ocean of world chaos. If enough of us choose to live our lives peacefully, our light will cause waves of peace around the planet.
Copyright 2005, Darlene Benton
For comments write: Making Choices, PO Box 28, Albion, NY 14411 or e-mail paradise313@verizon.net
