Let There Be Peace on Earth

The last month and a half have been filled with non-stop planning.  From wedding and Christmas plans, to creating gifts,  putting final touches on a book, I have spent a lot of time away from my laptop.  I also prepared for two holiday parties, one of which I was the guest speaker.  Needless to say it’s been a busy time, and I know, no matter what you have been doing, it’s been a busy time for you, too.

Yesterday blew a hole into all of these tidy little plans. It was an exceptionally sad day both in Connecticut and in my town.  Everyone is stunned.  Everyone asks the age old questions.  How could this happen?  Why did this happen?  We seek answers in the world around us, but walk away empty handed with more questions in mind. During these times, I turn deep inside myself where the inner struggle leads to more questions. Thank goodness for sleep to still the brain.

I awoke this morning with the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” playing on repeat in my mind.  I particularly like the Vince Gill version so I heard it sung in his voice. As it plays over and over in mind, I imagine going into a room, closing my eyes and listening to the song over and over again.  Whenever the words of:  

"With every step I take

Let this be my solemn vow.

To take each moment 

and live each moment

In peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth 

And let it begin with me."

A surge of power comes over me of how we can change the world, our individual world, with every step we take, every act, every word, and every kind thought. We can change it with everyone around us and let it ripple out across our town, our county, our state, our country and eventually around the globe. We are it. We can change the world. From our small vantage point, we can with every step and every act, be the peace we want to see in the world.

This is my hope and dream for us. To take the devastation of yesterday and turn our world peacefully around. Let greed, fear and horror dissipate when the new peace we create day by day and person by person overtakes us all.  This means no quibbling about how Auntie makes the dessert. No backstabbing a co-worker, no casting blame on others. We need to aspire to this way of life so no person in the world ever feels the need to act that way again. Not an easy task, but if we can live this thought and act this way together we can make the world change.  What better legacy could we leave behind?