Reflection

How Will You Tilt the World Toward Peace?

Retirement Reflections

On January 1, 2016, I sat in this exact spot in front of this same fireplace, took a deep breath, and began my first blog post. It was a New Year’s Resolution. The last one that I ever made…or at least kept.

Today as I sit here, I am focussed on a ‘Word of the Year’ (affectionally known as WOTY). I know, WOTYS have never been my thing before. But this year, a word found me.

My word is ‘peace.’ My plan is to take a few minutes each day to reflect on this word. In my reflections, I might ponder the title question. Or think of one simple thing that I could do that day to bring more peace into the life of another.

Today my reflection is this blog post. Even though some research reveals that publically announcing your goals makes you less likely to achieve them, I’m doing it anyway.

Peace. It’s an important word. And one that deserves our reflection. By sharing this with you, I hope to create a list of simple actions that can bring more peace to others as well as to myself.

How will you tilt the world toward peace?

‘Wishing you and your family a new year filled with peace, joy and love.

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

99 thoughts on “How Will You Tilt the World Toward Peace?”

  3. Happy New Year Donna. Yes, I agree about focusing attention on Peace. I commented on someone’s FB post today about Archbishop Desmond Tutu, that it is beholden upon us to honour this legacy of his (one of many) and to work towards Peace in thought word and deed. In tidying up my study this afternoon I came across a scrap of paper on which I’d written ‘no justice no road to peace’ .. which is something I’m going have to contemplate and maybe exhort this in one way or another –
    In any event, we can each raise the vibration for Peace. And yes, spend a few minutes each day in reflection. From the microcosm to the macrocosm. from the individual to the collective .. each influencing the other.
    Onwards –

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    1. Hi, Susan – Thank you for your insightful remark. It is because of the comments that I write my blog posts. No matter how brief or how lengthy, comments are discussions with friends that help to expand and clarify my own thinking. I also find Desmond Tutu’s words to be thought-provoking. “Peace without justice is an impossibility” … so true!

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      1. Did Desmond Tutu actually say that?That’s amazing! I’m not surprised though. I agree, others’ (where does that apostrophe go) comments can be very clarifying and perceptive. I’m always so grateful when a comment does that for me. Stay safe and we’ll Donna. Namaste 😄

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      2. Yup, that quote is attributed to Desmond Tutu in numerous places (often in a longer form of which these are the final words).
        Nerd alert: Others’ is the possessive plural of others (so you were correct).
        I remain incredibly grateful that our blogs found each other!

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    1. This is so true, Bernie. During the lost copy of weeks I found my thoughts continually focussed on ‘peace’. Although I had never been a WOTY person before, I felt as though this word had chosen me. I agree that the word ‘peace’ has so many different levels. I look forward to seeing where these reflections lead.
      Wishing you a very happy and peaceful 2022!

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  6. Donna,
    The world is such a mess right now and could use a little peace. I know I’m not capable of being impactful in a large way, but I have found that acts of kindness and a smile can go a long way in the lives of others. Peace be with you and Richard in 2022! Joe

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  7. I think peace has to start from within. Lately I’ve been doing deep breathing and visualization. Maybe 20 minutes or so before I even get out of bed. So far, so good.

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    1. Hi, Donna – I completely agree with peace starting from within. Breathing and visualization are excellent tools for helping us get to our inner peace. i begin and end each day in quiet meditation/reflection. I find that It makes a very positive difference. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!

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  8. Peace is a wonderful word to live by, for this or any year. Great choice, Donna! And I think it starts with personal peace. Anyone I have ever known who has deliberately caused me hurt or harm has been hurting inside themselves. And this has been true for me as well. I continue to work on my personal peace for my own selfish reasons, and so that I don’t cause any more harm to others.

    Deb

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  9. In a world that seems to revolve around social media and the latest trending hashtag, our peace is in jeopardy when we pick up our phones or turn on our computers. Guarding my peace is something I had to learn how to do several years ago. I realized I had the power to stop allowing others to steal my peace by not responding to their negativity. I guard my peace each day. I’m happy you have chosen peace as your word, Donna. It’s so easy to attain for those who welcome it into their life. Happy New Year to you and Richard! xo

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    1. What a powerful comment, Jill. Thank you so much. “Peace is easy to obtain for those who welcome it into their life.” I will remmber these words and use them in my reflections.
      I recently received my kindle copy of ‘Searching for Home’ and greatly look forward to peacefully reading it by our fireplace!

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  10. Hi Donna – your thoughts are perfect and I must get into the day to day habit of exercise breathing and other things … but peace, understanding others, and being compassionate always resonate in my mind …

    Also I so agree – the commenters keep me going and I learn so much about so many other aspects of life, beyond my own … such an interesting medium … blogging is a growing puzzle … so many subjects slot into place and that knowledge grows … my interests increase.

    Cheers to you and Richard and all the best for a happy 2022 – Hilary

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    1. Hi, Hilary – Being compassionate and understanding toward others is a wonferful way to live…and I believe is the road to peace.
      I am very grateful for this little corner of the blogosphere. I too have learned so much here.
      Wishing you a safe, happy and healthy 2022!

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  11. Donna, the opposite of peace is discontent, and that is exactly how I felt toward the end of the year. Those feelings don’t sit well with me, so my focus will be to regain a peaceful state of being through MORE. More quiet time, more focus on fitness, more creative pursuits – all of the things that create Peace within me. Collectively, we all make the world a better place when we are at peace within ourselves. Great word and even better life goal! Happy New Year!

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    1. Hi, Suzanne – I am sorry to hear that you felt discontent during the end of this past year.
      With the long drawn-on pandemic, and a constant stream of negative news headlines, it can be difficult to maintain our inner peace. Quiet time, fitness, creative pursuits (as well as friends, family and reading) all built my inner peace. Oh, and the granddog just came in for a cuddle…that helps too!
      Wishing you MORE peace, joy and contentment in 2022!

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  12. Big question, Donna! And a hard one to answer if we all think “well, I’m too small and unimportant to make a difference”. Lots of small acts can come together to have big effects. You made me think of a Sunday School song which hasn’t popped into my head for years –

    In this world of darkness, we must shine,
    You in your small corner,
    And I in mine.

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    1. Hi, Anabel – I just Googled your Sunday School song. ‘This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” It’s so true. If we all turned away from the Gloom and Doom of the media around us, and trusted that we can each personally make a difference, we can indeed tilt the world toward peace. Wishing you and John a very happy 2022!

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    1. Hi, Barb – I am a big believer in baby steps…and in belief itself. It’s like doing a long hike – one step at a time, reading a difficult book – one page at a time, or taking on any challenging task by breaking it up into managing parts. It is absolutely incredible where the smallest of steps can lead!
      Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2022!

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  14. That is such a great WOTY, Donna. And, I love your plans for a daily reflection. When we consider all of the obstacles to peace becoming a global reality, I think we forget that we can still find, create, and reflect peace individually… and that can make a huge difference to ourselves and each other. Peace be with you and Richard in 2022… and beyond.

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    1. Hi, Janis – I 100% believe that we can find peace individually and help be the light of peace for others. Just taking the first small steps makes a huge difference. This past Spring, I began a 10-minute workout each morning. Just 10 minutes first thing each day (so I could not talk my self out of it). I have kept this up steadily. The difference (at least to me) has been remarkable. And the routine is so firmly established it takes almost no effort al all! I am hoping that my daily reflections on peace will now take root in a similar way.

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  15. What a wonderful word to choose, Donna. Mine is abundance, not necessarily as in material things (although more money would be nice) but also in things like peace and joy and friendship. Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  16. Happy New Year, Donna and what a perfect WOTY. I think we all need to find Peace in all aspects of life and it is such a meaningful way to live our life. I think I have settled on my WOTY. I wasn’t going to choose one but like you, the word came to me. You’ve inspired me to write my post now. Peace to us all in 2022. xx

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  17. The world is a scary place right now. I think the biggest threat to ‘peace’ is people’s paranoia – and the disinformation which pours from Governments and social media. This is what makes so many people angry and distrusting of others and other countries. If daily reflection and a ‘peace’ focus helps us to take time to question things more instead of making instant judgements and dwelling on the negative, then that has got to be a good thing. To a Peaceful New Year !!

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    1. HI, Paul – Thank you so much for dropping by, and for your insightful comment. I agree that paranoia is a threat to peace (and to so many others things), as are disinformation, hasty judgements and dwelling on the negative, I believe that reflection, stepping away from the madness, and taking small steps toward peace for ourself/others is more achievabale than most realize. Wishing you a happy and healthy year ahead.

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  18. Pingback: Just ‘Be’ – Living Life Your Way in 2022 – Lifestyle Trend Reports

  20. A word and world we should all strive for. It’s funny that you mentioned that research about resolutions because I just finished reading a blog post with research saying the opposite. I am a goal setter, but I tend to keep them private and find that works better for me.

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  23. A great WOTY Donna and one that should be good to hold onto in uncertain times. I hate seeing conflict in the world and on social media – it unsettles me and reminds me that we need to be extending kindness and grace wherever we can in these difficult times – and that’s our way to contribute towards peace. My WOTY comes up on the blog tomorrow (less deep than yours!) xx

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  24. What was your NY resolution in 2016 that you made and kept? Starting a blog? Happy sixth blogging anniversary, Donna!

    Like you, I had a word for this year approach me this morning as well. So bizarre. Mine is “joy”. I hope it will become prominent in 2022 – for me and for everyone else. Peace is a good one. It has many connotations and interpretations. May it inspire you in 2022.

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  27. A beautiful post, Donna. Turning the calendar page is often a time of reflection. Last year, part of our conversation was how we often do not choose a word….a word chooses us. You describe this well, again, here. “Peace” is a wonderful word on many levels. Reflecting back to “…you and your family a new year filled with peace, joy, love.”❤️

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  29. Love your word Donna! Not sure why I didn’t get an email telling me you posted — but I saw it through Sue’s post. I’ll need to figure that out. What a great word — peace — one of my favorite. I wish you a year filled with peace and the courage to do what you are given to do to tilt the world toward peace.

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  30. Donna, I think we can all tilt toward peace in our own small way. A worthy goal! Finding peace means finding contentment first. Once content then your being is flooded with endorphins and all that feel-good stuff which leads to joy, which walks hand-in-hand with getting to peace. Reading and listening to fewer media can also usher peace into our hearts. It’s a pleasure to know you and I wish you and Richard a fab 2022, one filled with safety, love and of course peace!

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    1. Thanks, Bernadette – It is Day 3 of my WOTY and I have (quite charcteristically) jumped in head first. I am currently reading both ‘Peace in the Age of Chaos’ (Killelea) and ‘Peace is Every Step’ (Thich Nhat Hanh). Fingers crossed I will have them read in time for our next What on Your Bookshelf. If not, there’s always February’s edition. 😀
      I just saw a message for your most recent post and am off to check it out now.

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  34. Donna, thank you for sharing your WOTY and this blog (one of my favorites). How will I tilt the world toward peace? Like Donna from retirementconfidential and Deb from TheWidowBadass, it starts from within for me. i need to maintain peace in the “storm” and keep myself from creating a storm when peace is at hand. So often it’s my thoughts that need to be quieted in the direction of peace. Next, extend that peace to one other whether it’s with a helping hand, companionship, a smile. My WOTY is sustain. I think of my surroundings and lifestyle that contribute to my well-being (and peace) and I want to maintain that which gives me sustenance. Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you so much, Mona – You just made my whole day (actually much longer). I greatly appreciate your kind words. As I mentioned in the comment above, I am currently reading Thich Nhat Hanh. From what I’ve absorbed so far, he completely agrees with you (and Deb and Donna RC) about the importance of first focussing on peace within and then extending it outward. Being true to my nature, I am also simultaneously reading ‘Peace in the Age of Chaos.’ Although this book focuses on the larger global picture, it stresses the importance of our individual journeys. The author, Steve Killelea, also ties peace together with sustainability (hitting both of our WOTYs), emphasizing that peace is at the heart of a sustainable future. To him, the factors that create highly peaceful societies also make the necessary conditions for sustainability.
      Now back to my repetitive plea to be able to connect with you on social media. I Googled M2Muse today and found a Twitter account by that name. I was so excited until I discovered that M2Muse is now ranked No 38 in the world in DJ Mag Top 100 clubs. Sigh!

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  35. While I decided to not do a WOTY this year (nothing called to me), I am enjoying hearing about everyone else’s. And trying not to do a Compare & Despair when they’ve picked something brilliant. I’m looking forward to how you bring it to life and make us all think how we can tilt the world just a little bit.

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    1. Happy New Year, Pat. It is great to hear from you. I agree that WOTYs are not for every person or every year. You are exceptionally skilled at goal setting, so it makes sense not to force-fit a WOTY if nothing has called to you. For a while now, I have contemplated how we can individually and collectively tilt the world toward peace – but these thoughts have required more structure and consistency. So far, I am immersing myself in great books on this topic and having fun with it. Honeymoon Period? Stay tuned to find out. I’m hopping over to your site now. See you there!

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  36. I am so happy you kept that New Year’s Resolution back in 2016, Donna. I have loved reading your blog and getting to know you over these past six years. I am deeply touched by the beautiful simplicity of your WOTY and the way that you have chosen to implement it. If all of us could ask ourselves this question each day, what a difference that would make. Today I will tilt the world toward peace by smiling at everyone whose paths I cross and by encouraging a new coworker who is feeling slightly overwhelmed. Thank you for the inspiration this morning.

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  37. Great question. I’d say that I’ll tilt the world toward peace by not putting up with chaos. Congrats on your blog, btw. It’s amazing how quickly time goes by once you commit to writing a blog. So glad you decided to write one.

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  40. Happy blogging anniversary, Donna. Peace is a beautiful word. I’m late to post my comment as I’ve been pondering your question. I feel peace with myself and have been taking small steps to hopefully bring more peace to others (e.g. walk with a senior, food drive). I hope to do more. I look forward to learning more about your list of simple actions that can bring more peace to others as well as to yourself.

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    1. Hi, Natalie – I greatly appreciate you taking the time to ponder thus question. It is definitely worth pondering. Your commitment to walking with seniors, and spearheading a local food drive are all steps towards peace and kindness Thank you for doing this

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  41. Happy blogging anniversary, Donna. You’ve done a great job blogging and it shows that you enjoy it immensely. Peace is a big word, but I’m sure you will break it into pieces to make it more manageable. I like Natalie’s idea of being at peace with yourself. I’m interested in seeing how this word will unwind for your this year. I’ll reveal mine on Jan. 26 on WQW.

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  42. Donna, there is such tranquillity with your word choice for this year. I can not see why announcing it here will make it less likely for you to adopt for yourself every day. Wishing you a blessed year filled with peace and harmony! hugs xx

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    1. Hi, Annika – You know research, it usually can prove anything that we would like it to. I am finding that sharing, along with my journaling, along with some other strategies that I have in store, are indeed keeping my accountable to my WOTY. Then again, it is only January 9th. 😀

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  46. Pingback: WOTY REFLECTIONS – Retirement Reflections

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