In You were to Paint A Picture Of Peace What Would It Look Like?

It has been reported that since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than eight percent of the time! Of the 3,530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace. Moreover, in excess of 8,000 peace treaties were made--and broken. Obviously world peace has been difficult to accomplish. However, for many an even more difficult challenge has been to achieve peace of mind.

Most people would be glad to have some peace of mind in their life. They would be happy to forget their troubles, problems and worries, and enjoy a few moments of inner calmness. Duke University did a study on "peace of mind." Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are:
1) The absence of suspicion and resentment.
2) Not living in the past.
3) Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change.
4) Force yourself to stay involved with the living world.
5) Refuse to indulge in self pity when life hands you a raw deal.
6) Cultivate the old fashioned virtues..... love, humor, compassion and loyalty.
7) Do not expect too much of yourself.
8) Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Remember that ultimately peace consists not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.

To illustrate this thought Catherine Marshall tells the story that there once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried to take up the challenge. Once all pictures were submitted there were only two that the king really liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for the peaceful mountains that towered around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw the picture thought it to be the perfect picture of peace.

The other picture however had mountains too. The difference was that these mountains were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a thunderous, foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. However, upon looking closely, behind the waterfall there was a tiny bush growing in the crack of a rock. In the bush, a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest .... in perfect peace.

The king chose the second picture, but do you know why? “Because,” explained the king, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”