Promoting Peace

My favorite passage from the Dalai Lama's speech was when he said, "In some countries too much attention is paid to external things and very little importance is given to inner development. I believe both are important and must be developed side by side so as to achieve a good balance between them." I like it because it reminds us to have goals other than the acquisition of material goods. We need to be at peace with ourselves and who we are.

 My favorite passage from MLK's letter was when he said, "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct-action campaign that was "well-timed" in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation." I like this quote because it reminds people that there is not always an ideal time for some necessary actions. 

I think that there would be more peace if people tried to use a little more empathy when viewing a conflict. Just take that extra few moments to try to imagine the situation from the other person's point of view. You will probably still get angry with people who are blatantly wrong, but you may be less upset with people who have a legitimate argument.