World Peace – A Housewife’s Perspective

June 14, 2012

“Let your vision be world-embracing and not confined to thine own self…. The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.” ~ Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892)

For as long as I could remember, I had always longed for my life to count for something. To make a difference. I was inspired by those who lived their lives for a Cause bigger than themselves. To live by noble virtues and enduring goodness for humanity.

I didn’t really know what it all meant at that time but as a child I would weep myself to sleep remembering a helpless stray dog I had seen being cruelly beaten. The image of a tired impoverished little boy helping his mother late into the night to sell noodles in a cart gnawed at my heart. I vowed I would make a change in the world when I grow up.

As a youth I was part of youth groups which sang with passion, “I have a destiny!” I sang those songs like fervent prayers from my heart. I wanted a destiny of a meaningful life. But I just didn’t know how.

This was something they just didn’t teach in schools. There was no curriculum which guided students to live the life of their highest calling. There was no manual which prepares one for service to humankind. Universities become centres for the mass production of students eager to enter the working life and get a validation of prestige rather than truly equipping them to become what the world needs at this time in our generation.

“I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for his or her own self, family or nation, but for the benefit of all mankind. Universal responsibility is the real key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace” ~ The 14th Dalai Lama

It’s been a long-winding journey. I’m all grown up now.  And I’m still not too sure if I have made all that much a change. And yet even today it always comes back to this one burning desire somehow still flickering inside. To continue to make this one life count for something.

It might seem strange that a housewife is delving into this topic of world peace which must surely belong to the realms of world leaders! But I sincerely believe that it remains as much my commitment and responsibility towards building a peaceful world especially in my capacity as a woman, a mother and a wife. These are some of my thoughts on what I understand world peace to mean, why it is an inevitable goal and how we can each align our lives to achieving this.

What does it actually mean to have peace in the world? What do you see in your mind when we talk of world peace? Is it just a picture of folks gathering together, hand-in-hand, prancing around a globe? It is just a Utopian dream?

I am sure our minds cannot even fathom at this point the significance of how 7 billion inhabitants, living on one earth, united in thought and vision even looks like. These are just some of the goals to strive for and establish in some measure to make this world a better place.

This is the Housewife’s perspective on how I understand peace within a global context to mean.

• Essentially world peace is when mankind learns to live in unity recognising that we are ultimately One human race. One family. One world.
• It ultimately means for humanity to recognise our truest nature and perfection which transcend the physical self.
• A peaceful coexistence which goes beyond mere tolerance of each other but a true understanding, compassion and reverence for all – regardless of race, religion, culture and socio-economic backgrounds.
• This would mean the elimination of national rivalries, racial animosity and prejudice, replacing it with racial amity, understanding and cooperation.
• The enormous energy dissipated and wasted on war will be consecrated to the development of the intellectual, moral and spiritual life of the entire human race.
• The gross accumulation of wealth and poverty will end as our maturing sense of compassion extends towards the well being of others.
• Education systems, schools and all learning centres will first and foremost teach principles of virtues, spiritual intelligence and that which promote the welfare of the human race.
• The management of world affairs would transcend political bickering among nations operating on self-interests.
• There will be an unprecedented flow of thoughts and contribution as women and girls around the world are afforded equal opportunities for education and nation building.
• It means the end of an era of oppression and exploitation of human beings.
• The earth’s resources would no longer be plundered for maximum profit and consumption of selected nations.
• Meaningful and long lasting relationships based on fidelity, trustworthiness and respect for one another.
• We would see the flourishing of homes and family life.
• Religion will cease to be the cause of conflict and division in the world but the true essence of religion will bring the hearts of mankind together.
• Peace is not just an absence of war but a state of mind. A tranquility from within each of us.

It might seem disheartening if we turn on the news and see the constant images of bloodshed and political wrangling happening throughout the world today. Peace seems like such a faraway concept at this hour in our world. Yet, I like to believe that as many are those who are warring, there are just as many and plenty more who are exerting all their efforts to tip that balance.

Because planted in the core of our beings is the longing for the sacred and for all that is good. One life. One effort. One thought. One moment. One vision. Together.

True peace and tranquillity will only be realised when every soul will have become the well-wisher of mankind. ~ Bahá’u’lláh

* A follow up post on how each of us can work and contribute towards world peace will be published shortly.  

* All photographs in this post were taken by my husband.

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