The Neighborhood Writing Alliance is a sponsor of WBEZ’s upcoming “This I Believe: An Evening with Bob Edwards.” To that end, we ran a contest with our own writers to create their own “This I Believe” essays.
The top four essays selected by NWA were recorded by WBEZ, and will be posted all week on our blog. We’ll be posting both the audio and text versions of the essays.
Today we present NWA Writer David Nekimken’s essay. David is a writer with NWA’s writing workshop at the Hall Branch Library.
Listen to David Nekimken’s “This I Believe” essay here.
PEACE IS THE WAY
David Nekimken
This I believe: I believe we live amidst peace. Close your eyes and think of the good deeds you have done in the past couple of days. Having trouble thinking of examples?
Remember, good deeds are often the smallest everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness. Smiling, saying “Good morning,” and asking “How are you?” Helping someone unload groceries, holding open a door, making cookies for a friend. You might want to say them aloud or write them down to see how many there are. They are a natural part of who we are. Now, with just a slight shift of awareness, consider that each good deed is an act of peace, and every act of peace creates more peace in the world. With this awareness we can expand our good deeds and create more peace in the world. We are not just “do-gooders”; we are everyday peacemakers.
Not that long ago, I, like most of the people I know, believed all news stories were war, violence, trauma, tragedy, greed, and power. In 2003, I experienced a disconnection from the “anti-” messages of anti-war rallies. I felt it was important to be “for” something. I began to think, speak, and act in terms of peace, and to experience more peace around me (as well as within). Today I believe that peace is the way. I can find stories of peace in the newspaper every day. People working together to improve their lives. People striving to work together. People resolving conflicts in peaceable ways. People creatively expressing their individuality while celebrating their common connection.
Peace is not primarily the absence of conflict. It’s how we resolve conflict that is important. For example, restorative practices are one way to resolve conflict. This method emphasizes face-to-face meetings and open and empathetic communication such as a mediated session between an offender and a victim. This method promotes forgiveness: “I apologize. I acted greedily, only thinking of myself.” It promotes empathy: “When you said that, I felt hurt and angry. I also can imagine how you might have felt threatened by what I did earlier.” It promotes honesty: “I want to blame you for my unhappiness, but I know that my happiness is my choice.”
We have all the resources we need to live peace in all ways. Let’s practice expressing peace every day. Like: “Enjoy your magnificent day!”
