Peace blossom

Two days before Christmas and this cactus blooms. Out of a seemingly thorny and tough plant whose existence is shaped by an arid environment and extreme fluctuations in temperature, from sweltering to freezing within the same day, this fragile trumpet of exquisite delicacy is born.

This flowering, coming as it did at this time of year, causes me to contemplate on the Christmas message of “peace and goodwill to all”.

If it is to happen, it will depend upon the ability of people to remove themselves from their comfort zones and engage more willingly with issues that are discomforting. Only then are the conditions created that lead to a blossoming of love, compassion and forgiveness.

Two neighbours are now locked in an argument over the felling of trees along a portion of road that is my driveway. There is justified pain and anguish for both parties. Having designed, surveyed, constructed and maintained this section of road, even I was initially devastated by the visual, destructive impact.

Now, though, I only want peace to descend again upon this land.

Now, though, I only know that for it to happen I must be willing to sit with all my neighbours, talk openingly, face to face, of where I hurt, allow them to listen to me and then listen to them and allow their story to be told. Only then, will the possibility of a lasting peace begin to unfold.

Oh, it is so much easier to remain in anger and pain then to “face” the discomfort of being in dialogue to birth a natural justice.

But try we must because not only does our individual health depend upon it, the whole world depends upon it.

I offer another portion of a letter from Africa as a reminder of what can be accomplished through this approach.

From Bev:

“In these last months in Pretoria
I have witnessed some very different lenses
In the Tree of Life workshops.
We have listened to the sort of stories that no one ever wants to hear:
stories of pain and horror inflicted on Zimbabweans by fellow Zimbabweans.
We have sat whilst grown men have cried
at the hugeness of the torment experienced.

Over the past few weeks we have witnessed
stories of such courage, and hope and endurance
of love and loyalties and friendship,
that we have been awed and humbled 
by the greatness of the human spirit;
have watched it soar above the horizon
and celebrate the stars.
 
We have watched people who have been separated and isolated
by violence and intimidation,
speaking of love and friendship
forming networks of support,
gathering their strength
and moving before us,
leading the way past the power of a dictator
who has separated them with fear
and gather together – a new gathering dream:
 
A home where we stand together in peace.”

May this Christmas be the beginning of a flowering of peace for all living beings.