"The family is the foundation of society for this reason too: because it enables its members in decisive ways to experience peace. It follows that the human community cannot do without the service provided by the family. Where can young people gradually learn to savour the genuine "taste" of peace better than in the original "nest" which nature prepares for them? The language of the family is a language of peace; we must always draw from it, lest we lose the "vocabulary" of peace. In the inflation of its speech, society cannot cease to refer to that 'grammar' which all children learn from the looks and the actions of their mothers and fathers, even before they learn from their words."
Pope Benedict XVI
Word Day of Peace 1/1/08
Did you notice the last sentence of this quote? Pope Benedict refers to the grammar of peace as that "which all children learn from the looks and actions of their mothers and fathers, even before they learn from their words." The "vocabulary of peace" is not just in words. I feel this is a profound statement to remember. The concept continues throughout our lives as we continue to affect all people by "our looks and actions," not just our words. Whether we smile, frown, grimace or look loving at another person, we are transmitting an emotion.
Can I always have control of my emotions? I certainly can't seem to accomplish that at all times. Maybe there are people that can. What I can do is continue to practice the idea of the "vocabulary of peace," to learn more about peace, love, forgiveness, compassion and all the positve emotions that I would like to be able to share with other people, and especially the children.
Photo: Grandson Henry - 2/21/08
Henry is looking at an Ultrasound photo of his new little sister that is to be born sometime around the end of May or June.
3 comments:
What a lovely thing to think about, as I feel my own baby kicking away in my belly.
Henry is go beautiful, and this is such a wonderful photo of him! I love that, even at a sad time, life can give us little glimpses of happier things to come.
--Stacie
This is a very important quote. I actually heard a study about the damage that negative looks do. I seem to remember eye rolling as one of the deepest felt expressions.
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