Peace Messenger?

Growing up, I was surrounded by constant low grade conflict, both at home, and the countries I lived in. My parents had a “Cold War” relationship and I was highly aware of the underlying tension between them.

In Tanzania, I grew up near the Ugandan border during Idi Amin’s violent dictatorship. We were surrounded by the local army and unrest was palpable in the area.

While in Zaire, my parents had a suitcase ever ready for us, in order to cross the river into the French Congo if we needed to flee. Again, political tensions ran high in the country.

At the age of ten, we moved to Zimbabwe, right after Independence. Here again, the military was present everywhere and there was a curfew in town. Many areas were out of bounds due to terrorists still being active. Once more, this constant feeling of danger shaped the background of daily life.

The deep sense of peace during my holidays in Switzerland were a welcome respite from growing up in countries subject to political unrest.

Later on, I experienced tensions closer to home, with my partners.

From the outside, it certainly looks like I have had many “failed” relationships. Yet I have learnt so much from each one, as they taught me how to reach greater inner peace. This, in turn, has changed all my other existing relationships into very beautiful, peaceful and joyful ones.

Obviously I am no saint, yet I notice that with time and practice, it gets quicker and easier to pop back into your peaceful centre.

In hindsight, it makes total sense for me to be a peace messenger. I first had to experience a lack of peace, in order for me to learn not only to value it highly, yet also to create it, within and around me, learning to teach this to others.