The secret to Peace?

[Muenkel 0]

With the current situation we have in the world, all the peace demonstrations, all the rantings for war got me wondering what or who the real culprit is. I think the answer lies with every human being on the face of the planet. Some bear more responsibility than others. War happens due to the selfishness and pride that seems to be inherent in every human heart. That's right, we have an inclination to be selfish and prideful. However, this does not mean we have to give in to that inclination. That's what makes us human...we have a choice. Unfortunately, I don't think all the peace demonstrations are enough to eradicate the current situation we are in. However, I do believe ultimately we can gain peace. Basically, the only person we can change is ourselves. We cannot impose our will on another. We can take our eyes off eachother and look into ourselves. If each one of us made a conscious effort to treat everyone we came in contact with respect, kindness, understanding, love, etc.; it would have a ripple affect. Maybe it would take a long time to turn the tide, but isn't it worth it? Can't we just think more about what we say to eachother? Can't we just give a hand to a neighbor in need and not expect anything in return? How about a smile or a hello to a stranger? If you see trash on the ground, pick it up. In other words, peace begins with each one of us. A selfless act may seem so trivial, but it is still better than the alternative. In my office, I have a quote from Mother Teresa hanging on the wall. It's called:

ANYWAY

People are unreasonable, illogical and self centered;.…..love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;……do good anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow;……do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable;……be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight;……build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you help them;……help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth;……give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

- Mother Teresa


Well this is all I have to add to all the political discussions.

Peace,
Chris

[wmw999 2,444]

Good post. Most of us believe you get one life to live in this world; you don't get to take stuff with you, so you should leave as good a world as you can for the people who are still here.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[jtval 0]

yea with all the craziness going on I believe the secret IS PIECE.

If everyone had one maybe they'd chill out!

My photos

My Videos

[quatorze 1]

Quote

yea with all the craziness going on I believe the secret IS PIECE.

If everyone had one maybe they'd chill out!

naw, dude, the secret to peace is the PIPE you and I both now what the Indians were smoking in those Then everyone would chill out

I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle

[blewaway5 0]

I dunno, maybe I'm a pesimistic bastard but I also like to think I'm a student of humanity. From everything I've ever seen I firmly believe that the second 99% of all people were nice and peaceful then that last 1% would jump up, beat them down andn take whatever they they had that the 1% wanted.

The only way I've stayed relatively peaceful in many many situations (bar fights, for example) was by projecting a force that the 1% felt couldn't be overcome. Disagree with me all you want, cause I love a good debate

Truman Sparks for President

[wmw999 2,444]

Quote

The only way I've stayed relatively peaceful in many many situations (bar fights, for example) was by projecting a force that the 1% felt couldn't be overcome

I'll admit I've never been in a bar fight. That said, I've never felt that way. I'm pretty much of the opinion that if you try to treat people with respect and consideration, the vast majority will appreciate that and give you some consideration in return.

Universal? Undoubtedly not But the rewards so far have far far outweighed the penalties. I don't live a specifically sheltered life, either. But I'll admit I don't go to bars much.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[quatorze 1]

Quote

when he said speak softly and carry a big stick.

Great for his day and time but today I prefer the speak softly and carry a large caliber firearm approach

Quote

Rules for a GUNFIGHT

1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.

2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.

3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.

4. If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough or using cover correctly.

5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)

6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a partner with a long gun.

7. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.

8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, or running.

9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun. Use a gun that works EVERY TIME.

10. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

11. Always cheat, always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

12. Have a plan.

13. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.

14. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.

15. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.

16. Don't drop your guard.

17. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.

18. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them.)

19. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.

20. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.

21. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

22. Be courteous to everyone. Friendly to no one.

23. Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

24. Do not attend a gun fight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a "4".

I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle

[billvon 2,991]

>24. Do not attend a gun fight with a handgun, the caliber of which
> does not start with a "4".

I guess that means the new .50cal S+W is out of the question . . .

[quatorze 1]

Whoops too late to edit and continue some theme so lets just say

" that does not begin with at least '4' "

which means drop the 9mm and try and find a thompson sub

I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle

[blewaway5 0]

Quote

I'm pretty much of the opinion that if you try to treat people with respect and consideration, the vast majority will appreciate that and give you some consideration in return.

See, I totally agree with this, I just don't count on just that. Most of the time that works just fine for me. Maybe it's the places I go, but there is always that one person that pops up sooner or later and doesn't care how much I may respect him as a person, he just wants to prove he's tough by starting crap with the biggest guy in the bar. This behavior isn't limited to bars, either, there will always be someone who wants to get violent for no good reason. When my respect and consideration aren't enough I'll be the very first to say I'm sorry, you're right whether I am or not. The thing is, even after all that, sometimes you still might have to assume a threatening posture. Usually that's enough, but there are a few times when the that doesn't work either, and for those times it pays to be prepared.

Like Mr. Miaggi(sp?) said, "No, Daniel san, it is not good to fight, but if you must fight, it's best to win."

Truman Sparks for President

[misskriss 0]

I have that hanging on my refrigerator....clipped it out of the newspaper....Best is when I catch my kids reading it.....again and again..

[wmw999 2,444]

Maybe it's an advantage sometimes to be 5'4", female, and have a decent vocabulary. I'm not worth messing with for people who want to prove how manly they are, and I don't sound nearly as gullible as I am

Wendy w.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[blewaway5 0]

Ya know, Wendy, that last post sent me off thinking in a fun little tangent here. Some times all I can do is sit back and laugh at humanity. We all usually think along the same lines as far as things like peace and violence are concerned: peace=good, violence=bad. But we all look at how to get there in different ways that are based on our experiences and our point of view. The funny/sad thing about it is we usually end up fighting over those differences, each of us thinking that if we can pound our point of view into the other's head then they will understand and become peaceful. Talk about your giant Catch-22.

Truman Sparks for President

[bodypilot90 0]

Funny how people assume the whole world has the same values as they do. In a world which kids are brain washed by hate. Words of holy men twisted to aid a mad man's plan to kill his own people. Sometimes the only way to handle a bully is to beat him up or hold him off with superior firepower.