(DON THOMPSON / iNFOnews.ca)

OPINION

It’s that time of year, once again. Every December of my 74 years, I have read banners proclaiming - or heard folks sing about - Peace on Earth. When I was young, I actually believed such a thing wasn’t just possible, it was likely.

Now, after decades of being slapped in the face by reality…at best I seem to manage a wry smile at the mention of world peace. Growing old is an unkind process in so many ways…but clearly the loss of childhood innocence is one of the most unkind cuts that makes us bleed our humanity.

I suspect that every generation since those dwelling in caves has tried earnestly to make things better for their children. We preach and read and sing to children about Peace on Earth. Then, almost every generation - with fingers crossed behind their backs - sends off those children to fight wars…often as teenagers. It might seem funny were it not so tragically dark…so evil.

One of the truths I discovered - evolving from child to young adult to old man - is that World Peace doesn’t have much of a chance as long as the most staunch believers are the powerless among us. The powerful…the rich…the old…those who rule…no doubt understand the concept of Peace on Earth…they just don’t truly believe in it…trust it…as they once did.

For eons, we - human beings - have invested heavily in our children…promoting a vision of world peace in their hearts and minds. We do so across every creed, every religion…every culture.

Then, because it is a process that we endured…we let children grow up…lose what we call that innocence…and let them embrace a reality more stark…more cynical. That wide-eyed optimism and enthusiasm for changing the world for the better with which we try so diligently to school our kids…seems to run low…unsupported by any source.

Perhaps our own disappointments…being struck down too many times by a reality that is often unforgiving and unfair…simply sucks the oxygen we so desperately need from our environment.

There aren’t many good wars. Wars are started by governments…countries…religions…sides. But they are fought by people…who are caught up in those artificial…man-made structures and entities. The people who fight…on any continent…on any side…bleed and die just the same.

We blame the governments, the cultures, the religions…the sides…but this is misplaced. The “us” and “them” that we inevitably celebrate…waving flags and demonizing the other side…start in every person’s heart.

We need to understand that peace isn’t simply the absence of violence…it can’t be that passive. Centuries have proven that strategy wrong. It might be convenient in some ways to divide the world by culture, ideology, religion, race, class, education, gender and identity…neat categories…but division isn’t good for humanity.

Rather, peace has to start with self-respect…quickly followed by respect for others…and not just those you’re comfortable with…those in your tribe…on your side. No, we have to respect those who are powerless…children, the poor, the elderly, those challenged physically and mentally and those less educated.

Peace actually starts with hope. We must have hopeful hearts…and not just as children who lack the power to stop wars…stop hatred…but as adults...who have power. We need to educate and give hope to our children - regardless of race or religion or identity - with greater eagerness than we build fighter jets to fight wars or build prisons to punish them as they become adults. 

Tell children stories…sing songs…let them see you behave so they understand and even celebrate our differences and the humanity that still connects us.

Then - and only then - will Peace on Earth become a reality.

— Don Thompson, an American awaiting Canadian citizenship, lives in Vernon and in Florida. In a career that spans more than 40 years, Don has been a working journalist, a speechwriter and the CEO of an advertising and public relations firm. A passionate and compassionate man, he loves the written word as much as fine dinners with great wines.

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