Peace Is Just One Interaction Away
“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.“
— Nelson Mandela
Lately, I’ve heard many express frustration over the growing political, social, and personal societal divisions. Friendships are strained, communities are divided, and associating with those who think differently is impossible. But the more we allow separation, the harder it becomes to bridge the divide.
Peace Is An Active Creation
Many say, “I just want peace.” But peace doesn’t just happen—we must actively create it. The path to peace starts with our willingness to listen, understand, and acknowledge different perspectives.
You might ask, why engage with the other side? It allows us to see them without resentment or fear. If we listen, we might find they seek the same things we do—just navigating differently. We don’t have to agree to show respect or extend kindness. What if we saw them as learning opportunities instead of viewing differences as barriers?
Start With Curiosity
I have clients, friends, and family whose views differ from mine. It was not easy at first, but as I’ve used curiosity and attentive listening to understand their perspective, This approach helped bring down some walls that had been growing higher and higher. Now, when we talk, it’s more about sharing ideas and recognizing that, despite our differences, we still love and respect one another. It has been eye-opening to see how often we aim for the same result, just through different approaches.
Lean Into Understanding
What if we agreed to disagree and accepted that different perspectives are not only okay but necessary? Our experiences, upbringing, and values shape our views. Imagine a world where we all thought the same—it would lack creativity, diversity, and growth.
Instead of letting differences divide us, what if we used them to bring us together? What if we sought to understand before seeking to be understood? True peace isn’t about uniformity but coexistence with respect and empathy.
Practice Peace
One person can make a difference. Nelson Mandela did this by learning the “language” of those he disagreed with—not just their words but their values, fears, and hopes. We can do the same:
- Have coffee with a neighbor whose views challenge us.
- Listen to understand, not debate.
- Ask, “Help me understand how you came to feel this way,” instead of trying to prove a point.
Understanding and peace are not destinations but practices—choices we make daily to listen, respect, and bridge the divide.
Stay Open and Expand Your World
I recently heard someone say, “When you believe you already have the answer, you close yourself off to new possibilities. But when you stay curious, embracing a sense of wonder, life becomes richer, fuller, and more exciting.”
So let’s open ourselves to understanding perspectives different from our own. Who knows? We might just learn something that expands our world in ways we never expected.
May we all approach our differences with curiosity rather than fear and remember that true peace begins within us. Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s continue to create a world where respect, love, and understanding lead the way.
With Love and Peace,
Edna
