Peace Begins with a Smile

 

 

 

I think it's time, don't you?

Somewhere I read that everything we do, every simple action or word, sends an energy into the world, either positive or negative, ultimately contributing to either war or peace.

We can point fingers and lay blame, but to some degree each one of us carries that responsibility and power.

I believe Thomas Merton wrote it in "The Seven Storey Mountain ", although I haven't been able to find it again. But no matter who wrote it, it stuck with me...the image of our complaints, our smiles, our angry outbursts, our words of thanks or apology drifting away from us and taking sides in a cosmic dance of good and evil. 

When my kids were little, I advised them to use a simple test for their words and actions - is it "nice" or "necessary"? If neither, don't say it or do it.

 

In light of the recent violent events in Paris and California and, well, almost everywhere in the world ... especially in the increasing intensity and frequency of those events ... I'm going to take my own advice and refocus my efforts to contribute to the 'good' side more than the bad, especially when I'm driving in traffic, which I think is my biggest challenge!

I hope you join me!

 

"Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let us use love and compassion. Peace begins with a smile. Smile five times a day at someone you don't really want to smile at at all. Do it for peace. Let us radiate the peace of God and so light His light and extinguish in the world and in the hearts of all men all hatred and love for power. Smile at one another. It is not always easy. Sometimes I find it hard to smile at my Sister, but then I pray.

God loves the world through you and me. Are we that love and that compassion?"

~Mother Theresa, "In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories, and Prayers "