On the 28th of January, the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence is recognized and celebrated. This day is recognized by the United Nations, and their theme for this year, is “Commitment to Peaceful Coexistence and a Safe, Inclusive World”.

Before exploring this topic more, let’s consider the words of one of our environmental heroes, the Dalai Lama. He says:

If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.
If you wish to know that you are safe, cause another to know that they are safe.
If you wish to better understand seemingly incomprehensible things, help another to better understand.
If you wish to heal your own sadness or anger, seek to heal the sadness or anger of another.

Reflecting on his wise words, we can consider how we can coexist peacefully and in harmony with Mother Nature.

 

Living in Harmony: People, Nature, and Peace

This International Day reminds us of something very important. It is a reminder and an encouragement to learn how to live peacefully with each other. However, peaceful coexistence is not only about “people” or about “others”. It is also about how we live with Mother Nature.

Let’s consider how Mother Nature gives us everything we need. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the land we live on – these are all gifts from nature. Further, forests clean the air. Oceans protect the planet. Animals and plants keep the world in balance. Without nature, human life would not exist. Yet, we often overlook this.

Today, our planet Earth is under pressure, and all living beings, as well as Mother Earth, need our help. Forests are cut down, rivers and seas are polluted, the climate is changing, while many species of fauna and flora are disappearing forever. These problems are not somewhere in the distant future – they are here, being lived and experienced by us, right now.

Living in harmony with nature does not always require big actions. Small steps matter, and we can start at home. For example, we can save energy by turning off lights and by respectfully using (and re-using) tap water. We can reduce waste by reusing and recycling. We can choose products that are friendly to the environment. We may also consider a respectful, plant-based diet. We can try to preserve green spaces in our cities and villages, and we can teach children to love and respect nature. Of course, we can also plant a tree – or many trees!

See, when millions of people take small steps, the impact becomes huge!

As encouragement for our actions, we can consider the words of our founder, Tenzin Ösel Hita:
We need more people taking care of the environment on behalf of our children, our children’s children, and all the generations to come.
We have borrowed this planet from the future. It is our duty to make sure that we can pass it on in a healthy state.

On this International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, we can pause and reflect.
What kind of world do we want to live in?
What kind of world do we want to leave behind for our future generations?
Let’s consider.

We can make a conscious decision today.
We can start taking action today!

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References:

Dalai Lama quote:  Goodreads
Images: Pexels