Stories

When I was younger, I thought the best way to live peacefully was to never disagree with anyone. Disagreement could lead to conflict and conflict could be uncomfortable and messy. As I grew older, I realized that never disagreeing wasn’t the best path. Voicing my concern (for myself or others) was sometimes the only path that led to change. Sometimes, to be a peacemaker, I had to make my disagreements known. Negative peace (the absence of conflict or violence) had defined my approach to problem-solving. I needed to start striving for human flourishing in the presence of justice and equity: positive peace.