- Main Entry:
- 1peace
- Pronunciation:
- \ˈpēs\
- Function:
- noun
- Etymology:
- Middle English pees, from Anglo-French pes, pees, from Latin pac-, pax; akin to Latin pacisci to agree — more at pact
- Date:
- 12th century
1: a state of tranquility or quiet: as a: freedom from civil disturbance b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom peace>
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3: harmony in personal relations
4 a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
5—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3: harmony in personal relations
4 a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
5—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
— at peace
: in a state of concord or tranquillity
There are many views of peace, many windows from which peace might be glimpsed. Looking closely at the jest of the word does help to flavor it some for me, like the difference between Pepsi and Coke. Although both are lovely cola drinks, both are bubbly and refreshing, certainly we each choose one. One drink to claim as ours.
Peace.
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
Would it be possible to escape disquieting emotions? To make peace with myself is one thing but to escape the emotions all together, that seems almost immature. Life is messy.
People live here.
Enough said...
But yet, peace in our hearts and souls is so important, so much a part of every human being that many are willing to die for it.
Do I know this kind of peace? This peace that appears Pollyanna in nature, that seems foolish? Do I even want it?
And of course there is another nuance in the word:
3: harmony in personal relations
Simple, right?
Sure, if everyone you meet believes just like you do, behaves just like you find acceptable and for heavens sakes, if everyone actually LIKES you. That concept though, however nice, does not allow for the true messy of involving people again.
Real people have thoughts of their own.
They believe differently than one another and see the world differently too.
Is it necessary to have harmony if it requires you to sacrifice yourself?
Is that true harmony or is it just giving up who you are?
Peace.
This longing in my soul is often one of peace, of tranquility; however, I do not wish to loose my true self to achieve it. Are peace and happiness the same things?
In my home, it is loud and busy (five kids & a big dog) all the time but it is peaceful to me. (And easy peaceful too.) A visitor to my home might not agree, they might only see loudness and chaos. We, those of us who dwell here or who hang out here a lot (I have a teenager, which translates into I have her and her friends often) do not feel chaos but peace. This is our haven.
Can our measure of peace be different and the same?
And why not?
There are many views of peace, many windows from which peace might be glimpsed. Looking closely at the jest of the word does help to flavor it some for me, like the difference between Pepsi and Coke. Although both are lovely cola drinks, both are bubbly and refreshing, certainly we each choose one. One drink to claim as ours.
Peace.
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
Would it be possible to escape disquieting emotions? To make peace with myself is one thing but to escape the emotions all together, that seems almost immature. Life is messy.
People live here.
Enough said...
But yet, peace in our hearts and souls is so important, so much a part of every human being that many are willing to die for it.
Do I know this kind of peace? This peace that appears Pollyanna in nature, that seems foolish? Do I even want it?
And of course there is another nuance in the word:
3: harmony in personal relations
Simple, right?
Sure, if everyone you meet believes just like you do, behaves just like you find acceptable and for heavens sakes, if everyone actually LIKES you. That concept though, however nice, does not allow for the true messy of involving people again.
Real people have thoughts of their own.
They believe differently than one another and see the world differently too.
Is it necessary to have harmony if it requires you to sacrifice yourself?
Is that true harmony or is it just giving up who you are?
To thine own self be true.
Peace.
This longing in my soul is often one of peace, of tranquility; however, I do not wish to loose my true self to achieve it. Are peace and happiness the same things?
In my home, it is loud and busy (five kids & a big dog) all the time but it is peaceful to me. (And easy peaceful too.) A visitor to my home might not agree, they might only see loudness and chaos. We, those of us who dwell here or who hang out here a lot (I have a teenager, which translates into I have her and her friends often) do not feel chaos but peace. This is our haven.
Can our measure of peace be different and the same?
And why not?
Wow! Very heavy thoughts indeed. I was going to say yes that it can be different but then I thought of the Middle East, more specifically Palestine and Israel. I'm not so sure their measure of peace is the same and perhaps the crux of their problem.
ReplyDeleteA good rule of thumb is that you can have any kind of peace you want, as long as you aren't ruining someone else's peace to get it...
ReplyDelete