Finding peace in a time of war

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

This blog is around personal development and looking at the beauty of diversity. I’m glad that many people read this; it shows we are fortunate to have moments to reflect on how we can improve ourselves and make things better around us.

Unfortunately, these are not things all of us are able to do. The invasion of Ukraine will affect thousands of innocent people. These are human beings, living their lives just like you and I do. They have little say in the geopolitical battles taking place around them. And yet they will be the ones that suffer the most. It is hard not to feel desolate around the fact war can happen in the blink of an eye, when it will bring much suffering.

Where does that leave those of us who are not directly affected? Well, I think it’s legitimate to feel troubled by the news. It is acceptable to feel sadness, anger or any other emotion. We are human beings, and our experience is shaped by emotions. However, with such a large event outside of our control, what can follow is a sense of helplessness – we are not the direct contributors to the powerplays of west vs east, and it is hard to find direct actions which will change the situation.

Is the answer to simply say we cannot do anything? Perhaps we ought not to concern ourselves with the issues of others that do not affect our lives. Indeed, I believe this is the answer for many things. There are many thoughts and worries which make us unhappy. These things can be let go of, and we can live happier and healthier. However, when searching my own feelings, such a solution feels wrong here. A crisis is happening, and by ignoring it we only legitimise the actions of aggression.

Attention is a form of currency, and if we pay little attention to what is happening, we make the struggles of others invisible. Furthermore, we all have roles to play to see our own leaders take action to stop an injustice. If people do not speak about the invasion of Ukraine, few will know it is even happening. Politicians will move on, and articles will be relegated to the back pages. The concern for the suffering of others will be pushed down in our subconscious.

With these raging emotions, how do we find peace? I cannot promise you an easy answer. In fact, an emotional reaction is proof that we really are human. Nonetheless, I find comfort in reframing how I view the world and the life I live.

Many things are outside of our control – indeed it could be us who is caught up in a war a week from now. However, there are many things we can control. This includes how we feel, think and react to the situations we face in life.

Do we push away negativity, or do we accept it as part of the human experience? Do we focus on the fear of the fragility of life, or do we celebrate that we are alive, whole and healthy today?

After all, in life, bad things happen. They make us upset, and it is right that we mourn them. But there is also an opportunity for us to reassess what it means to live. Only then can we appreciate the gift that life gives us.

The choice is yours.

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