We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the whole world would change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
The holiday season is approaching.
Setting the intention to make peace with those with whom we do not agree is the best gift we can offer for our personal and collective well-being.
We can influence the world around us by altering our nature and tendencies.
Changing the lens through which we perceive an offender to consider the wounded child within makes it possible to forgive and bring out the best in ourselves and others.
A story about the art of reconciliation
Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.
~ Marvin J. Ashton
I heard a parable this week that exemplifies the power of connection in de-escalating conflict.
A young man who is a student of martial arts is riding on a train in Japan when a tramp enters.
The tramp is drunk, dirty, provocative, and mean. He curses and torments passengers. He taunts a young couple, becoming increasingly abusive.
The young man is ready to pounce him when he hears a little elderly gentleman in the background calling out.
Hey! You. Over here.
The tramp turns to him with contempt in his eyes.
The gentleman begins to tell him about his garden and how he especially loves his persimmon tree.
He asks the tramp if he likes persimmons, igniting softness in the tramp’s disposition. A sense of connection becomes apparent.
The gentleman says he and his wife love to sit in the garden. He asks,
Do you have a wife?
No, says the tramp.
No wife. No job. No friends. No loved ones.
The tramp, out-gunned by the wise gentleman, weeps on his lap. The gentleman strokes his back.
As the young man leaves the train, he realizes he has just witnessed the art of reconciliation, a concept his Sensei had been challenging him to learn.
This young man was practicing Aikido, a unique martial art that teaches the practitioner to create harmony with opponents rather than confront them directly.
Closing thoughts
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
This holiday season soften the heart and open the mind.
We have witnessed so much division lately.
Unity is possible.
We can bring out the best in people.
Kindness is infectious.
A simple act of kindness can go viral. It is a small step toward creating peace - halting war.
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