Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.” Peace seems to be very elusive but the reality of it is, it is attainable. Gandhi was able to pinpoint the root of the problem: love of power. From cavemen to kings, wars have been fought all for the love of power.
After the First World War, the League of Nations was established with its primary mission being to maintain world peace. However, after 26 years, it failed to prevent conflict when the Axis powers withdrew from the league and started the Second World War.
The United Nations was established in 1945 to replace the League of Nations to promote international cooperation, maintain peace and security, and promote human rights1.
If one were to look at it though, international organizations cannot dictate one person to show love and compassion to another human being. Our faith, however diverse it may be, may be the key. The Dalai Lama believes that “love and compassion are the moral fabric of world peace.2”
Our moral principles serve as our compass to do good, and to find contentment and happiness in simple things in life. Being a member of the “human family of 7 billion people”, we need to make conscious decisions that would benefit our family and our one and only home.
Dreaming of World Peace? Why not? It is definitely attainable. Start with being at peace with yourself and with simple acts of kindness. Let the ripple effect of each act reach far off places as you spread love and compassion, one day at a time.
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations
This article appears in the November 2015 issue of TLA Blaze. Click here to view or download a copy of this newsletter.