The Law of Peace for Yourself

International Woman Peace Group

Many human beings experience prolonged conflict in their life. Not just a day or two, but disputes that can last for months, even years.

It is not only conflict in the form of war that greatly disrupts human life, but also conflict between tribes, neighbors, and even between family members. No matter what the scale of conflict, it inevitably has adverse effects on humans. Joy is gone, and peace is not easy to get.

Many human beings are continuously immersed in conflict and suffer because of it. However, why did it take so long without any resolution? Mostly because they do not understand how to solve it.

When I first attended the training to become a peace educator, the Peace Lecturer Education Program (PLTE), organized by the International Woman Peace Group (IWPG), I was very surprised when students were asked to make their personal Law of Peace.

A question arises, "Isn't it better for me or someone else to go to an expert, and then ask for advice on making peace laws for myself and others? Am I, not an expert, not a psychologist or counselor, nor clergyman, who can give advice to myself?"

However, because this is a task for the PLTE students, I cannot help but be forced to think hard about making a law of peace for myself as a commitment to keep my heart at peace both with myself and those around me.

I was forced to think because having only one or two commitments was not enough, but at least 10 points. Moreover, the law of peace is not only written but must be practiced.

When carrying out this task, I cannot help but explore what was causing the conflict between me and others. Why do I or other people experience conflict for decades, which is very unpleasant. Just facing the conflict alone is draining a lot of energy.

One by one, I wrote a personal law of peace. Not arrogant, but gentle in all conditions; Not many house rules; Can control emotions when discussing with husband or children; Always apologize to husband and children for mistakes; Patience; Not fussy; Not forgetting to say thank you when good things that are done by people around; Not easily angered; Not easily to cry.

In the beginning, I was just doing my task, not understanding what the personal Law of Peace would do for me. However, the law I made serves as a reminder for me not to break it.

Even though the laws I wrote felt simple and just a cliché, I felt peaceful when implementing them. I smile easily, try to understand other people and many more. Conflicts that used to occur frequently have become less frequent.

After practicing the Law of Peace for myself, I realized that peace must be born from within myself, and others will surely welcome it with peace too. One by one, I practiced the laws of peace. I increasingly felt that the people around me were not as scary as I had felt before.

Someone I was afraid of and avoided meeting with became easy for me to approach, and I could talk very casually with the person. Whereas before, just hearing the person’s name made me tremble. But now, we can talk for a long time without feeling any pressure from myself. I came without pressure, and he greeted me calmly, far from giving a scary vibe. It was amazing.

I am increasingly aware that the conflicts around us are more or less contributed by ourselves. That is what we have to realize.

It is true what the educator at PLTE said; World peace must start with peace from oneself, especially women in this world. A woman's heart, a mother's heart, is fundamentally a heart full of peace.

If the peace movement is carried out simultaneously by 3,9 billion women in this world, it will definitely have a powerful impact. Dreams and struggles to eradicate war from the face of this earth, too, can be realized. Greetings of peace. (nr)