Peace as an Essential Ingredient of Life People Should Have - Assignment Example

Peace is an essential ingredient of life that people should have as they pursue their dreams and aspirations so that even in their busy lives, people would be able to go about their businesses respecting the lives of other people around them and in the process, creating peace in the community.

            According to Webster’s dictionary, peace is “A state of quiet or tranquility, freedom from disturbance or agitation, calm, repose, absence or cessation of war, general order and tranquility or freedom from riot or violence” (927). A peaceful heart and mind are often symbolized by a river that runs deep. It is believed that a body of water where the water seems not to move is deep. Therefore, such a state is often described as calm waters as opposed to turbulent waters which create a disturbing noise and an image of the strong current it possesses. Similarly, a person who has peace in his heart will be calm and quiet even during difficult times. In contrast, a person who is not peaceful will flee all at once to all directions, not knowing what to do in times of trouble. A peaceful person shows a confident character that even during times of chaos, does not affect the freedom of disturbance in his mind and heart. This is characteristic of what is called inner peace.

             When people are fighting against each other, there is violence. This is evident in the war waging inside the mind and hearts of people. when there is hatred, retaliation is a great possibility which often leads to fights either verbally or physically. Whatever way it is shown, violence is not representative of peace rather is the extreme opposite of it. As Webster describes it, peace is the absence of violence, riot, and war. For instance, in Israel today, it cannot be said that there is peace in the country because it is being attacked by its enemies and the nation is retaliating. There is chaos and war in the nation. However, the absence of violence does not always mean there is real peace. Going back to Israel, even during the past years when there was no fighting in the area, Israel was never at peace. This is because Israel has always been afraid of the attacks that might be thrown at the nation, knowing that there are people who want the nation banished from the map and this world. Thus, although Israel seemed to be free from disturbances, the thought that they are in danger always placed them in turmoil. It could then be concluded that peace is a condition wherein a person is confident about himself and others, making him able to deal well with everything and everyone, creating a world that is free from violence and war.