[From the archive] Imagine a world where PEACE rules everything
would we be able to create a true peaceful world?
Goodmorning, as I look outside I see the sea, the sun is shining and it is a beautiful January day… In some countries they call this third Monday of January Blue Monday, but here it is mainly blue skies and butterflies ;-)
The last week I have been contemplating the idea of war as I was reading books and watching movies about several major wars in the last hundred years. And as I was preparing a new blog, I realised that I must have been writing about it before. So therefore I am giving you an article from the archive…
In the meanwhile I am contemplating how to continue my corner on the internet, I have some amazing ideas for this year.
To be continued, I wish you a wonderful (Blue) Monday, love Irene
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Imagine a world where PEACE rules everything
Do you know the meaning of your name? Here in Greece name days are more important than birthdays. And even though today is my birthday, I want to tell you a bit more about the meaning of Irene (or in Greece Irini or Eirene). Irene is the goddess of Peace and as I am sometimes contemplating my life I wonder if there is a reason my parents gave me this specific name.
Creating peace
As I truly believe that nothing happens without a reason, I think my name is the blueprint for the life I am creating. Because I am always looking for peace. Peace in myself, in my relationships with others and in the world in general. This last thing is somewhat big you might say, but I guess that if you are able to find peace in yourself, you will find peace around you. Like it is with love, it is attractive and contagious.
Peace starts within
Peace starts within, but it is possible that it isn’t there all the time. I have been an angry girl for a long time. Life was upsetting me from the moment I was a teenager. I just didn’t know how to be at peace with the world around me. And I wasn’t at peace with myself. I wasn’t aware of the fact that I could choose to do things my way, I just played along with everyone else. I just did what ‘they’ did and thought everything would be fine in the end. And there the fighting came. I was fighting my life, always arguing with people, never really enjoying anything I did.
Fighting with life
I wanted to be just ‘like them’. But the truth is, I am not. I was born in a family of four siblings and my older sister and younger brother were very social. In my memory they always had a lot of friends, with whom they were going out and having fun. That’s where I got the idea that was what life was supposed to be. So I wanted to create this for myself as well. But I didn’t really feel at ease with it, I’d rather stayed at home and read a book. For years I tried to be that girl, that woman. But since I realised I need different things from life, I am becoming more peaceful. That won’t say I am peaceful all the time, but as life proceeds, I am more at peace with who I am and how I (want to) life my life.
A peaceful world
I regularly think about the fact that there is still so much war in the world, but as I was researching this topic I came across an article that gave me some insight in the reasons why there is less war in the world than ever before. It also states that in the beginning of mankind, there were hardly any wars. People fought with each other, but mainly on a personal level. They didn’t involve groups in their conflict. Historians say they just had an argument and went on with their days.
Why do we go to war?
I have always wondered why people want to go to war. I have read a lot of books about the last 2 World Wars and I have never understood the idea why people wanted to kill a group of other people. Why did they feel so superior? I always think about the dictators and what they have missed in their lives that they want to destroy groups of people or want to take over another country. These men must be completely crazy I always thought (and still think by the way).
A normal condition?
But it seems a normal condition for men to want to go to war, it is just in their genes. They need to let go of steam, so they start fighting, states the article. And the reason there is less war since a couple of decades is the increasing amount of men doing sports. They can let go of steam on the sports field and therefore they are more at peace. I can relate to that, because when I get really angry, I go running and after half an hour my mood is completely shifted. Still, I am not a man en don’t have the testosterone they have, but it works for me anyway.
We are the same
If we want a world full of peace, we have to start to be more peaceful in ourselves. For me the idea of us being separated from each other because we look different or speak a different language is the strangest thing in the world. I see it everywhere I go. You’re always an outsider when you don’t speak a language or look or behave different. And that is not just when you go to another country, this can happen in the country you’re born too.
See the other for who he or she is
Let’s start by seeing ourselves and each other by what we are: spiritual beings trying to create a human life. And if you don’t believe in spirits, you still are a human being trying to do the best things to live your life. And when that is not always easy for you, imagine what it would be for your brother, neighbour or boss. Or the presidents running a country. Of course you want them to be perfect, but in the world we have created I think it is pretty difficult to be and create the best for all people living in the country you rule.
Be happy, wherever you are in life
In the process of writing this article I had a long conversation with a guy I just met. We were talking about life and about the fact that he was lucky enough to learn to be at peace with who he is from a very young age. He asked me why it had taken me so long to get there. For years I would have felt judged or insulted by his question. But now I know, this was the journey I had to take. I had to go through the depths and shit to get where I am now. And even though it might have taken me 44 years. I am very happy where I am right now.