Living in a peaceful world, with peace in our homes, families, and relationships, is a desire shared by many, but it requires effort and patience. The family is the cradle where peace must be practiced and cultivated, but is this possible, considering so many challenges? Yes. This article provides information and ideas on promoting peace in our family and society.
Bernadete F. Leal
EUA
Living in a peaceful world, with peaceful homes, families, and relationships, is a desire shared by many. However, achieving this peace requires effort and patience, as it cannot be accomplished overnight. Instead, it needs to be cultivated and developed over time, like a seed that needs water and sunlight to thrive.
The foundation of peace originates within the home, with parents and children bearing crucial responsibility in creating a peaceful household, community, and, ultimately, the wider world. Regrettably, instances of violence, abusive relationships, disrespect, yelling, and aggression are all too prevalent within homes. When children are exposed to such behavior, they will likely replicate these patterns within society and their own relationships.
In cases where children exhibit aggressive behavior, it is probable that they are attempting to communicate a message or have been influenced by exposure to violent games, movies, or individuals close to them. Children are highly impressionable and absorb their surroundings like sponges, imitating the conduct they observe at home and learning from the people and environment around them.
One effective method for teaching children on the subject of peace is by demonstrating positive strategies for managing stressful situations and conflicts. An excellent technique to achieve this is through think-aloud exercises, where one verbally expresses their thought processes, emotions, and the steps required to resolve a situation. For instance, “I am feeling very upset at the moment; I need to take a walk or breathe deeply to calm myself down before dealing with this issue.” After explaining, action should be taken to set an example. This approach should be modeled frequently, with children encouraged to participate in practicing these skills.
The initial stage in achieving a peaceful resolution involves the determination to handle the problem constructively and empathetically. Although agreeing with the child’s perspective may not always be possible, committing to handling the situation without resorting to yelling, violence, anger, or belittlement is essential. In other words, with a composed demeanor and actions. If this seems unattainable, taking a break, taking deep breaths, or engaging in prayer until one feels prepared is advisable.
Jesus was an amazing model. Just think of the story when he calmed the sea, saying to the waters, “Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39). These words are actually an excellent mantra to say to ourselves when stressed.
Our ego can often obstruct our ability to remain composed, leading to frustration and anger toward our children. The issue becomes less significant if we shift our perspective to eternal life. It’s akin to viewing a town from atop a mountain and realizing that it appears less imposing from a distance. Unfortunately, we often overlook the progress of our children.
It’s important to remember that immediately resolving all issues with our children is not always feasible. Nevertheless, we can take the first step towards peace by acknowledging our child’s emotions without judgment. It’s about viewing the child with empathy and understanding that they are at a particular level of emotional development and that the situation can be overwhelming for both parent and child.
It’s essential to recognize that God and our spiritual guides constantly work with and through us, particularly during challenging times. Focusing on the blessings in our lives is crucial when confronted with difficulties. According to Chapter 9, item 7 of The Gospel According to Spiritism, “We’re well aware of how difficult life can be. It is composed of so many little difficulties that seem like pinpricks but that, repeated often enough, end up hurting badly. Still, if you look carefully at the duties, you’ve been called to fulfill and at the resources and support you’ve received, you have to admit that the number of blessings is far greater than the number of pains. “
To achieve external peace, we must prioritize cultivating inner peace. Educating children about the importance of peace and modeling peaceful behavior are vital steps toward this goal. As Albert Einstein stated, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.
About Author:
*Bernadete F. Leal, Master in Education and teacher in California, USA, has collaborated for over 25 years in disseminating Spiritism in the United States through articles, videos, workshops, and lectures.
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