Have you ever asked yourself what it takes to become a Peace Builder? Would you like to become one? If you do, stay online because this workshop will give you some practical tools for starters.
Let's find out first what we mean by Peace Builder. A Peace Builder is like a hero who stands out because of his/her remarkable qualities and characteristics displayed toward others in extraordinary ways. Even though the people of every country have their own Peace Builders that are particularly dear to them, it matters little in what country, in what outfit, through what performance they display their actions. The only thing that matters is whether the actions will lead to peaceful outcomes in the community they are initiated in. There is no limit to one's imagination of who inspires us to do peace-building activities.
Let's find out who fits this description. In general, we can think of the multitudes of humanitarians who help people like nurses, doctors, fire fighters, politicians, performers, artists, scientists, educators, mothers, fathers, elders, children, counselors and spiritual leaders. Their services may remain unnoticed by most but never by those who benefit from them in one way or other. In a more specific sense, we can think of well-known Peace Builders like John F. and Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Joan of Arc, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Paul Gauguin and thousands more.
When you look at this list of Peace Builders, you may ask yourself what kind of extraordinary qualities and characteristics do they all have in common? Would you agree that they all show aspects of:
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Forgiveness
• Determination
• Courage
• Focus
• Imagination
• Follow-through
• Flexibility
• Patience
• Never giving up
Now you may wonder why do Peace Builders need such qualities? For one, they help in envisioning a task (imagination), determining a proper direction (focus), setting up a plan of action (follow-through) and sticking to its execution (patience, determination) no matter what (never giving up, courage). Secondly, they help in the face of unforeseen challenges (flexibility) and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, mistakes, even failures (forgiveness, compassion, integrity) while aiming at the goal. This is not a small accomplishment, is it?
The above list of qualities is not meant to be the only one. You may come up with other peace-building qualities that appeal to you more. In order to find out what they may be and how to apply them in your life, we invite you to go through the Eight Peace Building Steps outlined below.
Eight Peace Building Steps
Step 1:
Determine ten qualities and/or characteristics that are dominant in your personality. From the ten, let six of them be your good qualities and four of them the opposite. Take a sheet of paper and make two columns. Write the good ones under one column and the opposite ones under the other.Step 2:
Categorize each quality by using number 1 to 6 as qualifiers. Use number 1 for the most predominant good/opposite quality and number 6 for the least.Step 3:
Now take the two qualities with the number 1 (one good, one opposite) and say to yourself that you wish to develop the good one more and change the opposite one with the goal to transmute it into another positive quality.Step 4:
Now see yourself in a scenario - imaginary or actual - where you play your Number 1 good quality out as best as you know how. Ask to see as many details as possible. Pay attention to the imagery of the scenery. Where is it taking place? What kinds of people are involved in it? Who are they and how do they relate to one another? What feelings come up for you? What is the most significant message of this experience for you? When you are ready, make detailed notes about your experience.This step can be done with open or closed eyes, whatever works for you best. Experiment with it. You might want to do this step in nature or in a quiet place of your choice. Be daring and let your imagination fly!
Step 5:
Now imagine the same scenery. But this time see yourself displaying your opposite quality. How does this effect your actions, behaviors and attitudes? How do people relate to one another differently? How do you feel differently? What else has changed? What is the most important message of this experience for you? Write down as many details as you can remember and compare this experience with your first experience (good quality). What did you learn from playing the same scenery out in two different ways?Step 6:
Now reflect on how you can develop your good quality further with the idea of expanding it in your character. Ask yourself what do I need to do to expand, strengthen and deepen this quality within me? Come up with a plan and/or a time line. This can help you remember when and how to practice your good quality in your relationships and real life situations. Take notes about your progress.Step 7:
Next reflect on how you can transmute the opposing quality in your character. What do you need to do to change your attitudes, your behaviors, your beliefs to bring this about? Use our online workshop on changing beliefs if you want help on this part of your personality. Write down your observations.Step 8:
Now project yourself into the future and imagine yourself as a Peace Builder in Action. Imagine doing a task, working with others or alone in an occupation of your choice, imagine being on a journey and/or envisioning a future goal that really inspires you because it essentially inspires and helps others. In your vision, be sure to display any and/or all of your good qualities in whatever fashion beneficial to you, the people involved and the situation.
It goes without saying that whatever good qualities you are developing and whatever opposing characteristics you are trying to transmute, at the end you will blossom into a fully functioning Peace Builder! It doesn't matter when this will happen, it only matters that you believe it will happen in due time.
We would love to hear from you and your experience with this workshop. Please email us at workshop@centerforpeacethroughculture.org.