Dear Family:
Is there anything more gratifying than peace within our own family? Perhaps those who have no disagreements, no dissension, no differences in lifestyle or core values within their family, can’t identify.
As for me? I am grateful for each morning I wake up to that easy, peaceful feeling. There is a deep sense of satisfaction in thinking of each and every one of you and knowing that all is well…not perfect, perhaps, but smooth. Knowing that differences of opinion are not creating disharmony. Knowing that for now, disagreements do not signal all-out warfare.
I can take confrontation. In fact, there have been times in my life when I thought I thrived on it and I still love a good debate. And at the same time, I want there to be issues over issues, not personalities. I want there to be a base of love and understanding and tolerance. I don’t always get what I want, but I have it right now.
So today I send compassion to all of the parents and grandparents who are not beginning this year in the assurance of peace. The love is there but it has been overshadowed in this instant by unrest and the hollow feeling of not knowing how to mend the broken chords of family ties.
The difugalty lies in finding a solution.
As a parent I can think of only one solution for all of us. Keep loving. In the face of strife, be unconditional in our acceptance. In the face of abuse, whether physical, mental or emotional; protect ourselves without building impenetrable walls. Have boundaries without creating barbed-wire fences. Emotional distance can isolate us from those who matter, too. We must try not to shut down, knowing that in some strange and indefinable way, closing our hearts to one closes our hearts to all.
There is a path to détente which clears the path to true peace. I wish it were short. I wish it had no fissures and obstacles along it. Still, there is a path.
I am happy to have taken steps toward peace. I am hopeful that you can stay on it with me. And I pray for those who are still struggling along the way.
xxoo
I have joined Bloggers for Peace. If you are a blogger, I hope you will join me.
A Letter to my Children 
We have peace within our family primarily because we four siblings did not have to fight over inheritance and our children have all been given what is theirs within our life time. It also helps that we are spread out all over the world and get to meet all together rarely. That distance and connectedness thanks to modern communication methods, keep the bonds strong.
I have as much desire for peace as the next person but am practical enough to appreciate that it is a pipe dream irrespective of what John Lennon asks me to do. I do my bit for peace by being peaceful myself!
The Bloggers For Peace movement seems quite nice. Thanks for pointing it out to me.
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Well, sometimes physical distance does make a difference. That’s one of the perks of electronics, isn’t it? That we are never far apart no matter where we live? After all, I can read what you say to me within minutes if I’m listening to the beeps emitted by my computer…and pay attention.
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Disharmony and conflict within the family (or important social relations) are terribly straining!
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Yes, it’s amazing how much stress it adds to life. I suppose it is just another lesson in letting go and being one’s loving self, and still it is difficult.
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Exactly! This is a crucial issues for both Peter and me, as IÄve told you about the disharmony with his mom. With important friendships it’s the same. Most of the stress of the past year was due to such social disharmony and conflict.
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I hope this coming year is filled with love and acceptance. You and Peter deserve that. xxoo
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Thank you 🙂
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