Peace is the fuel for Action.

Doesn’t sound quite right, does it?

We think of action as being fuelled by kinetic energy and the unleashing of power. I agree, and at the same time hold that energy and peace are absolutely linked.

When I watch an athlete in action I am always impressed by the fluidity of movement. Without harshness or friction, the body seems to flow, as if the exterior masks the amazing workings of an inner engine. The athlete’s body may show signs of exertion, but there is no angst in the movement. Professional athletes exude harmony of movement, not the discord you would see in my middle-aged attempts!

I recall an elite athlete telling me that one of the worst pieces of advice she was given was to “get angry”. She reflected that when she was angry in her sport, her movement lacked precision and control, and there was wastage of energy, which resulted in poorer performance, and negativity of thought.

I can relate this to my days of learning to scuba dive. It was noticeable that a diver who was not at peace in the water would use up their air supply at a much faster rate and thus be a danger to themselves and others. 

I think that the notion of being at peace, in order to be effective, translates into all facets of life. When I use the word “peace”, I am in no way referring to apathy or stagnation. In fact I would contend that finding peace in the circumstance of today is essential to bring about the change of circumstance for tomorrow.

A generation ago a woman named Rosa Parkes became world-famous after sitting on a “whites only” bus seat. Her disobedience led to a nation-wide movement which went onto claim equal rights for black Americans. When asked why she did it, she replied, “I was tired.”  Leaving aside the interpretation of her words, I found myself moved by its simplicity and the way they were offered. No tirade, no anger or hate, just a simple statement of fact. They were not shouted or screamed but softly stated by a person who was at peace in themself. Rather than burning-off her energy in anger and resentment, Rosa’s state of peace provided the catalytic energy for change. Her peace and courage would go on to have a profound impact upon the world in which she lived.

In her last interview with the Montgomery Advertiser in 2000, Rosa said, "God sat with me as I remained calm and determined not to be treated with less dignity than any other citizen of Montgomery.”

We all have an impact on our part of the world, whether that is as big as a nation-wide movement or simply in the way we relate to one other human being. I believe that whatever the choice available to us, we can use it mindfully, use our energy wisely and fuel our actions with peace.