This article is provided by kind permission of Bob Kezer. This article MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED without the permission of the author.

Deciding Peace

By Bob Kezer

Peace, whether in our homes or on our planet, is a product of choice - an environment conditioned by those present. It cannot be forced, imposed, or expected to flourish before its time: thinking so confuses the law of cause and effect. Whatever is used to bring about a new social order remains a part of us.

The idea of global peace is so big that many people are unsure how to approach the subject. As only one out of almost 6.5 billion, few think they can participate or that their leaders can effect change. But while difficult to discern in the chaos of today’s world, the responsibility for our planet does reside with the individual.

Reducing scale helps: we know the energy in a home reflects the people living there. If everyone has matured to where their lives are dominated by the divine traits of love, such as empathy, patience, compassion, forgiveness, and good will, then peace will prevail. How could it not? Violence is no longer an option.

These people base their decisions in love, not fear. Rather than an endpoint, this maturity becomes our baseline – the minimum level of conduct needed to support our next evolutionary state. Peace flourishing in this environment does not happen from duty, rules, or treaties, but is rather the natural result of a higher order of being.

Should people still grounded in the human constructs of fear, such as hate, anger, revenge, selfishness, and intolerance enter into this family, the energy in the home becomes tainted: no longer is it all love. Violence now becomes possible: as the ratio of fear to love increases, it becomes more probable.

Spiritual or ethical progress requires a willingness to grow: it cannot be forced. Attempting to do so fuels anger, violates free choice of will, and negates the attractiveness of love: the cycle is maintained. Feeding upon itself, fear will eventually consume all who allow it to remain in their minds.

While only love generates more that it takes, it must be extended first. People must experience love - both the giving and the receiving - before they will choose it over fear. This is a dynamic process: one of intention. Those who decide to embrace it will bond together in strength; those who do not will fall apart divided.

Moving forward in crisis, the middle ground will shrink. People based in love will strengthen: their growth, now and later, is endless - they are universal reality. Those remaining embroiled in fear will harden even further, becoming ever more desperate in their attempts to survive: for them, there is no future - they are unreal to the universe.

As each side becomes more defined, those coming of age will better see their options. For them the choice will be to continue the legacy of fear, or to embrace the healing effects of love. While many are engulfed by war, few in truth want it: eventually love will prevail, tipping the scale in our favor and giving peace its first true chance.

But while this is possible, it is not ordained. To abolish war, we must evolve - person by person until our race finds footing at its next level of consciousness. Procrastination retards progress: action must replace intent. This is our world, we each have responsibility, and every decision counts: how do you choose?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Returning to college in 2002, Bob earned degrees in International and Religious studies from the University of Oregon. Working to become bilingual and also present in Spanish, he writes and speaks on God, religious tolerance, and our tools for abolishing war. His book, God Refined: A Proposal for Peace, (http://stores.lulu.com/bobkezer) will be available March 1st. He has one son and lives in Eugene, Oregon.