Which Are You Building: A World of Peace or Turbulence?
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Date Published: February 25, 2025
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A "Reincarnated Thought" About Peace and Turbulence inspired by the writings of E. H. Chapin, Harry Emerson Fosdick, and the “Life of Abraham Lincoln” as captured by Ida M. Tarbell.
Peter E. Greulich, February 25, 2025
Which Are You Building: A World of Peace or Turbulence?
Peace has no power to impose itself on us. This is not in its nature.
It is a common misconception that peace comforts by surrounding and enveloping us. Instead, peace arises from within and we then extend that peace outward into our tangible surroundings. Inner peacefulness manifests itself as an outward calmness.
Why is it that so many children seem so at peace with themselves and the world? Is there anything more peaceful than a newborn child cradled in its mother’s arms? Isn’t it because children are the purest of heart and the least tarnished by time? As we age, though, unless an individual remains right and pure within, they impede peacefulness and frustrate their ability to project calm.
Internal peace is rarely a naturally occurring phenomenon. Paradoxically, peace germinates, sprouts, and grows to maturity during the most chaotic of times. One of the traits exhibited by one of our history’s most revered and influential political sages was a defining, internal, personal peace; oftentimes, his peace only surfaced after the deepest of sorrows, long periods of incomprehensible internal conflict, and tremendous personal turmoil. Yet, he often comforted an entire nation with his healing, peaceful words. Abraham Lincoln proved that peace must be pursued with the expectation of achievement: it eludes the unworthy pursuer.
It is a common misconception that peace comforts by surrounding and enveloping us. Instead, peace arises from within and we then extend that peace outward into our tangible surroundings. Inner peacefulness manifests itself as an outward calmness.
Why is it that so many children seem so at peace with themselves and the world? Is there anything more peaceful than a newborn child cradled in its mother’s arms? Isn’t it because children are the purest of heart and the least tarnished by time? As we age, though, unless an individual remains right and pure within, they impede peacefulness and frustrate their ability to project calm.
Internal peace is rarely a naturally occurring phenomenon. Paradoxically, peace germinates, sprouts, and grows to maturity during the most chaotic of times. One of the traits exhibited by one of our history’s most revered and influential political sages was a defining, internal, personal peace; oftentimes, his peace only surfaced after the deepest of sorrows, long periods of incomprehensible internal conflict, and tremendous personal turmoil. Yet, he often comforted an entire nation with his healing, peaceful words. Abraham Lincoln proved that peace must be pursued with the expectation of achievement: it eludes the unworthy pursuer.
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Lincoln proved that a worthy pursuer must be pure in heart.
So this is one of the great orders of life: purity is a prerequisite of peace. Like an earth-bound, motionless, mountain lake captures the movements of the heavens, one’s heart reflects its peace and purity—or its lack thereof, outward from the depths of an individual’s soul into their surroundings. It is viewable by those who watch closely. A curious observer can distinguish between an inner peace … or a disturbing turbulence. |
A heart projects peace, purity and serenity, or turbulence into its surrounding environments.
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Looking into the reflective waters of those lacking peace is like looking into the depths of a dense, dark mirror as confused thoughts, irrational utterances, and senseless ramblings exude turmoil, disgust and conflict. These individuals espouse extremes that hinder open, civil discourse, and stop knowledgeable, inquiring discussions.
These individuals exist on the extremes. They attack anyone who seeks a peaceful coexistence on a respectful, balanced, and open middle-ground. Such individuals are nothing more than a distraction—historically-insignificant speed bumps … and this irritates them. So, they yell into the blackness seeking significance; and the ones who respond to their cries are those who resemble them, who mimic them to gain favor, or who agree with them in pursuit of personal gain or out of fear.
Everyone else sees, knows and wants to speak but few do, as these individuals who lack peace—who are closest to their inner turmoils than anyone else, do not want to let others communicate what they see in their tumultuous waters. They know that peaceful, reflective waters would reveal how insidiously dark their personal universes are so, they “stir the waters” themselves … hoping to blur or blind the perceptions of the community.
Unfortunately, such individuals fail to realize that lasting impactfulness is found in unifying, harmonizing, peaceful ways. The desire to lead a full life piloted by a peaceful soul is an oft-spoken desire of the many sages who have journeyed across the ages and within every culture of the world.
A sages’ true power is imbedded in their peaceful approach to others and to life in general. Even after their demise, these peaceful souls radiate a transcendent power that far outdistances any opposing, external force that may be brought to bear in opposition. As Lincoln proved, a single individual’s peaceful, internal serenity can transmit words of power and strength that can calm a whole nation of anxious souls.
Still, at times, these sages’ thoughts seem obtuse and all too distant, buried in a present chaos; but through the tenacity of a pursuer, the consistency of everlasting truths, and the persistency of time, a peaceful disposition will expose the untrue and call forth others with a peace-consciousness to stand in positive testimony alongside their fellow brothers, sisters, and likeminded sages.
In this way, peaceful sages strengthen and electrify their communities. They sharpen their brothers’ and sisters’ intellects. They brighten everyone’s expectations of the future. Such sages know “ ‘we’ shall overcome.” These individuals advance their beliefs calmly and broadcast their peace as a light for others.
The one human trait, though, that consistently silences a sage’s ability is apathy.
Strive therefore to be a builder of peace—not turbulence! Strive to be a sage! Be not apathetic!
Let your inner peace broadcast a surrounding, enveloping calm into the turbulent world around you!
- Peter E.
Everyone else sees, knows and wants to speak but few do, as these individuals who lack peace—who are closest to their inner turmoils than anyone else, do not want to let others communicate what they see in their tumultuous waters. They know that peaceful, reflective waters would reveal how insidiously dark their personal universes are so, they “stir the waters” themselves … hoping to blur or blind the perceptions of the community.
Unfortunately, such individuals fail to realize that lasting impactfulness is found in unifying, harmonizing, peaceful ways. The desire to lead a full life piloted by a peaceful soul is an oft-spoken desire of the many sages who have journeyed across the ages and within every culture of the world.
A sages’ true power is imbedded in their peaceful approach to others and to life in general. Even after their demise, these peaceful souls radiate a transcendent power that far outdistances any opposing, external force that may be brought to bear in opposition. As Lincoln proved, a single individual’s peaceful, internal serenity can transmit words of power and strength that can calm a whole nation of anxious souls.
Still, at times, these sages’ thoughts seem obtuse and all too distant, buried in a present chaos; but through the tenacity of a pursuer, the consistency of everlasting truths, and the persistency of time, a peaceful disposition will expose the untrue and call forth others with a peace-consciousness to stand in positive testimony alongside their fellow brothers, sisters, and likeminded sages.
In this way, peaceful sages strengthen and electrify their communities. They sharpen their brothers’ and sisters’ intellects. They brighten everyone’s expectations of the future. Such sages know “ ‘we’ shall overcome.” These individuals advance their beliefs calmly and broadcast their peace as a light for others.
The one human trait, though, that consistently silences a sage’s ability is apathy.
Strive therefore to be a builder of peace—not turbulence! Strive to be a sage! Be not apathetic!
Let your inner peace broadcast a surrounding, enveloping calm into the turbulent world around you!
- Peter E.