Hello Mi Neighbour! | Enjoy peace with your Maker and your fellowman

Big question: How can we be at peace with someone who doesn’t seem to want to be at peace with us? Tough one, eenh? … Let’s tackle this one together. It may be a spouse, a neighbour, a co-worker, or a friend-now-turned-enemy etc. An easy way out is to ignore the other party and focus on personal peace. Wish it were that easy in the real world! Matters not the extent to which personal or inner peace may be intact. In our hostile environment, that peace could easily fizzle out if one is not vigilant. Let’s therefore work towards communal peace, even as we guard our personal peace.

Internal peace is foundational to a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. Through His Word, our Maker, who best understands the importance of peace to human existence, admonishes each of us to “seek peace and pursue it”. Even as we pursue this peace, at the same time, we are called upon to make peace and be blessed. “Blessed are the peace makers .” Yes man, let’s become peace cultivators and receive some ‘out-of-this-world blessings’.

First, let’s look at some incentives for cultivating internal peace:

· Internal peace helps us stay calm, composed and in control, even in trying times.

· It enables us to think more clearly and make better decisions.

· This kind of peace helps us to remain humble, even as our self-image soars.

· Whenever we are at peace, we are more compassionate, understanding, likeable and pleasant. Isn’t that nice?

Apart from the internal health risks that internal peace helps to mitigate, this peace helps us bounce back from setbacks, even without a scratch.

That said, a neighbour suggests that the process of peace cultivation begins with:

· Jotting down your thoughts and feelings. This activity helps to release negative emotions and engage positive ones.

· Spending time observing and enjoying God’s beautiful creation. There’s beauty even in that which seems ugly. Keep looking until you see this beauty, which is often “in the eyes of the beholder”.

· Learning to give thanks in everything.

Apart from ‘peace enablers’ like regular exercise, healthy eating and sufficient sleep, we MUST practise FORGIVENESS of self and others for the sustenance of this peace.

Now that we are ready to cultivate personal peace, how do we maintain it while helping to foster a peaceful environment?

Let’s hear from another neighbour:

· Establish and keep within your boundaries while maintaining respect for others.

· Attempt to understand what might be driving the other person’s behaviour.

· Recognise the other person as a fellow human being, even if you disagree with their actions or words.

· Focus on managing your own emotions, rather than the other person’s.

· Avoid confrontations as far as possible, even if they’re pushing your button.

Let’s look at this case study. You and your coworker, John*, had a history of disagreements. He would often criticise your ideas and make snide comments during meetings. You tried to address the issue directly with John, but he became defensive and dismissive. How would you find peace here?

This was what Sissy* did.

She limited her interactions with John to only work-related issues.

She concluded that John’s behaviour might be a result of his own stress and pressures.

She concentrated on her own work and reactions, rather than trying to change John’s behavior.

She avoided engaging with John’s provocative comments and, instead, maintained a calm demeanour.

She forgave his unkind comments every time.

Over time, Sissy found that she was no longer allowing John’s behaviour to affect her mood and productivity. She was able to maintain a professional relationship with him, even though they still disagreed on some issues. Sissy’s peace and confidence came from focusing on her own actions and reactions, rather than trying to change John’s behaviour.

“Great peace have they that love thy law and nothing shall by any means offend them”.

“Seek peace and pursue it.”

May you enjoy peace with your fellowman and your Maker.

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH AN ITEM FROM BELOW:

1. Food, building materials, accommodation, cash to start a small business etc.

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636 or 876 884-3866, email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column, and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.