“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” Albert Einstein

We are reminded each day what a fragile line we walk between peace and conflict. War might look like it’s happening somewhere else, but daily we face inner conflict and turmoil that causes us pain and suffering.

Since our human nature is 98 percent emotional and 2 percent rational, conflict causes a physical feeling of anxiety and an emotional feeling of insecurity. When anxiety is experienced, we have a choice between reacting or reflecting. If we neglect to choose, our default mode is reactive. 

The reflective path takes commitment and intention. It cannot be established during the conflict; it is something we have to practice before the conflict takes place. When we are reflective we observe both our own behavior and others. We use that 2% of the rational mind that allows us to feel compassion and love and eventually forgiveness.

There is a lesson in the Course in Miracles that invites us to focus our thoughts: “Peace of mind is clearly an internal matter. It must begin with your own thoughts, and then extend outward. It is from your peace of mind that a peaceful perception of the world arises.” The lesson invites us to notice our fearful, anxiety-producing thoughts and offending personalities or events and repeat a new thought: I could see peace instead of this. 

Dr. Wayne Dyer stated it best, “How do you get world peace? You get world peace through inner peace. If you’ve got a world full of people who have inner peace, then you have a peaceful world.”