Sometimes achieving peace without begins within. It begins with reconciling our heart with our head, facing head on those things we might rather avoid. It means taking a personal inventory of our behaviors and choices; making amends with those we have hurt or been hurt by. It means meeting others where they are and as they are… choosing to forgive and let go from a place of love, not ego; from a place of compassion, not resentment, without an expectation of reciprocity.
In celebration of International Day of Peace, recognized on September 21st, I’m curious to know and ask…
How do you achieve peace in your own life? What role can personal accountability, forgiveness and compassion play in achieving peace with others? How can holding space for another and/or opening a dialogue from a place genuine respect, create a bridge to deeper understanding and acceptance? As you inventory you own inner life, are there areas where you need to make peace, whether with yourself or others?
Sharon E. Reed [Blog] 
You are correct. Making amends, owning our parts, and putting compassion first. Choosing relationship over “being right.” But when all that has been done, and there is still no peace with the other person, there comes a time for letting go…knowing you’ve done all you could. And in that place, allowing yourself to grieve – and experiencing all the emotions that go with grief – is the first step. When that is complete, and the loss is accepted, then you can find peace again and move on.
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Well said! Creating space for understanding is an essential first step in creating deeper understanding or letting go in peace, though as you point out, it’s not always possible. At those times, all we can do is let go in love, work through the grief, and begin to move forward again.
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To err is human, to forgive is divine. Hence, the simplest human act of forgiveness is so difficult.
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For me, more challenging than forgiveness, is simply learning to let go and allow space for the inevitable changes that life brings.
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Reblogged this on Sharon E. Reed and commented:
“Sometimes achieving peace without begins within.” On this International Day of Peace, I invite to you to consider what role personal accountability, forgiveness and compassion play in achieving peace with others? How can holding space for another and/or opening a dialogue from a place genuine respect, create a bridge to deeper understanding and acceptance? How do you achieve peace in your own life?
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