"A house divided against itself cannot stand."
- Abraham Lincoln
Keeping the peace is an important aspect of any thriving organization, household or community of people. Without peace, the possibility for disorder, chaos and destruction increases. The larger the group, the greater the challenge to keep the peace and allow for progress and growth. We currently see this at a national and global level. Knowing it is difficult for us to evoke peace and compromise within our government or any other large organizations we may be affiliated with, it can be more productive for each of us to focus on maintaining the peace within our smaller groups.
People may not be able to change the direction of the large organization they are part of, but they can make their best effort to foster meaningful and productive relationships within the team or department. Just because stuff may be messed up at the top (or other areas), does not mean it has to spread everywhere. We have to be willing to do our part to keep the peace within our own environment. We have to be willing to function as a team and work toward achieving success through peaceful and productive interactions.
Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels
The same can be said of family or household dynamics. Not everyone will be on the same page all the time. Disagreements and arguments happen. It is our responsibility to prevent the argument from escalating into a fight if we intend to keep the peace. We have to communicate. We have to treat our words as instruments of understanding and compromise instead of weapons we use to attack or belittle others. Taking the high road may be a pride swallowing exercise of restraint, but it can also help pave the way for a brighter path forward with less friction in the environment.
Keeping the peace does not come easy. It can become more effortless for groups who are able to communicate by seeking to reason with others. It requires a group effort. The more people who can learn to put their egos aside for the benefit of the group, the better off everyone in the group will be. Every group is different, but for the cohesive and successful group, the approach is usually the same. Respect. Understanding. Compromise. These qualities provide for a successful environment and can help us keep the peace.
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