A Piece On Peace

Lately, I have been doing a lot of soul searching; went deep into my identity hurdle of growing up in a conflict zone, and experiencing a wide spectrum of WAR.

I have a lot to say about war and the troubled land I hail from, but in the spirit of looking at the other side of the coin.... here's my piece on Peace: 

Patience. 
Empathy
Action
Communication
Effort

Patience: 
Peace is change. And change isn't easy. It is painful. And it is NOT fast. It's slow and torturous and one must be patient in order to be heard fully, and one must be patient in order to listen fully. To listen with the heart.

Empathy:
The only way to reach across the aisle is BE in someone's shoes. Walk in their street. Live in their heart. Feel their feelings. Embody their pain. As an actress I've had to play my share of characters that are different from me. Sometimes even villains that I would instantly judge. I have learned that the way to reach and understand anyone is through the visceral practice of empathy. 

Action: 
Peace isn't just a word. It's an action. It's an every day choice to be in peace with another entity. Or with one's self, I might add. It's through action that we reach agreements, resolve altercations, relieve tensions. Actions speak louder than words. And peace, like love, isn't just a word. It's an action.

Communication:
As any couple learns at some point in their relationship -- communication is key. Miscommunication between people, because of our misconceptions, own narrative and personal biases -- often to false interpretation of the other. The words we choose and how we deliver them -- have consequences. We must take responsibility of our words, if we want to be understood by the other.  A world with clear and overly communicative people sounds like a more peaceful world to me, amiright?!?

Effort:
Peace is not going to 'just happen.' Whether between one's self, or between people, or between nations -- reaching and maintaining peace requires 100% effort. Both sides, no -- ALL sides need to put in 100% effort in order to achieve peace. If we put the responsibility of effort on the other -- we will never get to the promised land; to peace. 

The PEACE guide map: 
Empathy ---> Patience ---> Communication ---> Effort ---> Action

Easy, right? 
Start with empathy, follow with patience, start communicating effectively, put 100% effort and lastly take action.  It's a journey of five steps. A play in five acts. A musical symphony with five instruments; Make it worthwhile, make it grand, make it PEACEFUL.